Charity Registration No 1203720 NATURAL HABITAT ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
LEGAL AND ADMINisfRATIVE INFORMATION Trustees Jonathan Vaughan MBE (Chair) Susan Innes Caroline Shepherdson IrNien Burton Genevieve Rudd Charity number 1203720 Address 3 Cherry Tree Cottage Southwold Road Holton Halesworth IP19 8PW Independent Examiner Jasmin Aktsr Small Works Vauxhall Bridge Road London SWIV ITA
Trustees Report (including Directorfs Report) forthe year ended 31 March 2025 We are pleased to present our annual report and financial statementsfor the year ended 31 March 2025. The financial statements have been prepad in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note I to the financial statements and comply with the charlS Articles. the Cornpanies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in ac¢ordance with the Financia Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 1021" leffective l January 20191. Natural Habitavs objectives and activities: l. To promote for the benefit of the public the consep4ation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by promoting sustainable land use and biodiversity 2. To advance education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment and sustainable land use. The trustees have continued to align our charitsble purposes with ongoing project activity, building momentum on the foundations set within year l. Overview of activity: Year 212024-25) has been a year of meaningful grovrth. impact, and collaboration for Natural Habitat. Through our flagship progrdmme. Weaving Forn, Lond. People & Plonet, we've continued to further environmental educational opportunities. We have strengthened relationships between rural farmers. multi-disciplinary practitioners and dlverse communtties- creating new linked projects. such as Learning From the Lond. and building pathways for connection, learning, and biodiversity action aeross our local landscape. This yearfs activity has been made possible courtesy of generous funding from: SLrffolk & Ess•x, Coasts & Heaths National Landscapes- Farmlns in Protected Land3cape3; supporting the Weaving Farms. Land. People & Planet project
East Suffolk Council's Enabling Communities Budget. supporting the Learnffng From the Land project Suffolk Community Foundation, through the Axtercommunity & Climate Grantmaking Programme,. supporting core costs and the development of ongoing project activity Our Reach This year, we reached 4(Kl individuals through our activities: 265 chlldren from 3 local primary schools 98 adults: 30 regi¢Jnal refugees and asylum seekers 0 15 farmers 50 parents and carers of school chlldren 0 34 teathers 6 partner organisatlon staff We worked with 8 famis, totalling 958.78 hecta$ of land, in¢reasing children and diverse communities. access to local land by 62%. Our Practitioners Ourwork this year was made possible through a communityof diverse practitioners who all support nature, including: 5 Artists, Heritage Cr4fters and a filmmaker 2 E¢ologi5ts l Agroecological Educator l Forager I Chef 15 Farmers and Growers Theircollaboration ensured a rich and varied programme, combining creativity, ecology, and regenerative land-based learning.
Impart Project outcomes included: Increased access to the local landxape We enabled 72 children and 21 refugees to participate in sessions at our farm venues; with the 72 children visiting 3 farms in recurring sessions. Increased skills and knowledge 100% of children gained new skills and knowledge in supporting biodTver5ity, building awareness of environmental issues including carbon storage ..they can take the carbon and put it in the soil to keep our planet cooler., Pupil comment I loved sharing my knowledge about wildlife., Pupil comment While farmerl skills in engaging communities with their land increased by 51% You hove not only munuged to make on impact. you've worked brilliantty with all our pupils of which there are many with vt7rying needs and abilities.... Head teacher Improved wellbeing and feellngs of loy 9 of children and diverse communty participants enjoyed our activities 'Best day EVER. Come back next weekl, Pupil comment With farmers, confidence to host and communicate about their land rising by 35% hi5 ho5 been so positivefor thefom?ets. There ITS so much we can do, and l am reolly keen to do more, especialtysharing thefvmi with those who don't get opportunities to be in nature often." Farmer Participant Our work demonstrates how collaboration between multi-disciplinary prdctitioners. farmers, and communities can create a ripple effect of shared leaming, confidence, and environmental care. Partnershlps We continue to be a member of the local Blyth Communtty Conserrfation Network, sharing resources and opportunities and have gone on to foster severdl new key partnerships that have strengthened our reaeh and will support ongoin8 impact: ASSET Education: run 16 local prlmary $th(lS a(TOSS Suffolk • Wakelyns Fami: vanguard of atroforestry
Suffolk Refugee pport Barleybird CIC: agroecological experts and educators These relationships are e55ential in helping us delr¥er creative, inclusive, and impactful environmental learning acrosssuffolk and beyond. Project Details Weaving Farn)s. Land. People & Planet. 2024 Funded by Suffolk & Esse4 Coast & Heaths National Landxape's branch of Farming in Protected Landscapes. This project began in January 2024, and finished in December 2024, working to connect farms, schools, and refugee organisations to foster environmental learning, and celebrate environmental resilience through diversity in nature, food and communities. The project has enabled collaboration and leaming between Blyth Valley Fami Cluster and diverse public engaging experts. celebrating POSitNe environmental actions, fostering skills, and sharing hands-on learning opportunities with children and the wider public, via rich and varied land management practice5. The project worked with 7 farms, 3 primary schools, and 2 regional refugee organisations, bringing together farmers, artists, ecologists, foragers, and chets to deltver 18 school sessions. 3 landscape connection events, and 2 training programmes. In total, over 172 individua15 took part in 520 attendances, many retuming for multiple session5 to embed learning. "IYS Just been the best. I think all children should get to do this projectso we all know how to look after our environment.- Pupil comment Children participated in preliminary in-school sessions to set the scene for the project, followed by multiple on-fam) visits to build context. Then each Class finished wlth a final in- school Sharing Session, to celebrate their leaming with their peers and parent& Pupils explored everything from soil ecology and biodiversty to food journeys and climate solutions, identifying wildflowers, tssting legumes, planting hedges, and mapping local fami5. his is great you have done so much with the kids and they have learntso much. Thank you, from the bottom of our heorts." Parent comment
