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2025-03-31-accounts

Registered in England & Wales, No. 01495108 Registered Charity No. 280422

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Head Office 17 Great George Street Bristol BS1 5QT T: 0117 917 7270 www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Registered Office Folly Farm Centre Stowey, Pensford Bristol. BS39 4DW T: 01275 331590 www.follyfarm.org

1

Contents Trustees and Comrnittee rnembers Welcome Report of the Trustees Nature's recovery Empowering people Naturtrbased solutions About Avon Wildlife Trust {Purpose, Structure and Governance) Acknowledgements li 17 Financial Review 19 Compliance (including Statement of Trustees. Responsibilities) Independent auditor's report Financial Statement8 21 Consolidated statement of financial artivities 26 Consolidated and charity balance sheets Consolidated cash flow statement and net movements in funds Accounting policies Notes to the Financial Statements 29 Professional Advisors 47 TheAvon Wildlife Trust Group The Annual Report and Financial Statements refer to The AvonWildlifeTrust Group,. This term is used to indude Avon Wildlife Trust and Folly Farm Centre Limited. Further details about the Trust's subsidiary and related companies are given on pages li and I

Avon Wildlife Trust is deeply grateful to those who volunteer to support our work in their roles as trustees and committee members.

Lara Burch Chair Martin Lyne Ross Fairley Dominic Hogg Karen Hills Sumita Hutchison Kate Leahy John Zac Nicholson Nathan Rutter Mark Steer Rebecca Burgess 6[th] Nov 2024 Ped Asgarian 6[th] Nov 2024 Martin Lyne Chair Lara Burch Kate Leahy Rebecca Burgess 6[th] Nov 2024 Sumita Hutchison Ross Fairley Chair Dominic Hogg Deputy Chair John Zac Nicholson Karen Hills Nathan Rutter Ped Asgarian 6[th] Nov 2024

Ian Barrett, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (to 8[th] November 2024) Nigel Wilson, Interim CEO (November 2024 March 2025) Leah McNally, CEO (from 3[rd] March 2025) Jane Davis, Director of Finance and Resources (to 31[st] May 2025) Rob Hill, Director of Finance and Operations (from 1[st] June 2025) Julie Doherty, Head of Communities and Engagement Sam Warren, Head of Commercial Steve Williamson, Head of People and Resources Xuela Edwards, Head of Fundraising, Membership and Communications (to 23[rd] May 2024) Katie Burfitt, Head of Development (from 15[th] July 2024)

These financial records reflect the steps the charity has taken towards reaching our strategic goals and targets for 2030, and the broader economic climate we are operating within.

This has been a year of significant progress towards our goals, thanks to unwavering support from our members, local people, partnership organisations and funders, and the tireless dedication of our staff and volunteers.

with more opportunities to connect people with nature (page 10)

Our first paid traineeships for the Pollinator Pathways project joined the team this year. The project offers guidance to landowners, businesses, farmers, and community groups, to access support with surveys, and receive habitat management advice (page 10)

Leah McNally joined as Chief Executive in March 2025, bringing a wealth of experience from previous roles, including most recently as Director of Learning, Youth and Communities at London Wildlife Trust.

As part of our Team Wilder community organising approach, our pioneering Ecological Advisory Service made 100 site visits this year. We also celebrated the successes of the Somer Valley Nextdoor Nature project and the amazing work of our 22 Wildlife Champions in their neighbourhoods (pages 7 and 8)

,

and the financial climate remains tough, but we continue to inspire, and be inspired by, our community of action.

Our work this year showcased the power of connection, bringing people, resources, and ideas together to boost biodiversity at both a community and landscape level.

Most of our funding is donated by our members, funders and supporters. Due to planned work on designated fund projects, associated with work on our nature reserves including the ongoing issue of ash dieback, the Trust had a deficit in the year. Our cash reserves remain healthy, and we are well placed to continue our work towards a future with nature thriving for everyone.

The Wilder Woodlands project enhanced and created habitat for dormice and lesser and greater horseshoe bats, with some very promising results for all species (page 6).

Our goal to see more land managed for nature took a huge leap forward with the acquisition of Ebdon Farm , a 44-hectare former dairy farm in North Somerset. This is one of our most ambitious plans to date,

Chair of Trustees Chief Executive

In the year to March 2025, we continued to deliver our 2020-2030 strategy (summarised on pages 6 to 10); all with the vision of bringing wildlife back to abundance.

Read our full 2020 - 2030 strategy document here: www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/our-vision

As we reach the mid-point of our strategy, we will review progress and refresh and update our strategy, to present an updated document in the next annual report.

To advance environmental protection and improvement for wildlife especially but not exclusively in the area formerly known as the County of Avon.

habitats, and increase species abundance.

To connect people with nature and help them take action for wildlife where they are.

Nature is recovering on a grand scale, and everyone is able to enjoy increasingly abundant wildlife.

Our vision for 2030

We need to make more space for nature to give our struggling wildlife the chance to recover. We will create , connect and restore a diverse range of abundantly wild places and form thriving nature recovery networks across the region.

By 2030 we want to see 30% of land and sea managed for the benefit of wildlife

What we achieved in 2024/25

These activities facilitated the ongoing management and improvement of the mosaic habitat, providing food for wildlife and improving connectivity between areas of existing habitat.

Our vision for 2030

The science shows that if just one person in every four takes action for wildlife, this can be enough to change the minds and behaviour of the majority, which will help to put nature into recovery.

What we achieved in 2024/25

Our evaluation showed that 92% respondents felt they were empowered to make decisions about their local community, and 80% respondents took action for nature beyond the project activities, such as in their garden.

local nature groups, projects and events, giving more local people the opportunity to activity packs, resources, webinars and support from our community ecologist. We commissioned a beautifully illustrated map leaflet showcasing community groups and their events. On the day, 36 community events led by local people, were held across Bristol and Bath. Over 550 people attended, with 90% of groups reporting that they met new people from their community during the event.

staff support highly at both mid-term and final evaluations and citing feelings of empowerment through network building.

We will increase the support we provide, and the number of Wildlife Champions we

Our vision for 2030

We want to restore and create good quality habitat to draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reduce local flooding and promote an abundance of biodiversity.

What we achieved in 2024/25

Attenborough, Avon Wildlife Trust is the largest locally focused environmental conservation charity in the Avon region. We are dedicated to conserving the whole range and diversity of local wildlife, including all species of plants and animals, together with the habitats and natural landscapes that support and sustain them. We are also part of the national federation of 46 Wildlife Trusts which cover the British Isles and jointly benefit from the support of over 900,000 members.

Avon Wildlife Trust has legal interests in a number of related companies.

Folly Farm Centre Limited (Registered company no. 06538712) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust, formed to run the award-winning residential environmental learning, conference and events centre in the Chew Valley. This 250-acre nature reserve also operates as a wedding and conference venue and education facility for schoolchildren.

Folly Farm Centre Limited is owned and operated by Avon Wildlife Trust with the help of a Board of Directors that includes at least one Avon Wildlife Trust Trustee and the Chief Executive of the Trust. Profits generated at Folly Farm are gift aided to Avon Wildlife Trust to support our charitable activities. All Folly Farm transactions are consolidated with transactions in the group accounts.

The Trust is a member, and can appoint one Trustee to the Board, of the Bristol Natural History Consortium (BNHC) registered charity 1123432 and registered company 06472186.

The primary aims of the Consortium are to promote public interest in the natural world and to encourage the development of improved techniques for communication about the natural world. The Trust contributes to the core costs of BNHC (£5,000 in both 2024/25 and 2023/24). In addition, Avon Wildlife Trust received £14,950 of income from BNHC in 2024/25. See note 11 for further financial details.

