About The Friends

The Friends of Warnham Local Nature Reserve is a registered charity (No. 1171924).

Our aim is to ensure the conservation, protection, and improvement of Warnham Local Nature Reserve for the benefit of both the public and the wildlife.

What we do

Working in close partnership with Horsham District Council who own and manage the Reserve, we:

• Promote the Reserve through displays and road shows
• Meet & greet visitors to the Reserve and collect permit charges
• Manage the Herons Rest café, selling drinks and light refreshments
• Raise funds for specific projects
• Organize and run programmes of events at the Reserve both for the public and for our members
• Host regular evening visits by groups from local youth organisations
• Assist with wildlife surveys

All income raised is used for the benefit of the Reserve.

History

The Friends were originally formed in 2006 when a small group of regular visitors and helpers came together in the belief that an organized volunteer group would be the best way to help the preservation and development of the Reserve.

Membership of the Friends grew year on year and in 2017 we registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organization (Charity No. 1171924)

As a result of our efforts we have secured funding to make a number of improvements to the Reserve. These include the Stag Beetle Loggery, Woodpecker Hide and Sandpiper Hide; the installation of nest box cameras linked to a TV/DVD system in the Visitor Centre, various interpretation boards, and benches in the Butterfly Ride, and part funding for the recently opened Aston Trelford Hide.

We are also part funding the new Discovery Hub project taking place throughout 2019.

Membership

Membership of the Friends costs £10.00 per year and covers all members of the same household. The membership year runs from 1st April to 31st March.

One of the benefits of membership is a reduction in the cost of an annual entry permit to the Reserve,  to £9 for the first person in the household.

To join, please download and print an Application Form, and return to

The Membership Secretary
Friends of WLNR
Warnham Road
Horsham
West Sussex
RH12 2RA

Or complete the downloaded form and email to fowlnr@gmail.com

Or drop it in to the Herons Rest café at the Reserve.

Management

The day-to-day running of the Friends is managed by a Management Committee appointed by a Board of Trustees, who in turn are elected by the membership.

Fundraising

You can support the Reserve in a number of ways.

You can become a member of the Friends, make a donation, or sign up to Give as You Live and donate as you buy online.

You may also wish to consider leaving a bequest to the Friends in your will.

Volunteering

By volunteering you can help the Friends and, in doing so, help the Reserve by giving your time and enthusiasm, whilst at the same time discovering more about the Reserve, its wildlife & its management. Find out more about volunteering.