Towards the Millennium
As we entered the last decade of the century and the Trust approached its 21st anniversary we were raising increasingly large sums. Development Corporations were providing capital endowments which had to be invested in order to cover the future management of the woods they passed into the Trust’s care. The fundraising techniques used in Community Forests were adapted for use elsewhere and largely replaced the need for Countryside Commission grants.
The cloud on the horizon was that while we were raising more funds than ever the membership base was static at around 50,000. The country was in recession – although that hadn’t significantly hindered growth in the past. We tried different approaches – changed agencies – all without success. Eventually we undertook research which suggested that lack of involvement in campaigning activity was the reason. That position was not going to change under the current Management Committee. In spite of this the Trust’s annual income from other sources continued to grow, approaching £15million by 1997 – the 25th anniversary. Activity continued to expand in Scotland and lottery funds enabled the Trust to start work in Northern Ireland, finally completing the National Development Programme the I had started 20 years before.
Sometime before the Founders’ death in 1996 I had broached the possibility of ending my contract. The previous year I had received an OBE for services to nature conservation and had been with Trust for almost 20 years. I felt that if I couldn’t initiate the changes I wanted within the Management Committee someone else would have to. It made sense to plan my departure and the Committee agreed. Following my decision to step down, the late Mike Townsend was appointed the Trust’s second chief executive.
Over 25 years the Woodland Trust had acquired 842 woods covering 38,625 acres (15,657 ha) and had 150,000 supporters. Income in 1997 was almost £15 million making it one of the largest charities in the UK at that time