The Trust has a place on the BNHC Board with the other company members. Leah McNally, Avon Wildlife Trust Chief Executive Officer is the current Avon Wildlife Trust trustee of BNHC. The activities of the Consortium are taken forward by a Steering Group representing the partners of the Consortium, which also includes the BBC Natural History Unit, the Universities of Bristol, Bath and West of England, Defra, National Trust, Natural England, Bristol City Council, BANES, the Woodland Trust and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

The Trust is a corporate member of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) , incorporated by Royal Charter and registered charity 207238, formed and owned by a federation of the 46 Wildlife Trusts covering the UK.

The Trust contributed £44,425 (£43,670 in 2023/24) to the operating costs of RSWT in return , and for the promotion of co-operation and best practice between the Wildlife Trusts nationally. The Trust its two highest decision-making bodies (Council and Forum), but remains entirely independent in terms of its own governance.

In the 2024/25 financial year, the Trust paid a total of £86,577 to RSWT (including the £44,425 contribution to operating costs), and received £79,897 in income.

The Trust is also a founding member of South West Wildlife Fundraising Limited (SWWFL) with Devon Wildlife Trust, Dorset Trust for Nature Conservation Limited, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. SWWFL is a company limited by guarantee, company number 08529465. It provides membership recruitment services to members of SWWFL and other Wildlife Trusts.

The Trust has the right to appoint a director to the SWWFL board. The Director of Finance and Operations is all communications between that Member and the Company. Membership recruitment services costing £213,533 were provided to the Trust in the current year (£125,906 in previous year).

Avon Wildlife Trust has dual registration as a charity regulated under charity law, registered charity number 280422, and as a company (registered company no. 01495108) regulated under company law.

The governing instrument of the Trust is its Memorandum and Articles of Association as amended by any special resolution at a General Meeting of Trust members. Copies of these are available on request.

Avon Wildlife Trust is deeply grateful to the generous contributions of time and professional expertise given by our Trustee Board. This body has full responsibility for the strategic development and direction of the Trust and takes all decisions on matters of Trust policy.

Two Trustees retired during the year, Ped Asgarian and Rebecca Burgess and we thank them for their support and hard work. Two new trustees are being recruited, and will be appointed

at the next AGM. We look forward to working with them over the coming years. New trustees are provided with an induction to the Trust and its work.

A record of t

.

During 2024/25 the Board was supported by two Committees (Governance and Finance and Resources), and by the Health and Safety Management Group. The Board also occasionally set up short-term task groups to look at specific issues and policy areas. The Committees have a specified membership of Trustees and operate within terms of reference, remits, rules and specific limits of delegated authority approved directly by the Board. The Board receives the minutes of every meeting of the Committees and task groups.

All to advance environmental protection and improvement for wildlife especially, but not exclusively, in the area formerly known as the County of Avon.

Access to our nature reserves is free for the public, all year round. In some cases, access or numbers may be restricted in numbers seasonally because of the sensitivity of wildlife or to ensure visitor safety. This year, Ash Dieback disease made many areas unsafe and we invested in signage and communications to ensure volunteer, visitor and staff safety.

We deliver an extensive programme of public events, activities and services which we make accessible to the widest range of people and promote through a variety of media.

Many of our events and resources are available free or at a reasonable price to help cover costs or support fundraising. In this year we substantially increased the number of free community organising approach www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/team-wilder

The Trustees are therefore satisfied that the Trust meets the public benefit test required of charities.

Passion We behave with belief and passion for the cause, recognising the urgency required to tackle the ecological and climate emergencies.

Inspiration We recognise our role in enabling, empowering and inspiring all people to take action for nature.

Innovation We know that to achieve change we must use our initiative, push boundaries and challenge ourselves to improve our knowledge and understanding.

Avon Wildlife Trust:

Manages 888 hectares of key wildlife sites as nature reserves.

Avon Wildlife Trust manages its strategic risks through the use of a risk management policy, and risk register. The Trustees and Senior Leadership Team routinely complete risk assessments to identify strategic risks. The Trustees also routinely review the risk register to ensure all risks are being monitored. Each strategic risk has an owner, and a set of risk mitigation plans to reduce either the likelihood or impact of each particular risk. The Governance Committee of the Board periodically reviews the risk policy, the risk register and receives regular reports on performance.

In addition, the Trust has:

The current strategic risks of the organisation are assessed as:

  1. Fundraising. Insufficient funding to achieve strategic aims

  2. Fundraising. High level of short term project funding, and lower levels of longer term programme funding

  3. Staff turnover. Loss of institutional memory

  4. Health and Safety. Incident to a member of the public or staff member at one of our sites.

  5. Nature reserves infrastructure. Lack of investment in nature reserves, due to insufficient funds leads to health and safety incident.

  6. Project delivery. Insufficient capacity to deliver high profile, large timebound projects.

  7. Event delivery. Lack of staff capacity at Folly Farm and other venues to deliver pre-paid events.

  8. Data protection. Poor cybersecurity leads to loss of member data.

The Chief Executive has delegated authority from the Board for the overall development, management and operations of the Trust within the strategic framework and policies set by the trustees.

The Chief Executive is supported by Directors and Heads responsible for teams of staff focusing on:

The Chief Executive, Directors and Heads comprise the Senior Leadership Team which meets Executive, the Senior Leadership Team has delegated authority for dealing with all operational matters within the policy framework set by the Board.

Since the Trust was founded in 1980, our work has been made possible thanks to the generosity of our loyal members and supporters. Avon Wildlife Trust needs to fundraise to deliver the majority of our work with wildlife. The figures in this report set out our investment in fundraising and the grants, donations and gifts in Wills received in this year. This section provides more detail about our approach to fundraising and key activities. We welcome enquiries from anyone who would like to learn more Fundraising@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Our members and supporters are extremely important to us and we take steps to ensure that they have a positive, friendly experience when they are kind enough to donate and take action for nature. All our staff share a love of wildlife with our supporters and our fundraising is built around working together to bring wildlife back. We invite, and very much appreciate, the financial support that helps reach our shared goals.

Membership is an important part of the whole Wildlife Trust movement. We believe in the strength in numbers that membership brings, and the regular income donated from our members is critical to running the charity. Formal membership of the Trust is open to everybody. We have deliberately kept the minimum annual donation low so it remains accessible, particularly to families, so that children can learn about nature. Membership of Avon Wildlife Trust is not about receiving personal benefit as we do not charge entry fees for our nature reserves. Many members, including our Patrons, choose to donate at a higher level to make a difference to wildlife and we are sincerely grateful for their kindness.

New members are welcomed by the Trust through our website, national campaigns delivered by The Wildlife Trusts, and by our membership recruiters. Our recruiters are employed and managed by South West Wildlife Fundraising Limited (SWWFL), which operates on a not-forprofit basis and represents the Trust at events across Avon throughout the year. There are more details on SWWFL in the Jointly owned companies section on Page 12.

SWWFL is a Wildlife Trust-owned company and shares our passion for wildlife and commitment to high standards for supporters. They pride themselves on the exceptionally low level of complaints received and their regular positive feedback which we monitor. This high standard is achieved through quality training which includes a specific focus on protecting vulnerable people, supportive management, and an understanding that they act as ambassadors in the community.

Rightly, fundraising is well-governed and we take our compliance seriously. To reflect our commitment to best practice, the Trust is registered with The Fundraising Regulator. Through this, we pledge that our fundraising is legal, open; honest and respectful. You can read more here www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk.

