REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1190335
Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Period Ended 31 December 2022 for Knepp Wildland Foundation
Auguste + Auguste 1 Dukes Passage Brighton East Sussex BN1 1BS
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Period Ended 31 December 2022
Knepp Wildland Foundation
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 5 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 to 12 |
Knepp Wildland Foundation
Report of the Trustees
for the Period Ended 31 December 2022
The Trustees of the Knepp Wildland Foundation present their annual report and unaudited accounts for the period ended 31st December 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
This report covers:
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Structure, governance and management
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Objectives and activities
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Achievements and performance
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Financial review
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Future plans
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Knepp Wildland Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales on 9th July 2020 (Charity Number 1190335).
The Registered office is Knepp Castle Estate Office, West Grinstead, Horsham, RH13 8LJ. The CIO is not known by any other name.
The CIO is governed by a constitution and its trustees are:
| Dr Anthony Malcolm Whitbread | Chair | |
|---|---|---|
| Isabella Elizabeth Nancy Tree | Trustee | |
| Sir Charles Raymond Burrell Bt | Trustee | |
| David Anthony Green | Trustee | |
| Helen Chapman | Trustee | (Appointed 1 February 2022) |
The CIO has no corporate trustees.
The CIO commits to the recruitment and appointment of at least one new charity trustee in the next reporting period, based on election to post by the current trustees.
In Spring 2022, we took the significant step in hiring our first staff member to act as Director of the Foundation. Libby Drew was appointed with a background in managing non-profit startups and experience in building successful social and environmental campaigns. She is charged with further developing the three-year strategy, establishing a portfolio of high-impact projects, and setting up a strong delivery team.
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OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objects of the CIO are:
• To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment; and/or
• To promote for the benefit of the public, the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by promoting biological diversity.
Our charitable activities are:
1. Land management for nature conservation
Including instigating new nature recovery projects elsewhere in the UK, including through land purchase for rewilding.
2. Habitat restoration
Extending habitat restoration work to parts of the estate currently outside the rewilding project, including fencing to protect valuable habitats, and creation of additional wetland habitats.
3. Species reintroduction and reinforcement
The reintroduction and reinforcement of species missing from our landscape.
4. Supporting wildlife education
Community outreach, including providing experience in nature conservation for young people at Knepp.
5. Wildlife survey, recording and research projects
Ongoing wildlife surveys and recording work associated with important natural breeding populations within the Knepp rewilding project.
6. Contributing to the national nature conservation debate
Including participation and conducting workshops and conferences at Knepp.
MISSION AND ORIGIN
The Knepp Wildland Foundation was founded to galvanise nature recovery across Sussex and beyond, contributing to our global effort to reverse our biodiversity crisis. We were established to harness evidence, knowledge and inspiration from the pioneering work of Knepp to support nature recovery at scale, with a particular focus on communities, corridors and the next generation.
Established in 2021, we have set out to invest in nature education, research, reporting, and landscape-scale recovery. This year marked the initiation of our charitable activities within these strategic pillars and the first stages of team development.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
In our inaugural year of delivery we have brought over 200 young people to Knepp as part of a range of training and engagement activities. During the summer months, we ran a series of field skills courses in collaboration with Operation Wallacea.
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CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES (continued…)
Over 100 students took part in ecology training at Knepp with 1-2 week courses covering a range habitat and species surveys. The feedback from the young people was excellent, with many saying that this was the first time they had come across certain native species and that, for others, it was the first time they had been able to apply their classroom learning to a natural habitat. The courses were intended to be self-sustaining, with income generated from course fees covering training expenses and catering. We were also able to extend our facilities to include camping tents, a sizable training tent, and compost toilets. These additions not only helped to facilitate safe and accessible outdoor training this year but will also reduce the cost of training delivery in the future.
In the autumn, we hosted a youth-led summit, "Resurgence." Organised in collaboration with Heal Rewilding and Young Wilders, this event brought together another 100 young individuals from across the UK, offering seminars, guided walks into Knepp Wildland, and group activities. "Resurgence" centred around the theme of "access to nature" and shed light on the significant barriers faced by young people when connecting with natural landscapes. Our aspiration is for this event to become an annual gathering, creating a network of young individuals, amplifying their voices, and harnessing their valuable potential.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
For the year ended 31 December 2022, there was a surplus of £70,343 (2021: £9,555)
There was a balance of £79,898 of unrestricted funds (2021: £9,555) and £nil of restricted funds (2021: £nil).
The trustees seek to maintain sufficient reserves to ensure the smooth ongoing day to day operations of the charity.
