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2023-03-31-annual-return

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 1

Foreword ................................................................................................................ 3 Highlights of our year for wildlife ....................................................................... 4 Bringing nature back ........................................................................................... 6 Outcome 1: Nature is in Recovery ........................................................................7 Reversing the decline of key species Restoring and connecting spaces for nature Advocating for nature’s recovery Case Study: Barn owl success at Ballycruttle Farm Outcome 2: More people are taking positive action for ................................13 nature and are benefitting from time spent in nature Engaging young people with nature Inspiring and empowering people to take action for nature Strengthening our membership and volunteer network Case Study: Youth action for nature

Thank you to our supporters.............................................................................24 Plans for the future ............................................................................................ 27 Financial review at 31 March 2023 ...................................................................28 Structure and Governance ...............................................................................30 Articles of Association .......................................................................................32 Key policies and processes ...............................................................................33 Advisors, Senior Personnel and Administrative Details ...............................35 Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Ulster Wildlife Trust ......36 Financial Statements .........................................................................................39

Outcome 3: Nature-based solutions are playing a critical ..........................20 role in addressing the impacts of climate change in Northern Ireland Restoring peatlands for nature and climate Restoring blue carbon habitats and species Case Study: Bringing back native oysters

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Swallow at Slievenacloy Nature Reserve © Ronald Surgenor
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Foreword

During 2022-23, as a charity, we have overcome great challenges to produce extremely positive results for nature, people and climate.

With the introduction of our bold new strategy to 2030 to tackle the nature and climate crises and meet local, regional and international targets, our top priority has been to explore new and innovative ways to scale up our work for nature’s recovery, taking a lead from international best practice and research. From launching our second native oyster nursery at Glenarm and purchasing a peatland restoration demonstration site in Co. Tyrone to securing long-term funding from DAERA to scale up peatland restoration in Northern Ireland – we have started to lay the groundwork for achieving our ambition. This work also allows us to showcase, educate and collaborate on the benefits of nature-based solutions and the role our natural habitats can play in addressing climate change, and benefitting people’s health and wellbeing.

Despite another turbulent year for politics, our campaigning and advocacy work witnessed several notable successes including the historic passing of Northern Ireland’s Climate Change Act, thanks to campaigning by our supporters and fellow environmental charities. We also responded to a procession of consultations and key threats affecting nature, most notably the UK Retained EU Law Bill.

Mobilising and empowering communities to take meaningful action for nature and climate was lifted to new heights with the launch of the ‘Nextdoor Nature’ project in south and east Belfast. Our Youth Forum also continues to grow from strength to strength with public engagement campaigns such as ‘Let Nature In’ helping us achieve our goal of one in four people taking action for nature.

Our work to bring wildlife back gained momentum as we celebrated a successful breeding year for our most iconic farmland bird the barn owl, played a role in introducing red squirrels to Castle Ward Estate, and conducted research showing the phenomenal expansion of pine martens across Northern Ireland. These ’good news’ stories received widespread media coverage and captured people’s hearts and minds, helping to raise our profile and grow our supporter base – more essential than ever if we are to make a real difference.

Of course, none of this work would be possible without the dedication and unstinting efforts of the staff and volunteer team, and our skilled Board Members along with the continued and vital support from our loyal members, supporters, businesses, partners, and funders.

Thank you!

Jennifer Fulton Chief Executive Officer of Ulster Wildlife

Ken Brundle Chair of Ulster Wildlife

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 |

Highlights of our year for wildlife

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© Ronald Surgenor
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April 22

Launched new Strategy to 2030 to ‘bring nature back’

Nature is in crisis and declining at rates unprecedented in human history. Our new strategy for a wilder future by 2030 sets out our vision of a thriving natural world with nature in recovery, where everyone is inspired to get involved, and where wildlife plays a key role in addressing the nature and climate emergencies. Together, and with the support of local communities, businesses, farmers, landowners and our members who stand with us, we are in the best place possible to turn our vision into a reality — and ensure the recovery of our natural world. Read our strategy: ulsterwildlife.org/publications

May 22

Nextdoor Nature launched to empower local communities to help nature flourish

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Nextdoor Nature is bringing people together in south and east Belfast to help nature flourish. We are supporting communities to put their ideas into action and make small changes on their doorsteps that will help put nature into recovery. Microprojects are being brought to life in places where green spaces and access to nature have eroded over time, driven by galvanised communities who are finding a new passion for wildlife.