We work with integrity and uphold the strict standards and guidelines set out by industry bodies including the Chartered Institute of Fundraising www.ciof.org.uk/about-us/what-westand-for/excellent-fundraising/compliance

Our Fundraising team is trained in the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and supporter information is held securely and correctly used for the purposes that permission was given such as membership. Our valued members and supporters are also protected by the Direct Debit guarantee if they choose to donate in this way.

In our work with the grant-makers, whose transformative role in our work with wildlife is clear in our accounts, we reflect that same commitment to be legal, open, honest and respectful in our applications, reporting, evaluation reporting and in meeting the terms of our formal grant agreements. published on our website www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/how-we-are-run/oursupporter-care-charter

In line with the Trusts ambitious strategic goals, we continue to pursue a fundraising strategy of growing income to support more delivery. Fundraising works alongside every part of the charity, including other income-generating activities such as sales from our plant nursery, to support our vision for a future where nature is recovering on a grand scale, and everyone is able to enjoy increasingly abundant wildlife.

We aim to respond to fundraising complaints within a week and wherever possible complaints are seen as opportunities for the Trust to learn and to develop deeper relationships with our supporters, based on trust and integrity.

Avon Wildlife Trust was founded by volunteers and volunteers continue to be an integral part of the trust their generous commitment of time and dedication.

Portishead which inspire and inform local communities about the wonders of wildlife, with some actively improving nature sites through the region.

Our partnerships with farmers and graziers bring enormous benefit to our work.

our year-round work on reserves and provide the stability that safeguards places and species over the long-term. The confidence that members show the charity through their regular gifts enables us to develop and secure further funding for specific projects.

vital work to a broader audience.

Gifts given to benefit wildlife in Wills, and in memory, mean a great deal to us. We would like to formally express our sincere gratitude to everyone who chooses to include Avon Wildlife Trust in their lasting wishes. As this report shows, your generosity is far-reaching.

We truly value the support of charitable trusts, foundations and grant-makers to help reach

Thank you to all of the individuals and community groups who shared their time, their stories, and their passion for nature which inspired others to take action.

We would like to thank everyone who chose Folly Farm for conferences and weddings this year and to everyone who planned their employee engagement days with nature in mind.

Our generous landlord at Great George Street enables us to invest more of our income on conservation activities.

The Bristol Post provides us with a weekly column to champion the value of nature to their readership.

Thank you also to the local businesses that lend us space to promote membership.

Airbus National Lottery Reaching Communities Aviva National Lottery Heritage Fund Bath & North-East Somerset Council Natural England Banister Charitable Trust Natural England Species Recovery Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership Programme Bristol City Council Osborne Clarke Bristol Masons Patagonia 1% for the Planet Burges Salmon South Gloucestershire Council Defra SO-MA Trust Ecological Restoration Fund Enovert Community Trust The Ernest Cook Trust Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group The Nisbet Trust Garfield Weston Foundation The Pople Charitable Trust Halpin Trust West of England Combined Authority Mendips Farming in Protected Landscapes Wessex Water National Lottery Community Fund Climate Action

The Trust made a deficit of £568k in the year compared with a surplus of £17k in the previous year, this is primarily due to:

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2024/25 2023/24
Unrestricted (deficit)/surplus (281) 152
Designated (deficit)/surplus (261) (221)
Restricted (deficit)/surplus (26) 86
Total (deficit) / surplus (568) 17
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As a result, the net assets of the Avon Wildlife Trust Group decreased to £8,391k from £8,959k at the previous year-end. Of this value, £6,238k (£6,326k in 2023/24) are heritage assets , primarily our nature reserves. In financial terms, these are not assets that we can convert to an equivalent in cash. For example, in our Unrestricted designated funds we list £825k which is the value of land at Goblin Combe which was gifted to the Trust and which we are not planning to sell.

Donations and legacies (see note 2) increased slightly from £1,045k to £1,165k. Membership subscription income increased by 5% from £870k to £913k, representing 39% (35% in 2023/24) of unrestricted income in the year and 29% of total income (24% in previous year).

Income from charitable activities (note 3) decreased from £1,683k to £1,192k in 2023/24. The decrease is due to a reduction in grant income. The income from charitable activities represents 38% (46% in 2023/24) of our total income.

Expenditure (note 5) on charitable activities increased from £2,300k to £2,447k in 2023/24, and represents 66% of total expenditure. General fundraising expenditure decreased from £664k to £640k in the year.

Folly Farm Centre generated a profit of £61k, down from £75k in the previous year. A donation from Folly Farm to Avon Wildlife Trust of £73,263 was made (from the 2023/2024 profit).

Balance sheet (Page 27) The Trust continues to have a strong balance sheet. The net current assets of the group remains are £1,663k, down from £2,216k last year (at 31 March 2024). The reduction in assets is primarily due to a reduction in designated funds.

Restricted funds

The Trust has many restricted funds as shown in notes 16 and 17. These funds represent revenue funding for ongoing projects, appeal funds or fixed assets held by the Trust. At 31 March 2024 the value of these restricted funds had decreased slightly to £6.0m (from £6.1m at 31 March 2024). This is primarily the value of land and property donated or purchased from restricted funds.

Designated funds

The Trust holds designated funds represented by land (£825k) as well as funds, mainly from legacies, totalling £1,874k. This has reduced by £261k from £2,135k at 31[st] March 2024. The reduction is due to expenditure on planned activities to support strategic opportunities and for work to improve infrastructure on nature reserves and to mitigate the risks of Ash dieback (See note 18).

Financial reserves

decreased from £774k to £493k at 31 March

2025, and of these £137k (£403k in 2022/23) are free reserves (see note 17).

cover of expenditure rather than a fixed-target value. Based upon the 2025/26 budget, this requirement would be (£429k £858k in 2024/25).

This Report has been prepared in compliance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, and the trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance on Public Benefit issued by the Charity Commission.

Act 2006 and has been prepared under the exemptions conferred by Part 15 of this Act. In addition, the Report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS 102) issued by the Accounting Standards Board and the Charity Commission.

The trustees (who are also directors of Avon Wildlife Trust for the purposes of company law) , in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the charitable company and that enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The members of Board who were in office on the date of approval of these financial statements have confirmed, as far as they are aware, that there is no relevant audit information of which the auditors are unaware. Each of the members of the Board has confirmed that they have taken all steps that they ought to in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that it has been communicated to the auditor.

The Report of the Members of the Board was approved by the Board on 30 September 2025 and signed on their behalf:

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Trustee ___ Trustee ___
Lara Burch Martin Lyne
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5, which comprise the consolidated Statement of Financial Activities, the consolidated Balance Sheet, the charitable company Balance Sheet, the consolidated Statement of Cash flows and the notes to the financial statements. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

In our opinion the financial statements:

This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the parent charitable company and the parent company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in section of our report. We are independent of the group and the parent charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, filled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

21, the trustees (who are also the directors of the parent charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees and directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

and parent charitable CoMpan￿S ability to continue as a going coJ)cern. di5c105in& as applicable, matters related to going Concern and using the going-concern basis of accountin& unle55 the trustees either intend to liquidate the group or the parent charitable company or to coase operations. or have no realistlc 31tern2tive but to do $0. Auditor's respons1b￿ltleX forthe audit of the financial statenwrtl Our oblectlves are to obtaln reasonable a55urance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement. whether due to fraud or error. and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS (UK) will always detert a material mi55tstement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered materlal if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to Influence the economic decisions of users tsken on the basls of these financlal statements. Irregularlties. including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulatlons. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above. to detect materlal misststements in re5pert of irregularities. including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting Irre8ularities. including fraud 15 detailed below: An understandin8 of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the charitable company was obtained from the rnanagement and the trustees ofthe charltable company. The audit team was confirmed to have the appropriate competence and capabilities to identity non- compliance wlth the framework The audit plan considered the risk of irregularities. includin8 fraud. An •l•m•nt of unprèdictability was built into our sarnpl• sol•ction for audit tests. The risk of fraud over income was mltigated to an acceptable level as most of the income Is elther legacy income. rnembership income. grant income, or donations that are pald directly Into the charitable compan￿5 bank account: cash donations are insignificanL We agreed a risk-based Sample of income to relevant documentation, performed understatement iests on Income, and performed analyrical procedure5 on Incorne. The rlsk or misappropriation of the charitable company's assets was considered: the charlty's herttage assets of land and bulldlngs represent 74% of its total net assets and the risk of mlsappropriation Is low; the charitable company's bank account balances were tested and confirmed to relevant documentation.. and expenditure was tested for validity by substantive tests that included analytlcal procedures. Accounting estimates were considered as part of our audit work A fvrther description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at . This description fornis part olour audit reporL srEPHEN BURNSIDE (Senlor Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of . Burnside Chartered Accountants 61 Queen Square, Bristol. BSI 4IZ Date:

Note Unrestricted
funds
Designated
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
£
£
£
£
£
Income and endowments
from:
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Other trading activities
Folly Farm Centre
Limited trading
Fundraising including
local groups
Other income
4
Total		 1,124,757
258
40,070
1,165,085
1,045,366
428,079
-
763,641
1,191,720
1,683,285
710,832
-
-
710,832
788,248
4,291
-
-
4,291
25,460
63,470
-
-
63,470
86,046
2,331,429
258
803,711
3,135,398
3,628,405
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Folly Farm Centre
Limited trading
5
General fundraising
5
Charitable activities
5&16
Total
5		 616,403
-
-
616,403
646,815
640,137
-
-
640,137
664,428
1,309,308
223,169
914,643
2,447,120
2,300,261
2,565,848
223,169
914,643
3,703,660
3,611,504
Net Income / (expenditure) (234,419)
(222,911)
(110,932)
(568,262)
16,901
Transfers between funds (47,159)
(38,034)
85,193
-
-
Other recognised gains:
Net contribution/increase in
investment value attributable to
Bristol Natural History
Consortium
11		 -
-
-
-
-
Net movement in funds (281,578)
(260,945)
(25,739)
(568,262)
16,901
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 774,342
2,134,828
6,050,032
8,959,202
8,942,301
Total funds carried forward
17		 492,764
1,873,883
6,024,293
8,390,940
8,959,202

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

A comparative statement of financial activities is included in note 1.

Note Group
2025
Group
2024
Charity
2025
Charity
2024
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
8
Heritage assets
9
Investments
11
Investment - restricted
12
Total fixed assets		 326,158
356,323
191,599
193,054
6,237,702
6,326,233
6,237,702
6,326,233
-
-
1
1
113,534
113,534
113,534
113,534
6,677,394
6,796,090
6,542,836
6,632,822
Current assets
Stocks
Debtors
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets		 5,071
5,595
-
-
508,346
661,322
464,018
610,794
1,850,806
2,204,675
1,477,789
1,904,026
2,364,223
2,871,592
1,941,807
2,514,820
Liabilities
Creditors:
Amounts falling due within one year
15		 650,677
708,480
278,408
397,945
Net current assets 1,713,546
2,163,112
1,663,399
2,116,875
Debtors:
Amounts falling due after one year
14		 -
-
-
12,215
Total net assets 8,390,940
8,959,202
8,206,235
8,761,912
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
designated
18
Unrestricted funds
general
17
Unrestricted funds
investments
11
Restricted funds
16 & 17		 1,873,883
2,134,828
1,873,883
2,134,828
492,764
774,342
308,058
577,051
-
-
1
1
2,366,647
2,909,170
2,181,942
2,711,880
6,024,293
6,050,032
6,024,293
6,050,032
Total funds
18		 8,390,940
8,959,202
8,206,235
8,761,912

The notes on pages 31 to 46 form part of these accounts

These accounts were approved by the Board on 30 September 2025.

____ Trustee _____ Trustee Lara Burch Martin Lyne

Note Group
2025
2025
£
£		 Group
2025
2025
£
£		 Group
2024
2024
£
£		 Group
2024
2024
£
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (281,065) (23,672)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Fixed assets
8
Heritage assets
9
Investment - restricted
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		 (51,467)
(21,337)
-		 (72,804) (241,216)
(74,603)
(113,534)		 (429,353)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		 - - 28,185 28,185
Cash and cash equivalents
Increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
during the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the
reporting period		 (353,869)
2,204,675
1,850,806
2025
£		 (424,840)
2,629,515
2,204,675
2024
£
Net movement in funds (568,262) 16,901
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Fixed assets
(Profit) / loss on disposal of fixed assets
Depreciation charges
Heritage assets
(Increase)/ decrease in stocks
(Increase) /decreasein debtors
Increase/ (decrease) in creditors		 81,649
-
109,868
524
152,976
(57,820)		 46,132
(14,495)
95,092
(843)
44,512
(210,971)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (281,065) (23,672)

a) Basis of accounting

The Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charity Commission Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by provisions of 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 Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (effective 1 January 2019).

The Trustees confirm that the Charity is a public benefit entity.

The Trustees and management have a reasonable expectation that the Trust will be continuing to operate for at least 12 months after the signing of these accounts and remains a going concern. The accounts have therefore been prepared on a going concern basis.

b) Group accounts

The Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) and Balance Sheet consolidate the financial statements of the charity and its subsidiary undertakings. The result of the subsidiaries are consolidated on a line-by-line basis.

The charity has availed itself of Paragraph 4(1) of Schedule 1 of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and adapted the Companies Act formats to reflect the special parate SOFA has been presented for the charity alone as permitted by Section 509 of the Companies Act 2006 and paragraph 397 of the SORP.

c) Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

d) Fund accounting

Funds held by the charity are: Unrestricted funds

Designated funds these are unrestricted funds set aside by the trustees for specific purposes; Restricted income funds these funds have been given to the Trust for a particular purpose to be used in accordance with the wishes of the donor.

e) Incoming resources

Legacy income is included in the accounts when entitlement has been established, the amount due can be quantified with reasonable probability, and the timing of the receipt is known with reasonable certainty.

Donated assets have been included in the SOFA at a reasonable estimate of their value, taking into account the market value of the assets and comments made by the donor.

Grants receivable are accounted for when there is sufficient information to enable the claim to be made or the claim has been made and there is clear indication to suggest the claim will be met.

Volunteer help the trust receives support from a wide variety of volunteers. It is not practical to place a value in the accounts on the time volunteered by all these persons, due to the variety of duties performed, the differences in time spent, and the sheer number of volunteers who gave of their time.

Membership income is taken to the Statement of Financial Activities over the life of the subscription, taking into account the type of membership involved.

Incoming resources income from investments, Gift Aid and deeds of covenant is included gross, and is accounted Income Tax claimable at the year end.

f) Resources expended

These are recognised in the period in which they are incurred and include attributable VAT that cannot be recovered.

Membership recruitment fees are billed in the year of recruitment, but are charged in the SOFA over 12 months to match the income generated.

General overheads

Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost is clearly identifiable as relating to that activity. General overheads are apportioned to activities in proportion to the staff costs related to each area of activity.