Farmers received traininEthrough our own professional development programme with projert practitioners, as well as Linking Environment and Famiing ILEAFI'S CEVAS programme, growing their skills and confidence to safely engage the public, and share their land and knowledge. "Thonk you Carriefvr an excellent doy's training enabling usfvrmers to share ideas, find in5pirt]tion and give us the 'know how. and confidence to help moke the most of sharing our fvrms with the schools., Farmer Participant The project also reached refugees and young asylum seekers through Landscape Connection Events, where participants came together in the Blyth Valley. wtth rural farming communities to cook and share meals made from lo¢ally grown and culturally significant ingredients. They used ingredients from Sudan, Afghanistsn, Iran, and Suffolk: using food as connective tool for storytellin& cultural exchange, and connection to the land. Thank you so muchfvr having us, I have loved thefvraging and Spending time in noture as we don't get murh opportunityfvr countryside., Suffolk Refugee Support aient A Landscape Record film, produced by filmmaker Lewis Wickwar. captured these experiences, hlghlighting the people inVo@d and the ev0ng farmland at this pivotsl moment in climate and farming history. Alongside the film. we developed an educational resource for 14 local schools. filled with creative. hands-on activities to help children understand carbon Storage, biodiversity, and the importance of their local landscapes. -one pupil wentfrom not knowing what a pond is, to understanding what they are, what lives in them, how they support wildlrfe ond how they connect to Suffolws historyl Thays what I call learningl Practitioner comment Funded by Suffolk & Essex, Coasts & Heaths branch of Farming in Protected Landscapes (FIPL), the project has been recognised for its innovation and impact. his is definitely one of the best investments that FIPL has mode in the Suffolk & Essex Coast and Heuth5 National Landscupe." Alex Dinsdale, FIPL Officer Through Weaving Farms, Land. People & Planet. children. farmers. and communities have not only learned about biodiversity, they have experienced it first-hand, contributing to a shared vision of land that nourishes people. wildlife. and hope for the future.
Impact Project outcomes included: Increased access to the local landscape We enabled 72 children and 21 refugees to participate in sessions at our farm venues: with the 72 chIldn visiting 3 farms in recurring sessions. Increased skllls and knowledge I[ of children gained new skills and knowledge in supporting biodNersity, building awareness of environmental issues including carbon storage ..they can take the carbon and put It in the soil to keep our planet cooler., Pupil Comment '1 loved sharing my knowledge about wildlife., Pupil comment While farmerg 5ki115 in engagingcommunities with their land increased by 51% You have notonfy monaged to moke an import, yorfve worked brilliantly with all our puplls of which there ore many with varying needs and abilities.... Head teacher Improved wellbeln8 and feelln8s of joy 98% of children and diverse comrnunity participants enjoyed our activities 'Best day EVER. Come back next weekl, Pupil comment With farmers, confidence to host and communicate about their land rising by 35% his has been $0 pItiVeYor thefvmiers. There is so much we con do. and l am really keen to do more, especiolly sharing theft7rm with those who don't get opportunities to be in noture often.- Fanner Participant Our work demonstrates how collabordtion between multi-disciplinary practitioners, farmers, and communities can create a ripple effert of shared learning, confidence, and environmental care. Partnerships We contlnue to be a member of the local Blyth Community Conseprfation Network, sharing resources and opportunities and have gone on to foster several new key partnerships that have strengthened our reach and will support ongoing impact: ASSET Education: run 16 local prfmary sthools a(xoss Suffolk Wakelyns Farni: vanguard of 38roforestry
Learning From the Land This project emerged off the back of our 2024. Weaving Farms. Land, People & Planet Project and was generouslyfunded by East Suffolk Council's Enabling Communities Budget. During ear 2025 we began a series of in-5chool sessions reaching new pupils. delivering the first eight of twelve planned sessions across East Suffolk primary schools, engaging 93 children, 20 parents and 10 school staff to parti¢ipate in activity. This project has enabled us to begin to collaborate with Wakelyns Farm. using their pool of experienced land practitioners to share insight into agrofore5try and short- chain food and material systems. This is really interesting- I would never have thought of doing this, l am learning tool Parent comment Led by our team of eeologists, growers, artists, and educators. the sessions explored biodiversity, 11 health. sustainable farming, and food systems through creative. hands-on learning. Activities ranged from food miles exploration and sensory soil games to mapping local habitats using 3D animation and drones. "My breakfo5t trovelled 9439 miles to get to myplatel Now I know whatfoods I can swop to help the environment." Pupil comment Pupils developed practical climate care skills and a deepèr connection to their local landscape, with 100% reporting they learned something new. -1 learnt how to grow peas and strowberriesforfood and thatpea5 are clever plantsfor soils. They grow little lumps on their roots [nitrogen nodule5]. Pupil comment The project continues into the next financial year, building on these strong foundations to deliverthe remaining sessions and deepen partnerships between schools, communities, and l¢xal farms.