June 22

Climate Change Act becomes law

After years of campaigning with other environmental organisations, our Youth Forum, the public, and with support from our members, Northern Ireland finally has a Climate Change Act. This was a historic moment – just over two years after the Assembly declared a ‘Climate Emergency’– and is the first-ever legislation in Northern Ireland to drive forward action to tackle the climate and nature crises. The Act includes a target of net-zero by 2050, ‘Just Transition’ principles including a fund to support agriculture, a nature-based solutions

amendment, and provision for a Climate Commissioner.

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© Scottish Shark Tagging Programme
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© Philip McErlean
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July 22 Four years of shark conservation celebrated

Our four-year project to safeguard the future of endangered sharks, skates and rays (elasmobranchs) ended with some fantastic

achievements. We trained and supported dedicated anglers to become tagging champions. We also trained 80 anglers in best practice handling techniques with over 640 shark, skates, and rays tagged and recorded. This tagging data, alongside over 4,000 eggcase records submitted by the public, provides vital information needed to protect important elasmobranch nursery and pupping grounds.

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© Jon Hawkins Surrey Hills Photography
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September 22 New online sightings portal goes live

August 22 Record lizard sightings at Slievenacloy Nature Reserve

Our Slievenacloy Nature Reserve, in the Belfast Hills, is the perfect hotspot for the common lizard – Ireland’s only native reptile – where it can be seen basking on old fence posts, paths and rocks on warm days. Last summer, lizard surveyor Philip McErlean, spotted a total of 48 common lizards – 18 adults and 30 neonates – a record for one day.

We launched a new online recording facility so that the public can submit their sightings of red squirrel, barn owl, and pine marten – three key Northern Ireland priority species we are focusing our conservation efforts on to help reverse their fortunes. Sightings of these three key species, along with grey squirrels and long-eared owls, will help us build a better picture of their distribution across Northern Ireland, so we can target our work more effectively. Record your sightings: ulsterwildlife.org/ record-sightings

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 4

Highlights of our year for wildlife

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© Ronald Surgenor © Mark Hamblin 2020 VISION
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October 22 Turning the tide to save the Irish Sea

We joined forces with other conservation bodies in the Irish Sea region to find solutions to the challenges nature is facing across the Irish Sea. The Irish Sea is incredibly rich in wildlife but heavily used with limited protection and proper management. Together, we produced a Review of the Irish Sea 2022 which laid down our vision and calls to action to protect and improve its health. We want to see collaboration across national borders to achieve a well-managed and ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas and truly sustainable fisheries.

November 22 Defend Nature campaign launched

The introduction of the proposed Retained EU Law Bill, which could see vital pieces of environmental legislation of EU-origin scrapped, required a rapid response to ensure decades of wins for wildlife and wild places were not lost. We joined forces with fellow environmental charities to send a joint letter to NI Ministers as well as engaging with key local politicians to speak out against this Bill. We also worked with The Wildlife Trusts to mobilise public support in the form of letters and a postcard campaign to MP constituency offices.

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© Ronald Surgenor
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December 22 Launch of annual appeal for seabird conservation

To help match-fund the purchase of a new boat for our seabird conservation on our Isle of Muck Nature Reserve, off Islandmagee, we appealed to our members and supporters to raise £5,000. This natural treasure is home to the third largest colony of cliff nesting seabirds in Northern Ireland, from razorbills to kittiwakes. Owning our own vessel enables us to step-up essential conservation work when it’s needed the most, respond to incidents quickly, and undertake more regular seabird monitoring. We were thrilled to raise over £10,000, thanks to our supporters. ‘Tystie’ made its maiden voyage in February with the additional funds raised helping to purchase essential boat equipment.

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January 23
© Adam Gerrard © Giles Knight
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Red squirrel release at Castle Ward sparks hope for iconic mammal

Four red squirrels were successfully introduced to Castle Ward estate, outside Strangford, in a bid to establish a new population of this key native species. The introduction was part of an ongoing effort between the National Trust, Ulster Wildlife, Belfast Zoo, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Heart of Down Red Squirrel Group to secure the long-term future of this iconic mammal. The location was carefully chosen as it has ample woodland habitat and, most importantly, it is free from invasive grey squirrels – the biggest threat to the red squirrels’ survival.