Operating leases

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the SOFA as incurred over the term of the lease.

g) Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost of all fixed assets, other than freehold land, by equal instalments over their expected useful lives. The periods (in years) generally applicable are:

h) Heritage assets

Heritage assets are assets of historical or scientific importance that are held to advance the preservation, and education at either a national or local level. Freehold nature reserves are included in heritage assets at their acquisition costs and are not revalued or depreciated. The charity aims to preserve and enhance its nature reserves, which are not held for their resale potential. The market value of the reserves is of no practical relevance The cost of leasehold nature reserves are amortised over the period of the lease.

i) Mixed Motive Investments

A mixed motive investment is an asset held by the charity that provides a financial return but also contributes to

The Charity has invested in the rights to biodiversity units in a collaborative scheme with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and EnTrade. The funds invested will potentially create a financial return to the Charity that can be used to generate further Biodiversity Units, which have a commercial value, as well as providing a direct environmental impact. Mixed motive investments are initially valued at cost but the subsequently re-valued to fair value.

j) Stock

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net-realisable value.

k) Pension costs

Pension costs are charged based on amounts due for the year (see note 19).

1. Prior year statement of financial activities

For the year ended 31 March 2024 Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
2024
£
£
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Folly Farm Centre Limited trading
Fundraising including local groups
Other income
Total		 1,019,950
200
25,216
1,045,366
610,791
-
1,072,494
1,683,285
788,248
-
-
788,248
25,460
-
-
25,460
86,046
-
-
86,046
2,530,495
200
1,097,710
3,628,405
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Folly Farm Centre Limited trading
General fundraising
Charitable activities
Total		 646,815
-
-
646,815
664,428
-
-
664,428
1,109,343
147,185
1,043,733
2,300,261
2,420,586
147,185
1,043,733
3,611,504
Net Income / (expenditure) 109,909
(146,985)
53,977
16,901
Transfers between funds 42,542
(74,603)
32,061
-
Other recognised gains:
Net contribution/increase in investment value
attributable to
Bristol Natural History Consortium		 -
-
-
-
Net movement in funds 152,451
(221,588)
86,038
16,901
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 621,891
2,356,416
5,963,994
8,942,301
Total funds carried forward 774,342
2,134,828
6,050,032
8,959,202

2. Donations and legacies

2. Donations and legacies
Membership income
Donations & Donations in kind
Appeals
Legacies
Total		 Unrestricted
funds
Designated
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
2025
Total funds
2024
£
£
£
£
£
912,987
-
-
912,987
869,797
116,515
-
31,076
147,591
81,310
16,759
258
8,994
26,011
20,086
78,496
-
-
78,496
74,173
1,124,757
258
40,070
1,165,085
1,045,366

3. Charitable activities

Delivery programmes
Management of nature reserves
Wilder Woodlands
Biodiversity projects
Living Landscapes programme
Nature Based Solutions
My Wild City
Local Partnership working
Learning
Team Wilder projects
My Wild Child
Grow Wilder project
Other support
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
2025
Total funds
2024
£
£
£
£
£
111,031
-
118,378
229,409
262,489
-
-
89,742
89,742
311,026
-
-
51,963
51,963
53,787
-
-
25,000
25,000
25,000
-
-
48,093
48,093
205,679
-
-
-
-
85,553
112,814
-
-
112,814
103,594
87,744
-
-
87,744
89,442
5,000
-
430,465
435,465
349,085
-
-
-
-
41,000
98,490
-
-
98,490
149,780
13,000
-
-
13,000
6,850
428,079
-
763,641
1,191,720
1,683,285

4. Other income

Other income including interest received
Profit on disposal of fixed assets
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
2025
Total funds
2024
£
£
£
£
£
63,470
-
-
63,470
71,555
-
-
-
-
14,491
63,470
-
-
63,470
86,046

5. Summary analysis of expenditure

Folly Farm Raising
Centre Limited funds Charitable Support and Total funds Total funds
trading General activities Governance 2025 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £
Staff costs (Note 7) 151,238 268,952 1,665,672 - 2,085,862 1,811,348
Conservation & Nature Reserves - - 298,474 - 298,474 653,866
Fundraising, advertising and
publications		 - 289,880 3,831 610 294,321 256,863
Folly Farm Centre development - - 75,181 - 75,181 75,180
Depreciation 31,965 148 59,178 17,210 108,501 66,072
Legal and professional fees 11,315 - 28,896 21,768 61,979 20,818
Partnership working - 8 - 51,549 51,557 43,670
Premises costs - - 5,672 12,643 18,315 184,837
Catering, Conference & Activity
Costs		 153,033 - - - 153,033 146,953
Office and administration 268,852 - - 236,921 505,773 346,582
Governance - - - 50,664 50,664 5,315
Subtotal 616,403 558,988 2,136,904 391,365 3,703,660 3,611,504
Reallocate Support and
Governance		 - 81,149 310,216 (391,365) - -
Total 616,403 640,137 2,447,120 - 3,703,660 3,611,504
Total resources are stated after charging: Total funds
2025		 Total funds
2024
£ £
Audit 15,295 10,901
Other services including tax advisory -
Depreciation
tangible and heritage assets		 191,517 141,224

6. Trading subsidiaries

The Trust is the beneficial owner of shares in one wholly owned subsidiary, Folly Farm Centre Limited, a company incorporated in the UK. The Trust did not expend any funds in obtaining these interests.

Folly Farm Centre Limited

The purpose of the subsidiary is to operate the restored buildings at Folly Farm, which are owned by the Trust, as an environmental learning, conference and events venue. Commercial activities include the hosting of day and residential conferences, meetings and social functions. In addition, the Centre provides school, youth, adult and people about wildlife.

The company continues to pay rent to the Trust for use of the buildings and adjoining area, and any profits generated by the company will be transferred as a charitable donation to the Trust. This income will provide an additional source of unrestricted income that the Trust can apply to projects and activities in furtherance of its charitable purpose. A summary of the results for Folly Farm Centre Limited (before the consolidation adjustments that have been made to the figures in the SOFA) is shown below:

Folly Farm Centre Limited

Profit and loss account 2025 2024
for the year ended 31 March 2025 £ £
Turnover 741,564 781,319
Cost of sales (284,167) (273,684)
Gross profit 457,397 507,635
Overheads and administration (401,461) (437,137)
Other operating income - -
Operating (loss)/profit 55,936 70,498
Interest received 5,573 5,531
Interest payable and similar charges (619) (1,408)
(Loss)/profit before taxation 60,890 74,621
Tax on profit - -
(Loss)/profit for the year 60,890 74,621
Balance sheet 2025 2024
at 31 March 2025 £ £
Fixed assets 134,547 163,270
Net current assets/(liabilities) 53,730 46,026
Total assets less current liabilities 188,277 209,296
Creditors falling due after more than one year 3,583 12,229
Total 184,694 197,067
Capital and reserves
Called-up equity share capital 1 1
Profit and loss account 184,693 197,066
Total 184,694 197,067

There are legal contracts in place between Avon Wildlife Trust and Folly Farm Centre Limited:

The Avon Wildlife Trust Group for the year ended 31 March 2025 includes the consolidation of our subsidiary, the Folly Farm Centre Limited. It also includes the Bristol Natural History consortium (BNHC) as an associated undertaking.

7. Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel

management personnel
Group
Wages and salaries
Pension costs
Other staff costs		 2025
2024
£
£
1,716,285
1,459,947
143,629
136,639
82,999
71,568
142,949
143,194
2,085,862
1,811,348

The trustees were not paid nor did they receive any other benefits from the charity or its subsidiaries in the year (£nil in 2024). No expenses were reimbursed to the trustees during the year (£nil in 2024).

The key management personnel of the parent charity, The Trust, comprise the Senior Leadership Team. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the Trust were £438,220 (£392,574 in 2023/24).

The key management personnel of the Avon Wildlife Trust Group comprise the Senior Leadership Team of the Trust and that of its wholly owned subsidiary Folly Farm Centre Limited. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the Avon Wildlife Trust Group were £438,220 (£392,574 in 2023/24). One employee earned between £70k and £80k and one between £60k and £70k in the year (in 2024, one employee earned between £70k and £80k and one between £60k and £70k).