Executive Directors Ststement Thls has been ourfirst full year of activity, and I'm delighted with the progress we've made. Getting Natural Habitat off the ground has been a huge amount of work, but our wonderful team of diverse practitioners has made a genuine dtfference to the people and communities therfve worked with. This year, we have developed a partnership with the prestigious Wakelyns Fann, which we are already VavIng into our programme of actr¥ity, and I'm deeply grateful for the generosity of ourfundersand the support of our existing partner land venues acr055 the Blyth Valley. In particular, I'm proud of the impact our Weaving Farms, Land, People & Planet project has had, not only on the children and diverse communities r( serves but also in fostering unique opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange amone professionals, helping to make leaming from nature more acssible to all. I'm immensely excited for the year ahead; we have worked closely with Barleybird CIC this year, delivering training and se55ion activity, and are now planning collaborative projects to expand our work with diverse communities into 2025. Carrie Phoenix Trustee Statement: The trustees would like, first and foremost, to recognise the hard work and dedication of the charitvs Executive Director, Carrie Phoenix, in delivering the projects and outcomes described in this report. It is thanks to her land of course also to the practitioners who have worked with and supported her} th3t our first full year of activity has been so successful. The feedback from participants and funders alike has been overwhelmingly positive and we look forward with great excitement to next yeaff s projects. Planning forthese is well undervrdy and some funding has already been granted for activities which will take place during the course of the next financial year. while a number of other funding applications have been submitted. The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Financial review The charity has now been in estenCe for 21 months, and has made good progress in such a short while. A reserves policy has been added to our financial manual, with the charlty maintaining reserves in line with the threshold of 3 months core costs. The charity financial policy regarding budget variance states that the budget for the financial year must be presented by senior management to the Board ofTrustees atthe Annual General Meetin& and that once approved any variance greater than IO% must be reported, explained and fomially approved. Headline figures from the charitys accounts for 2024125 are as follows: £50,047 £47,701 £7,476 Grant and donation income Expenditure on charitable activities Balance carried forward The appropriate Statement Of Financial Activities {SOFAI will be submitted to the Charity Cornmission after external examination of the fijll acwunts. The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to them. Structure. govemance and management Natural Habitat is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with The Charity Commission on 23, June 2023. The trustees who served durlng the year and up to the date of Signatu of the financial statements were: Jonathan Vaughan MBE Susan Innes Caroline Shepherd50n Vivien Burton Genevieve Rudd
The recruitment and appointment of new trustees is agreed by existing trustees at trustee meeting. Trustees may serve for a maximum of three consecutive terms, and may not be re-appointed for a further twelve months after this. The Trustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustee5. Jo than Vaughan Chair of Trustees Date: 17111 Itc
Inde endent Ex 31 Mar mlnerfs re rttotheTru of Natural Hab For th Year en in I report on the accounts of the chanty for Ihe peric¥J ending 31 March 2025 ResPtiVe Responsibilities of Trustees and Examlner The charity's Tn&slees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charivs Trustees consider that an audit is nol required for Ihis Period under section 144{2} of the Charities Ad 2011 (the 2011 Act} aTKI that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act" to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the 2011 Act", and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examinerfs Report My examination was (xrried out in accordan(x with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matter5. The pr(Kedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence Ihat would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion Is given as to whether the accounts present a Yrue and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement bel. Independent Examinerfs Statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (1) which gives me reasonable ¢xuse to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in acccKdance with seclion 130 of the 2011 Act. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not teen met. or (2) to which. in my opinion, attention should bg drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Name.. Ms Jasmin Aktar ACCA Address: Admin Block & Peabody. Vauxhall Bridge Rd, London SW1V 1TA Date: 18 Dec 25
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