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February 23
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Collaboration with farmers in Leitrim

Our Fermanagh Environmental Farming Scheme Group collaborated with Leitrim Sustainable Agriculture Group including a series of reciprocal farm visits. This helped improve understanding of the importance and challenges of farming wet species-rich grasslands that deliver for nature and are unique to this border region. The collaboration also resulted in good sharing of ideas and joint bids for Shared Island funding of which we await the outcome.

March 23 Positive breeding year celebrated for barn owls

One of our most vulnerable farmland birds, the barn owl, had a positive breeding year in 2022. Twenty-four barn owl chicks fledged from eight known breeding pairs – a significant increase in chicks from 2021. Two new nest sites were also discovered in Co Down helping to boost the bird’s fragile population, which is estimated to be less than 30 breeding pairs. Barn owls were badly hit in 2021, as the wet spring and hot summer resulted in a poor breeding season, so this is welcome news for our struggling population. Read the 2022 barn owl report: ulsterwildlife.org/barn-owls

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 5

Our Vision

A wilder future where people and nature are thriving together

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to protect and restore nature on land and at sea. We will play our part in ending the climate and ecological emergencies, creating a society where nature is valued and is part of our daily lives.

Our Strategic Outcomes for 2030

1. NATURE - Nature is in recovery and wildlife is thriving across Northern Ireland.

2. PEOPLE - More people are taking positive action for nature and climate and are benefitting from time spent in nature.

3. CLIMATE - Nature-based solutions are playing a central role in addressing climate change.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 6

hectares of land managed farmers and ha of farms whose gardens surveyed for wildlife (equivalent to landowners management we by the public for 857 400 108 2,116 football pitches) received advice [40k] influenced. hedgehogs

Barn Owls

With fewer than 30 breeding pairs of barns owls in Northern Ireland, we continued to carry out a range of conservation actions to help this iconic farmland bird recover.

Barn owls faced a challenging breeding season in 2021, so we were delighted to receive more positive news in 2022. Across Northern Ireland, at known nest sites, there were eight broods, resulting in 24 chicks fledging - a considerable increase compared to the previous year. A number of new nest sites were also discovered in nest boxes that we had previously erected, in collaboration with volunteers and partners.

Twenty additional nest boxes were installed in strategic locations during the winter to help barn owls from existing nests expand their range to these newly established sites. Our aim is to create a network of nest boxes and suitable barn owl habitats across the country, which will enable this priority species to recover, spread and ultimately thrive using the ‘Nature Recovery Network’ approach.

We received substantial interest from landowners eager to help and conducted 34 on-site visits to assess farms for their suitability as barn owl habitats, providing valuable land management advice in the process.

Additionally, we received a considerable number of barn owl and long-eared owl sightings and launched a new sightings database to help streamline the recording process.

Red Squirrels

Following the launch of our Red Squirrel Conservation Strategy for Northern Ireland, we have been actively supporting local red squirrel groups in their conservation efforts. We have also been collaborating with local councils to assist them in implementing measures to safeguard this priority species.

To ensure the long-term monitoring of red squirrels, pine martens, and grey squirrels, our dedicated staff, volunteers, and external partners conducted a comprehensive survey to determine their presence or absence across Northern Ireland. Woodlands were surveyed across Northern Ireland – 218 in total - revealing a significant rise in pine marten presence over the last five years.

To help simplify data collection and to inform conservation action, we developed and launched a new sightings database for the public to record red squirrels, grey squirrels and pine martens. A grey squirrel control database was also developed for volunteers.

Additionally, we collaborated with the Northern Ireland Squirrel Forum and the National Trust to successfully introduce red squirrels to the Castle Ward estate.

Hedgehogs

We teamed up again with NUI Galway last year for the Irish Hedgehog Survey to help find out more about these much-loved mammals. This citizen science project encourages the public to submit sightings of hedgehogs and carry out surveys using footprint tunnels and camera traps.

Over 1,000 people in Northern Ireland signed up to take part in the survey, which ran from May to September, with sightings collected all year round. In total, 390 hedgehog sightings were submitted – a huge increase since the survey began in 2020. Sixteen hedgehog talks and workshops were delivered, with 70 people trained in the survey methodology.

Along with a number of other organisations, we carried out 15 Local Area Surveys; these consisted of 10 tunnels placed in a 1km square for five nights. A number of our nature reserves were surveyed including Balloo, Bog Meadows, Slievenacloy and Glenarm. We had a fantastic uptake from the public and our members with 108 surveys carried out in people’s gardens. This data is important to establish a baseline for hedgehogs and build a better picture of their distribution, so we can work to secure their future.