The average number of employees in the Avon Wildlife Trust Group in the year was 52 (2024: 48).

Many employees work part-time, and the following table sets out full-time equivalents (FTE) and analysis by function:

Delivery programmes
Support staff
Folly Farm Centre Ltd
Total		 2025
2024
39.3
35.3
8.5
8.2
3.8
4.5
51.6
48.0

8. Tangible fixed assets

Office
Office Freehold equipment & Motor
improvements improvements machinery vehicles Computers Total
£ £ £ £ £
Group
Cost
At 1 April 2024 - 223,981 104,675 154,725 34,588 517,969
Additions 18,834 2,165 15,528 - 14,957 51,484
Disposals - - - - - -
At 31 March 2025 18,834 226,146 120,203 154,725 49,545 569,453
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024 - 71,479 52,337 16,025 21,805 161,646
Charge for year 3,281 21,812 19,511 29,174 7,871 81,649
Disposals - - - - - -
At 31 March 2025 3,281 93,291 71,848 45,199 29,676 243,295
Net book value
At 31 March 2025 15,553 132,855 48,355 109,526 19,869 326,158
At 31 March 2024 - 152,502 52,338 138,700 12,783 356,323
Charity
Cost
At 1 April 2024 - 11,634 32,974 154,725 34,588 233,921
Additions 18,832 - 14,435 - 14,957 48,224
Disposals - - - - - -
At 31 March 2025 18,832 11,634 47,409 154,725 49,545 282,145
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024 - 524 2,546 15,992 21,805 40,867
Charge for year 3,281 1,163 8,190 29,174 7,871 49,679
Disposals - - - - - -
At 31 March 2025 3,281 1,687 10,736 45,166 29,676 90,546
Net book value
At 31 March 2025 15,551 9,947 36,673 109,559 19,869 191,599
At 31 March 2024 - 11,110 30,428 138,733 12,783 193,054
9. Heritage assets
Nature reserves Improvements to Folly Farm
nature reserves development Total
Cost £ £ £ £
At 1 April 2024 3,477,391 755,366 3,859,606 8,092,363
Additions - 21,337 - 21,337
Disposals - - - -
At 31 March 2025 3,477,391 776,703 3,859,606 8,113,700
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024 65,370 409,993 1,290,767 1,766,130
Charge for the year 6,537 28,151 75,180 109,868
Disposals - - - -
At 31 March 2025 71,907 438,144 1,365,947 1,875,998
Net book value
At 31 March 2025 3,405,484 338,559 2,493,659 6,237,702
At 31 March 2024 3,412,021 345,373 2,568,839 6,326,233

on a long-term basis. The Trust is responsible for ensuring that the reserves are properly managed in order to: conserve and enhance the special wildlife interest within these sites;

Access to our nature reserves is free for the public, all year round. In some cases, access or numbers may be restricted in numbers seasonally because of the sensitivity of wildlife or to ensure visitor safety. This year, Ash Dieback disease made many areas unsafe and we invested in signage and communications to ensure volunteer, visitor and staff safety.

The Trust owns a freehold interest in the following nature reserves at 31 March 2025:

Hutton Hill Hutton Hill
Cleeve Heronry* Littleton Brick Pits* Tickenham Hill
Burledge Hill Folly Farm_(see below)_ Walborough
Charfield Meadow* Goblin Combe Purn Hill Weston Big Wood
Clapton Moor (New Farm) Hellenge Hill Puxton Moor Weston Moor

*Mostly these properties are included in the Balance Sheet at their original cost of purchase. However, no value has been included for the four sites shown above with an asterisk. They are small nature reserves together covering 4.74ha (11.70 acres) of land which were gifted to the Trust. They have a small capital value and, in the opinion of the Trustees, the cost of valuation would be disproportionate to the value of the assets.

the major development project there.

Improvements to Nature Reserves are depreciated over their expected lives (10 to 50 years). Improvements will include access for all paths, fencing, signs, ditches and drainage, sewage treatment, etc.

During the year the Trust also managed 8 other properties under agreements with landowners.

10. Fixed assets held in restricted funds Depreciation

As a result of the Trust's past extensive investment in fixed assets (held in restricted funds in the Trust's accounts as set out in note 16), there is a significant annual depreciation charge on restricted assets that is included in the Statement of Financial Activities each year as resources expended on restricted funds. This depreciation charge amounted to £117,037 in the year ended 31 March 2025 (£95,771 in 2024) and has been magnified by the Trust's extensive investment in Folly Farm. This is shown in the Statement of Financial Activities and can be analysed as follows:

2025 2024
£ £
Net Fixed Asset Movements in restricted funds (103,639) 133,089
Net Current Asset Movements in restricted funds (68,626) (47,051)
Net Incoming / (Outgoing) Resources Restricted funds (172,265) 86,038

The annual depreciation charge reduces the value of the restricted fund asset balances in the Balance Sheet as in note (g) of the Accounting Policies.

11. Fixed assets Investments

Subsidiaries

During the year the Trust was the beneficial owner of shares in one wholly owned trading subsidiary, Folly Farm Centre Limited and one jointly owned associated company, Bristol Natural History Consortium.

Associated company - Bristol Natural History Consortium

Avon Wildlife Trust is a member of the Bristol Natural History Consortium (BNHC) (registered charity 1123432) and registered company 06472186) and can appoint one trustee to the Board. BNHC is a charitable company limited by guarantee and operated by Avon Wildlife Trust in partnership the other company member, Bristol Zoo Gardens. The Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 were approved by the Trustees of BNHC in September 2025.

During the year ended 31 December 2024, BNHC generated a surplus of £26,819 (2023 deficit of £12,811). At 31 December 2024 the charity had net assets of £86,554 (2023 £59,735) and free reserves of £36,554 (2023: £56,235).

During the year, Avon Wildlife Trust contributed £5,000 as a membership subscription to BHNC (£5,000 in 2023).

12. Fixed assets Investments - Restricted

During 2023/24 the Trust purchased a mixed motive investment, the rights to buy 7.137 biodiversity units from the Bristol Avon Catchment Market. The funds invested will potentially create a financial return that can be used to generate further biodiversity units, which have a commercial value, as well as providing a direct environmental impact. These units could not be sold before July 2024.

On sale of any rights to biodiversity units, funds will be spent on the development and operation of the Catchment Market, or on nature-based solutions projects generating environmental credits in Avon and Wiltshire if the market were to end.

The rights to biodiversity units were purchased in July 2023 and the cost and fair value are deemed to be materially the same at the year end.

13. Debtors amounts falling due within one year

Grants and fees receivable
Prepayments
Other debtors
Loan to Folly Farm Centre Limited		 Group
Group
Charity
Charity
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
204,069
383,584
204,069
383,584
87,954
70,038
62,914
47,327
216,323
207,700
184,820
161,700
-
-
12,215
18,183
508,346
661,322
464,018
610,794

.

14. Debtors amounts falling due after one year

Group Group Charity Charity
2025 2024 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Loan to Folly Farm Centre Limited - - - 12,215

Avon Wildlife Trust made a loan on commercial terms to Folly Farm Centre Limited of £43,160 on 8[th] April 2021 and of £28,640 on 3[rd] March 2022. Monthly repayments are £719.32 and £795.96 respectively.

