Dr Gary Mantle MBE has announced his retirement in the summer after 33 years as Chief Executive of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
At the helm of the trust for more than half the time since its formation in 1962, Dr Mantle has been widely praised for tireless work to create a more sustainable future for wildlife and people.
He has also made a major contribution to conservation nationally and internationally, working closely with other wildlife trusts and forging strong partnerships with many other charities, public organisations and influential people to magnify the impact of the trust’s work.
Sites conserved under his leadership include Hagbourne Copse in West Swindon, Clouts Wood near Wroughton and Royal Wootton Bassett's Echo Lodge Meadows and Morningside Meadows.
Dr Mantle said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to have led the trust for so long.
Together, we have achieved so much. In 1990, the trust had under 3,000 members and just eight staff. Today, we have more than 23,000 members, 26,000 social media followers and nearly 150 staff.
"We have acquired many nature reserves, building up our land under management for nature to more than 1,200 hectares across more than 40 reserves.”
Dr Mantle led the preparation of the trust's new 2023-2030 strategy, whoch can be read at www.wiltshirewildlife.org/strategy
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