We have also been raising awareness of hedgehogs and encouraging people to create hedgehog-friendly gardens through our ‘Let Nature In’ wildlife gardening campaign.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 8

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‘Tystie’ transporting sheep to Isle of Muck Nature Reserve
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Nature Reserves

Our nature reserves cover nearly 850 hectares of land spread across 19 sites that include some of Northern Ireland’s most important habitats and species. From a small field in the Glens of Antrim safeguarding a rare plant to a vast expanse of wilderness in the Belfast Hills, our nature reserves are equally important in their conservation efforts.

A key highlight of the year was the acquisition of a new boat named ‘Tystie’ to aid our seabird conservation work at the Isle of Muck – our sincere thanks to everyone who generously donated to our appeal. At Glenullin Bog, monitoring of our efforts to raise water levels through damming and bunding yielded positive results, confirming the first steps in the restoration of this 45-hectare lowland raised bog.

As is the nature of the natural world, it was a year of highs and lows for many priority species we help to protect. There were record counts of small eggar moth webs at Umbra, while nesting kittiwakes hit their highest ever numbers at Isle of Muck, although a disappointing number of chicks fledged thereafter. Slievenacloy saw a record number of common lizards surveyed, and Devon carpet moth was recorded again at Glenarm, proving that the latter species has started colonising Northern Ireland. Beyond this, it was another year of hard work from our staff and volunteers with the reward of conserving and restoring our native wildlife – a fantastic effort by all involved.

Protected Sites

We continued to work in partnership with the Ministry of Defence to support the management of Ballykinler and Magilligan Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).

Our previous suspension of scrub cutting at Ballykinler ended with the removal of 10 hectares of thick gorse, which was obstructing the growth of crucial plants and covering the significant grey-dune grassland habitat. Furthermore, we resumed scrub cutting at Magilligan and successfully eliminated three hectares of dense blackthorn scrub. We also treated scrub that had been cut in the previous three years at both locations to prevent regrowth.

Surveys were completed for a number of priority species including petalwort, marsh fritillary butterfly, scarce crimson and gold moth, northern colletes bee and small eggar moth.

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Scarce crimson & gold moth, Magilligan SAC © Adam Mantell
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NRN partners at Clandeboye Estate
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Nature Recovery Networks

We continued to work with project partners RSPB NI, National Trust and Woodland Trust to develop ways to adopt a landscape-scale approach to nature’s recovery using Nature Recovery Networks (NRNs) – more, bigger, better and joined-up wildlife-rich places to benefit people and wildlife.

A second series of knowledge-sharing webinars took place focusing on work already underway in Northern Ireland and exploring our next steps. A suite of educational videos were also produced to provide greater understanding of the Nature Recovery Network approach. Finally, partners had the opportunity to visit stakeholders involved in the design and delivery of the Central Scotland Green Network, providing ample ideas and inspiration.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 9

Environmental Farming Scheme

Membership of our Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) Group programme, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA), continued to grow. This is one of five pilot schemes in Northern Ireland designed to support farmers to deliver nature conservation at scale through agrienvironment schemes.

Our group facilitators worked with 441 farmers last year to engage them in positive land management; this included 24 group events, 268 one-to-one mentoring sessions and 152 farm walkovers.

We also added around 75 farms to the Higher Level Environmental Farming Scheme – which focuses on designated sites and priority habitats – putting approximately 4,000 hectares of high nature value land into positive management across four counties. In total, we have engaged with over 20% of all farmers with EFS (Higher) Agreements.

We engaged in a diverse range of activities, from identifying woodland and meadow plants and providing guidance on tree planting and hedge management to hosting peatland restoration demonstrations. We delved into sustainable farming concepts and provided valuable guidance on paperwork and record keeping. Additionally, we organised unique farm walks conducted after dark and addressed the impacts of ash dieback. We also collaborated with farmer groups in Co. Leitrim and worked closely with farmers and partner organisations to assist landowners in safeguarding priority species, including marsh fritillary, curlew, barn owls and red squirrels.

In addition, through on-the-ground surveys, facilitators and associates added 212 hectares of land to priority habitat maps, mainly species-rich grassland in Fermanagh, ensuring it can be protected and made eligible for agri-environment measures in the future.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 10

Public Affairs, Policy and Legislation

It has been a critical year for policy and public affairs. World leaders finally signed the Montreal Biodiversity Framework at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in December 2022. This is the most significant global agreement yet to tackle biodiversity loss with over 23 targets agreed.