15. Creditors amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Other creditors and accruals
Taxation and national insurance		 Group
Group
Charity
Charity
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
174,883
198,187
117,553
171,661
459,012
461,933
160,008
193,556
16,782
48,360
847
32,728
650,677
708,480
278,408
397,945

----- Start of picture text -----
16. Restricted funds
Group and Charity 1 Apr Incoming Resources 31 Mar
2024 Resources Expended Transfers 2025
Revenue funds
-
Blines / Living Landscapes 24,896 37,925 (42,742) 20,079
- - -
Grow Wilder Projects 12,971 12,971
Avon Gorge Project 10,000 - - - 10,000
Bennett's Patch and White's Paddock 19,395 - (8,324) 2 11,073
- -
Justin Smith Endowment Fund 1,320 (45) 1,275
- - -
My Wild City 4,888 4,888
My Wild Child 26,757 - (20,658) 1 6,100
Wellbeing through Nature 6,381 500 (6,520) 2,970 3,331
Newbridge Slopes 15,000 - - (15,000) -
- - -
Save our Badgers 9,747 9,747
Fursman to support Bristol work 23,912 - - (3,500) 20,412
Nailsea Wetlands 21,666 - - - 21,666
Hutton Wood & Orchard 11,000 - - (4,000) 7,000
Land Purchase 125,000 - - - 125,000
- -
Bristol Avon Catchment Market (BACM) 84,857 (21,514) 63,343
BACM Investment in units 113,534 - - - 113,534
- - -
Clifton Garden Society 3,250 3,250
- -
Legacy J Allan 8,130 (2,640) 5,490
Beaver Project Fundraising 20,983 10 - (1) 20,992
- -
GW Engagement Hub 42,528 (7,828) 34,700
Team Wilder 905 17,255 (15,616) 1 2,545
Ecologist in Residence 19,615 38,500 (44,756) 5,799 19,158
Wildlife Champions 2,478 129,906 (132,384) - -
- - -
Goblin Combe Tree Project 6,029 (6,029)
- -
Goblin Combe Bat project 47,787 (4,949) 42,838
- -
Tractor Depreciation Fund 121,713 (24,755) 96,958
Youth Work Early Years 35,000 33,563 (20,230) (14,000) 34,333
TWT Ecological Restoration 5,163 48,093 (27,115) 1 26,142
Warmley Nature Action Zone 984 40,932 (47,674) 5,758 -
Seed Fund - 8,994 - - 8,994
Grow Wilder 2 - - - 25,000 25,000
WiC2 Funding - 15,000 - - 15,000
Youth (CLAF) - 45,346 (38,662) - 6,684
Wilder Mendip & Hellenge - 10,400 (11,119) 16,903 16,184
DEFRA Peatlands - 47,614 (34,264) (1) 13,349
Pollinator Pathways - 68,874 (61,678) 9,715 16,911
Next Door Nature & Somer Valley - 120,393 (114,428) (5,965) -
Wilder Woodlands - 89,742 (92,192) 2,450 -
Hutton Hub - - (3,229) 3,229 -
Wilder Waterways - 15,000 (16,712) 1,712 -
Ebdon Development - 35,664 (39,230) 3,566 -
Appeal funds
- - -
Summer 15 Appeal 1,262 (1,262)
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Group and Charity 1 Apr Incoming Resources 31 Mar
2024 Resources Expended Transfers 2025
Property improvement funds
- -
Folly Farm sewage treatment 5,800 (232) 5,568
- -
Folly Farm 20,607 (664) 19,943
- -
Folly Farm Access Trail 9,031 (729) 8,302
Willsbridge landfill 300 - (12) - 288
- -
Willsbridge 11,593 (428) 11,165
- -
Clapton Moor (50 Years) 30,214 (947) 29,267
Weston Moor 5,882 - (226) - 5,656
- -
Walborough 3,479 (139) 3,340
- -
Goblin Combe (50 Years) 3,776 (118) 3,658
- -
Weston Big Wood (50 Years) 9,775 (307) 9,468
Puxton Moor 50,934 - (1,601) - 49,333
Nature Reserves Fund 12,684 - (512) - 12,172
HLF Conservation Fund 26,538 - (1,002) - 25,536
Conservation reserves fund 15,111 - (554) - 14,557
-
Folly Farm Centre development 2,366,045 (73,730) 73,263 2,365,578
-
Folly Farm volunteer training base 64,191 (1,447) (2) 62,742
Freehold land and building funds
- - -
Hellenge Hill 86,050 86,050
Puxton Moor 361,529 - - - 361,529
- - -
Walborough 55,000 55,000
- - -
Clapton Moor 185,144 185,144
Weston Moor 333,758 - - - 333,758
Tickenham Hill 28,000 - - - 28,000
- - -
Weston Big Wood 123,572 123,572
- - -
Burledge Hill 48,233 48,233
Purn Hill 25,816 - - - 25,816
- - -
Tickenham Ridge 50,000 50,000
Prior's Wood 238,855 - - - 238,855
- - -
Folly Farm 332,814 332,814
- - -
30,000 30,000
Hutton Hill 425,000 - - - 425,000
Leasehold land and building funds
Bennett's Patch and White's Paddock 263,150 - (8,148) - 255,002
Total 6,050,032 803,711 (914,643) 85,193 6,024,293
----- End of picture text -----

The transfer column in the table above identifies agreed transfers between funds.

The purpose of each fund is as follows: Revenue funds:

B - Lines / Living Landscapes Grow Wilder Project

To survey, conserve, restore and enhance Avon's grasslands To involve the community in growing nature-friendly food and looking after nature

To assess the feasibility of various projects in the Avon Gorge To acquire and create a nature reserve in the Avon Gorge To support apprentice ecologists to continue Justin's passion and knowledge To make Bristol a world-leading, nature-rich city where people are connected to the natural landscape, and wildlife is more resilient to growing challenges One of six Trusts delivering urban forest school education projects To continue wellbeing through nature activities To enhance the land and engage the community with nature To vaccinate badgers against BTB in the Avon area and campaign for vaccination as a viable alternative to culling To support the work of the Trust in the Bristol area To construct a wetland to tackle pollution entering Tickenham, Nailsea and Kenn Moor SSSI. Improvements to Puxton Moor SSSI and nature reserve To create a reedbed in Bathurst Basin with the local community To develop a carbon reduction strategy and action plan To maintain the 28 hectares of wood leased to the Trust by the Woodland Trust To fund future land purchase Working with partners to demonstrate how a nature-based solutions market could work in the Bristol Avon Catchment area.

Avon Gorge Project / Justin Smith Endowment Fund My Wild City

My Wild Child Wellbeing in Nature Newbridge Slopes Save our Badgers

Fursman work in Bristol Nailsea Wetlands

Puxton Bathurst Basin Research Carbon Offsetting Hutton Wood Land Purchase Bristol Avon Catchment Market

Clifton Garden Society Legacy J Allan Beaver Project Fundraising GW Engagement Hub

To purchase and plant trees and wildflowers to create wildlife corridors To support our work with nature particularly with the elderly To help monitor and protect the newly detected beaver population in Avon To establish a new community space to engage and inspire more people to to build a movement of people acting for nature's recovery to provide ecological expertise to support Community Climate Action plans in Bristol to create a peer learning network of local champions taking action for nature's recovery Habitat restoration to improve biodiversity and enhance soil health and reduce flooding downstream A partnership project designed to reduce pesticide use and create a demonstration climate-resilient garden. Habitat creation project focussing on native woodland Encouraging young people to explore, learn and take action for nature Creating and restoring habitats across nature reserves and new areas Engaging and empowering communities to create Community Nature Reserves that link council owned wildlife habitats to form part of a Nature Action Zone To provide match funding to secure future funding To develop the second site at Grow Wilder Continuation funding to create a peer learning network of local champions taking action for nature's recovery

Team Wilder Ecologist in Residence Wildlife Champions Goblin Combe Tree Project WECA Pollinator Pathways

Wilder Woodlands Youth Work Early years TWT Ecological Restoration Warmley Nature Action Zone