CREATING CORRIDORS
As part of our commitment to landscape recovery, we are engaged in the launch of an aspirational initiative, Weald to Waves, aimed at creating and connecting a 100-mile ribbon of natural habitat for wildlife across Sussex, from the ancient forests of the High Weald to the restored kelp forests off the Sussex coast.
With much of the large-scale nature recovery projects led and funded by the government or national organisations, there is a need for bottom-up land manager led initiatives. 89% of Sussex is farmed, and that is reflective of the huge role farmers and land managers play in nature recovery. Weald to Waves is made up of a group of farmers and land managers who see the value in working together to restore nature at scale and enhance nature-based solutions to poor soil and water quality, managing flood water and preparing for climate shocks.
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CREATING CORRIDORS (continued…)
To date, seven large farms and estates have committed to being part of the corridor, collaborating on land projects and data sharing, and exploring ways to facilitate species movement between habitats on their farms and estates. The next stage will be engaging those who hold land between these sites and encouraging them to work in tandem. This initiative calls for comprehensive, integrated thinking across landscapes, communities, and sectors and, if successful, could become a template for community-driven landscape
RIVER RECOVERY
Rivers play a pivotal role as corridors in landscapes. Unfortunately, water quality in Sussex is currently poor, with a myriad of sewage outlays, run off from roads and farms and the impact of embankments and development over time to facilitate housing, trade and navigation. We've lost significant stretches of wetlands and saltmarshes, along with the associated species and habitats.
The Knepp Estate, located in the headwaters of the River Adur, previously initiated a successful river restoration project on-site. In early 2022, DEFRA introduced a funding opportunity for large landscape recovery projects, designed to pilot the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS). In collaboration with the Upper Adur Farmer cluster and catchment-wide partnerships, we worked with 27 farmers along the Adur to submit a substantial bid, with the aim of remodelling the river and developing a financial and legal framework for funding, governing and sustain its recovery. In late summer, we received the news of our proposal's success, one of only ten river pilots chosen in the UK. This £500,000 two-year pilot will encompass 750 hectares of land and will be managed in collaboration with the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust, the Sussex Wildlife Trust, and Horsham and Adur District Councils. We eagerly anticipate commencing work on this project from January 2023.
SECURING FUNDING FOR IMPACT
Alongside the success of our ELMS grant, we are thrilled to have started to receive public donations this year towards our youth engagement and landscape recovery work. Our vision for the Foundation is to remain agile and responsive while ensuring its resilience and sustainability through a mix of funding and revenue streams. Public giving does, and always will, play an essential role in this endeavour. Over the year, we received donations totalling £128,827. A significant proportion, £100,000, was generously contributed as an unconditional donation by one of our trustees, enabling us to hire our first staff member and establish a sustainable reserve account. We also received community contributions directed towards Weald to Waves, and a £1,500 grant from Skylark coffee supporting the Resurgence summit. In the coming year, we aim to cultivate new relationships with partners, trusts, and foundations who share our vision and values, expanding our outreach and impact.
Our trustees play an ambassadorial role in promoting the mission and vision of the Foundation. During this and their wider work, they often decline any offered speaker fees and suggest that, instead, a donation is made towards the work of the Foundation. Any donation received in this way is given freely and without conditions or the provision of services by the charity.
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FUTURE PLANS
In 2023, we have set the following ambitious goals:
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Appointment of Delivery Team : We aim to appoint a small, agile delivery team to effectively execute our mission.
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Establish Our Identity and Platforms : We will build a strong online presence to reach our target groups, influence decision-making, and effectively communicate with communities.
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Roll-out Weald to Waves : We will establish a viable route map and robust mechanisms for land managers to develop environmental land plans and join the corridor.
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Launch Adur River Recovery : We will support land planning and landscape modelling across all 27 farms along the Adur, engaging ecologists to record baseline data for future habitat and species impact assessments.
5 . Sharing Knepp's 21 Years of Data : We intend to publish key data from Knepp's 21 years of rewilding, providing accessible knowledge to those engaged in conservation, land management, and community advocacy.
- Increase Youth Access to Green Skills and Nature : We plan to expand our youth engagement work, launching a youth bursary scheme to provide opportunities for young people from less affluent families to connect with nature and conservation.