Although not binding, governments must show their progress in meeting the targets within their biodiversity plans. In Northern Ireland, we have been working with the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to co-develop a new Biodiversity Strategy and will be pressing for legally binding targets and strong reporting duties to be put into place. We also ran a communications campaign throughout COP15 to engage our supporter base and highlight the urgent need for local action.

The UK Government’s proposed Retained EU Law Bill, which could see vital pieces of environmental legislation of EU origin scrapped, required a rapid response to ensure decades of wins for wildlife and wild places were not lost. We joined forces with fellow environmental charities to send a joint letter to NI Ministers as well as engaging with key local politicians to speak out against this Bill. We also worked with The Wildlife Trusts to mobilise public support in the form of template letters and a postcard campaign to MP constituency offices.

One of the biggest highlights of the year was in June when the long-awaited Northern Ireland Climate Change Act became law. As part of the NI Climate Coalition, we campaigned throughout the legislative process and provided oral and written evidence to the Assembly. This is the

first-ever legislation in Northern Ireland to drive forward action to tackle the climate and nature crises, although much work now needs to be done developing the first carbon budgets and sectoral plans.

We also responded to several other major consultations during the year, including the Draft Ammonia Strategy, Wild Birds Licenses, and the Republic of Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan.

As a lead member of the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force, we worked with DAERA to help co-design vital new conservation strategies for Northern Ireland. These included the Blue Carbon Action Plan, to improve understanding of how coastal marine habitats can contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, the development of a Seabird Conservation Strategy, and an Elasmobranch Conservation Strategy to provide guidelines for the conservation of local sharks, skates and rays.

We also collaboratively responded to several key consultations affecting the marine environment. These included the Draft Joint Fisheries Statement, Management measures on the use of fast craft and personal watercraft in MPA’s, Hand-gathering of intertidal shellfish in NI: a call for evidence, and the Future Strategy for the Marine and Fisheries Fund.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 11

Barn owl success at Ballycruttle Farm

Ballycruttle Farm has been involved with the RSPB’s Co. Down Farmland Initiative for a few years now, providing rich-seed habitats, rough grass margins, and hedgerows for a number of birds on the red list such as yellowhammers, linnets, tree sparrows, reed buntings and skylarks.

During conversations with RSPB, we talked about erecting barn owl boxes so they put us in touch with Ulster Wildlife. Ulster Wildlife advised us on the best locations and we set about putting our first box up in February 2021. Thankfully, having a husband who is a tree surgeon made this process a little easier.

On that same evening, we were excited to hear the eerie, long screech of a male barn owl, which continued for a few nights.

One particular evening, as I was chasing a duck to bed, I suddenly became startled by something flying low above my head – the night was silent, so the noise took me by surprise. The next evening, I went out a little earlier to see if my thoughts were correct – and they were; an owl flew out of the box and headed for the woodland.

Excited about our discovery, we invited Ulster Wildlife out and together we observed the barn owl box using infrared binoculars. Hissing sounds confirmed there was at least one chick.

Roll onto the middle of June, and a team arrived to ring what we assumed were two chicks. To our surprise, three chicks awaited us – two boys and a girl!

This was an amazing experience, both for my family and for all of those involved. They are the most beautiful, majestic birds, and we are so proud to have been part of their recovery story.

Dawn Stocking Ballycruttle Farm

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 12

registered volunteer hours people learned gardens signed Youth Forum volunteers donated to about nature at up to our wildlife members 95 1,500 nature 1,020 our events 1,600 gardening campaign [28]

Youth Forum

Our Youth Forum continued to grow with 12 new members joining during the year, providing a platform for young people to speak up for nature, take part in campaigns and take action for wildlife.

A highlight was a weekend residential at Crawfordsburn Country Park where members explored rocky shore ecology and made bird boxes, as well as discussing ways young people can influence change and have their say on the future of the Youth Forum. Other activities this year included ‘Leave No Trace’ training and contributing to a consultation on DAERA’s Green Growth Strategy.

Wild Youth

Young people from north and west Belfast engaged in nature-based wellbeing activities as part of this innovative programme, delivered in conjunction with Belfast Hills Partnership, and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

750 young people took part this year, and over 125 young people gained Bronze, Silver or Gold Wild Youth Award certificates in recognition of their time spent connecting with and helping the natural world. Feedback from participants has shown increases in their level of connection with nature as well as their mental wellbeing. A particular highlight of this programme has been the opportunity to work with young people who are new to Northern Ireland and who have arrived here recently seeking asylum.