Seed Fund Grow Wilder 2 WiC2 Funding

Wilder Mendip & Hellenge

Nature reserve

DEFRA Peatlands Next Door Nature & Somer Valley

Hutton Hub

Wilder Waterways Ebdon Development

To support the development of moor associations in the Gordano Valley Using a community organising approach to increase biodiversity in community neighbourhoods

To establish a new office and community space to engage and inspire more Habitat creation project focussing on native waterways

To support the development of a new Avon Wildlife Trust reserve at Ebdon Farm

Appeal funds:

Summer 15 Appeal

To replace and improve information boards on our reserves

Property improvement funds:

On named reserves Nature Reserves fund HLF Conservation fund Conservation reserves fund Folly Farm Centre Development fund Folly Farm volunteer training base

To enhance land and property at the named locations

To enhance nature reserves owned or managed by the Trust

To enhance the historic landscape and property at Folly Farm

To develop a volunteer training base at Folly Farm

Freehold land and buildings funds:

On named reserves Leasehold land on named reserves

To purchase land at the named locations To purchase land at the named locations

17. Analysis of net assets between funds
Tangible Fixed Assets
Other Net Assets
Total
£
£
£
Revenue funds
Blines / Living Landscapes
20,079
20,079
Feed Bristol project
12,971
12,971
Avon Gorge Project
10,000
10,000
Bennett's Patch and White's Paddock
11,073
11,073
Justin Smith Endowment Fund
1,275
1,275
My Wild City
4,888
4,888
My Wild Child
6,100
6,100
Wellbeing through Nature
3,331
3,331
Save our Badgers
9,747
9,747
Fursman
to support Bristol work
20,412
20,412
Nailsea Wetlands
21,666
21,666
Hutton Wood
7,000
7,000
Land Purchase
125,000
125,000
Bristol Avon Catchment Market (BACM)
63,343
63,343
BACM
Investment in Biodiversity units
113,534
113,534
Clifton Garden Society
3,250
3,250
Legacy J Allan
5,490
5,490
Beaver Project Fundraising
20,992
20,992
GW Engagement Hub
34,700
34,700
Team Wilder
2,545
2,545
Ecologist in Residence
26,142
26,142
Goblin Combe Bat project
42,838
42,838
Tractor Depreciation Fund
96,958
96,958
Youth Work
Early Years
34,333
34,333
TWT Ecological Restoration
26,142
26,142
Seed Fund
8,994
8,994
Grow Wilder 2
25,000
25,000
WiC2 Funding
15,000
15,000
Youth (CLAF)
6,684
6,684
Wilder Mendip & Hellenge
16,184
16,184
DEFRA Peatlands
13,349
13,349
Pollinator Pathways
16,911
16,911
Appeal funds
Summer 15 Appeal
-
-
Property improvement funds
Folly Farm sewage treatment
5,568
-
5,568
Folly Farm
19,943
-
19,943
Folly Farm Access Trail
8,302
-
8,302
Willsbridge
landfill
288
-
288
Willsbridge
11,165
-
11,165
Clapton Moor (50 Years)
29,267
-
29,267
Weston Moor
Walborough
Goblin Combe (50 Years)
Weston Big Wood (50 Years)
Puxton Moor
Nature Reserves fund
HLF Conservation fund
Conservation - reserves fund
Folly Farm Centre development
Folly Farm volunteer training base		 Tangible Fixed
Assets
Other Net Assets
Total
£
£
£
5,656
-
5,656
3,340
-
3,340
3,658
-
3,658
9,468
-
9,468
49,333
-
49,333
12,172
-
12,172
25,536
-
25,536
14,557
-
14,557
2,446,130
(80,552)
2,365,578
62,742
-
62,742
Freehold land and building funds
Hellenge Hill
Puxton Moor
Walborough
Clapton Moor
Weston Moor
Tickenham Hill
Weston Big Wood
Burledge Hill
Purn Hill
Tickenham Ridge
Prior's Wood
Folly Farm
Hutton Hill		 86,050
-
86,050
361,529
-
361,529
55,000
-
55,000
185,144
-
185,144
333,758
-
333,758
28,000
-
28,000
123,572
-
123,572
48,233
-
48,233
25,816
-
25,816
50,000
-
50,000
238,855
-
238,855
332,814
-
332,814
30,000
-
30,000
425,000
-
425,000
Leasehold land and building funds
Bennett's Patch and White's Paddock
Total restricted funds
Unrestricted designated
land at Goblin Combe
Unrestricted designated
legacy
Fundamental LT Fund
Unrestricted designated
Nature Reserves Infrastructure
Unrestricted designated
Ash Dieback
Unrestricted designated
other funds
Unrestricted designated funds
Total
Unrestricted funds
general
Total unrestricted general funds
Total funds		 255,002
-
255,002
5,496,390
527,903
6,024,293
825,000
-
825,000
-
634,170
634,170
-
302,356
302,356
-
49,804
49,804
-
62,553
62,553
825,000
1,048,883
1,873,883
356,004
136,760
492,764
356,004
136,760
492,764
6,677,394
1,713,546
8,390,940

There was a net current liability in respect of the Folly Farm Centre development project of £80,552 (2023/24 £141,905). The deficit arose from a fundraising shortfall on the major project to restore the buildings and historic landscape at Folly Farm. T utilise surplus profit from Folly Farm Centre to transfer back to the Charity. This income will be applied to reduce the deficit.

18. Designated funds

18. Designated funds
Strategic opportunities and development
Landlord repairs
Folly Farm
Reserves Recovery Infrastructure
Ash Dieback fund
Legacy
Fundamental long-term fund
Sub-total designated funds
Land at Goblin Combe
Total designated funds including land		 Group
Group
Charity
Charity
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
17,487
27,777
17,487
27,777
45,066
50,738
45,066
50,738
302,356
340,458
302,356
340,458
49,804
225,237
49,804
225,237
634,170
665,618
634,170
665,618
1,048,883
1,309,828
1,048,883
1,309,828
825,000
825,000
825,000
825,000
1,873,883
2,134,828
1,873,883
2,134,828

Very generous legacies over the last few years were designated for strategic opportunities and development and for fundamental long-term purposes to maintain our nature reserves, buy land, improve infrastructure and invest in the future of the Trust.

19. Pension scheme

The Trust operates a Group Personal Pension scheme for its employees with Aviva. This is a defined contributions scheme, which is managed independently of the Trust. The pension costs disclosed in note 7 represent contributions payable for the year. At 31 March 2025, there were no outstanding pension contributions accrued in respect of employees not yet set up under the pension scheme (£nil in 2024).

Auditors

Burnside Chartered Accountants 61 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4JZ

Solicitors

Burges Salmon LLP One Glass Wharf, Bristol BS2 0ZX

TLT

One Redcliff Street, Bristol, BS1 6TP

Osborne Clarke Halo, Counterslip, Bristol BS1 6AJ

Bankers

Bank of Scotland Community Banking, PO Box 10, 38 St Andrews Square, Edinburgh, EH2 2YR

Co-operative Bank Olympic House, Olympic Court, Montford Street, Salford, M5 2QP

Nat West Bank plc 250 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4AA

Triodos Bank NV Deanery Road, Bristol, BS2 5AS

CAF Bank

25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ

Avon Wildlife Trust Head Office 17 Great George Street Bristol BS1 5QT T: 0117 917 7270 www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Folly Farm Centre & Grow Wilder Registered Office 181 Frenchay Park Road, Folly Farm Frenchay Stowey, Bristol Pensford BS16 1EL Bristol BS39 4DW T: 01275 331590 www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/naturewww.follyfarm.org reserves/grow-wilder