The Knepp Wildland Foundation remains unwavering in its commitment to nature recovery, landscape connectivity, and the dissemination of accessible environmental data and education. With the invaluable support of our early donors in 2022, we are on track for a transformative 2023, contributing to more sustainable and connected landscapes and communities across Sussex and beyond.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity number 1190335
Principal address
Estate Office Knepp Castle West Grinstead HORSHAM RH13 8LJ
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 29.10.23 and signed on its behalf by:
C Burrell - Trustee A Whitbread - Chair
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Knepp Wildland Foundation
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of the Knepp Wildland Foundation
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Knepp Wildland Foundation (the Trust) for the period 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Auguste + Auguste 1 Dukes Passage Brighton East Sussex BN1 1BS
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Knepp Wildland Foundation
Statement of Financial Activities
for the Period Ended 31 December 2022
| Statement of Financial Activities for the Period Ended 31 December 2022 |
|
|---|---|
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Notes Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities 4 NET INCOME RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds at brought forward TOTAL FUNDS AT CARRIED FORWARD |
Year ended Period ended 31.12.2022 31.12.2021 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ £ 116,927 11,900 128,827 26,376 - 49,911 49,911 - 46,584 61,811 108,395 16,821 |
| 70,343 - 70,343 9,555 |
|
| 9,555 - 9,555 - |
|
| 79,898 - 79,898 9,555 |
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Knepp Wildland Foundation
Balance Sheet
31 December 2022
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 9 CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank and in hand Prepayments CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 6 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted funds 7 TOTAL FUNDS |
Year ended 31.12.2022 Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 16,238 - 16,238 68,299 - 68,299 536 - 536 (5,175) - (5,175) |
Period ended 31.12.2021 Total Funds £ - 11,277 - (1,722) |
|---|---|---|
| 63,661 - 63,661 |
9,555 | |
| 79,898 - 79,898 |
9,555 | |
| 79,898 - 79,898 |
9,555 | |
| 79,898 - 79,898 |
9,555 | |
| 79,898 - 79,898 |
9,555 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 29.10.23 and were signed on its behalf by:
A Whitbread - Chair
C Burrell - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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Knepp Wildland Foundation
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period Ended 31 December 2022
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Going Concern
The Trustees have reviewed the Financial Position of the Foundation and consider that the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate. There are no material uncertainties in relation to the going concern status of the Foundation.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Plant and equipment - 20% on cost
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Knepp Wildland Foundation
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period Ended 31 December 2022
2. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the period ended 31 December 2022.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the period ended 31 December 2022
| Year ended 31.12.2022 £ 3. INCOME Donations 128,828 Charitable activities 49,911 178,738 4. EXPENDITURE Charitable Activities 66,091 Support Costs (See note 5) 42,304 108,395 5. SUPPORT COSTS Legal / Professional Fees 990 Accountancy Fees 3,208 Office Costs 367 Bank Charges 117 Staff costs 34,167 Travel 169 Depreciation 3,287 42,304 6. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Accruals 2,472 Creditors 2,477 Social Security 226 5,175 |
Period ended 31.12.2021 £ 26,376 - |
|---|---|
| 26,376 | |
| - 16,821 |
|
| 16,821 | |
| 14,208 1,617 911 85 - - - |
|
| 16,821 | |
| 1,722 - - |
|
| 1,722 |
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Knepp Wildland Foundation
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Period Ended 31 December 2022
| 7. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net | |||||
| At | movement | At | |||
| 01.01.2022 | in funds | 31.12.2022 | |||
| £ | |||||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General fund | 9,555 | 70,343 | 79,898 | ||
| Restricted funds | |||||
| New Generation (New Gen) | - | - | - | ||
| Landscape Recovery | - | - | - | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 9,555 | 70,343 | 79,898 | ||
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | |||||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |||
| resources | expended | in funds | |||
| Unrestricted funds | £ | £ | £ | ||
| General fund | 116,927 | (46,584) | 70,343 | ||
| Restricted funds | |||||
| New Generation | 51,411 | (51,411) | - | ||
| Landscape Recovery | 10,400 | (10,400) | - | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 178,738 | - | 108,395 |
70,343 | |
| 8. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES | ||||
| Charles Raymond Burrell & Isabella Elizabeth Nancy Tree | |||||
| Trustee | |||||
| Joint donation of £100,000 | |||||
| Isabella Elizabeth Nancy Tree | |||||
| Trustee | |||||
| Donation of £1,500 | |||||
| Charles Raymond Burrell | |||||
| Trustee | |||||
| Donation of £5,000 |
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Knepp Wildland Foundation
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period Ended 31 December 2022
| 9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Plant and equipment COST £ At 1 January 2022 - Additions 19,525 At 31 December 2022 19,525 DEPRECIATION At 1 January 2022 - Charge for year 3,287 At 31 December 2022 3,287 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 December 2022 16,238 At 1 January 2022 - 10. STAFF COSTS 31.12.22 £ Wages and salaries 29,885 Social security costs 3,510 Other pension costs 772 34,167 The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: 31.12.22 Employees 1 |
Totals £ - 19,525 |
|---|---|
| 19,525 | |
| - 3,287 |
|
| 3,287 | |
| 16,238 | |
| - | |
| 31.12.21 £ - - - |
|
| - | |
| 31.12.21 - |
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
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