Our Bright Future

Youth Forum members continued to promote three key policy issues on outdoor learning, green jobs, and the role of young people in decision-making, as part of our work supporting the UK Our Bright Future initiative.

As well as producing a Youth Manifesto for the Environment, forum members also met with local politicians to outline their environmental concerns and to advocate for specific actions in the run up to the Assembly elections in May 2022. Although the initiative ended in November 2022, the legacy of our involvement continues in other youth projects we are now delivering.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 14

Sustainable Wildlife Youth Work Watch Curriculum Groups

Training workshops were delivered for youth workers from more than 20 organisations, focusing on the new Sustainable Youth Work curriculum we developed on behalf of the Education Authority.

The workshops gave youth workers the skills and confidence to engage young people with environmental issues. Resources are now available to youth workers across Northern Ireland via the Education Authority website.

Wildlife Watch Groups for children continued to grow with 30 members spanning three groups in Lisburn, Bloomfield and Bog Meadows, all run by passionate volunteers.

The groups meet monthly to enjoy activities such as pond dipping, bat walks, and listening to wildlife talks by guest speakers. During the year, the Bloomfield group launched a Tree Trail at Orangefield Park, in conjunction with Belfast City Council, raising the funds to purchase and plant 24 native trees, including signage for locals to enjoy.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 15

Nextdoor Nature

We embraced a new way of working with communities in south and east Belfast by discovering what they need and want in their area to help nature flourish and then supporting them with the skills and tools to take action on their own terms.

A number of community-led projects are now underway to help put nature into recovery, thanks to funding support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Glentoran Football Club is supporting local people to grow their own produce, raised beds have been revitalised at The Larder foodbank, wildlife gardening workshops have been delivered to alleyway gardeners in south Belfast, and residents of Wingrove Gardens plan to make their whole street wildlife-friendly. Most importantly, the local communities decide on what happens and drive the change in their own neighbourhoods.

Community Engagement at Bog Meadows

Our work to strengthen a sense of community ownership of Bog Meadows Nature Reserve continued with a range of programmes to engage local residents and community groups, thanks to support from the National Lottery Community Fund.

This included nature connection sessions, wildlife walks, summer schemes, school education sessions, regular adult and youth volunteering opportunities and a Wildlife Watch group for children.

We are also delighted to have been awarded a grant from the Department for Infrastructure to create a ‘Community Wildlife Garden’. This will be planned and cultivated in partnership with local community groups to showcase a working wildlife garden and provide a valuable community space for our activities.

‘Let Nature In’ Wildlife Gardening Campaign

We continued to promote our ‘Let Nature In’ campaign to encourage more people to make space for nature in their gardens.

Over 1,600 people have signed up to the campaign so far, with regular emails providing tips and advice throughout the year to help people welcome nature into their gardens.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 16

Defend Nature Campaign

We teamed up with The Wildlife Trusts to mobilise public action to defend nature and put a stop the UK Government’s plans to threaten wildlife with the proposed Retained EU Law Bill.

Over 150 supporters used our template letter or postcard to ask their MPs to scrap the Bill, which could see vital pieces of environmental legislation of EU-origin weakened or removed.

We also joined forces with fellow environmental charities to send a joint letter to NI Ministers as well as engaging with key local politicians to speak out against this Bill.

Landfill Communities Fund

We helped distribute £276,000 of Landfill Communities Fund contributions from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to 17 community and environmental projects.

The Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) is a grant scheme that enables operators of landfill sites to contribute a portion of the monies they pay as landfill tax directly to approved Environmental Bodies, such as Ulster Wildlife, for distribution to projects of environmental and public benefit.

2022 saw an increase in project activity with the effects of the pandemic winding down. For the remaining lifespan of contributions from our two landfill operators, we will continue to maximise the benefits of distributing funding to projects which are aligned with our own strategic goals of promoting health and wellbeing through enjoyment of the environment and rebuilding biodiversity.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 17

Exclusive Member Events

We delivered a successful series of online talks for members during the winter, many delivered by guest speakers, on everything from red kites and brent geese to wildlife photography.

We also planned an exclusive programme of member face-to-face events from woodland foraging to coastal walks for the spring and summer months.

Over 100 members joined us for our AGM and Members’ Day at Malone House in September with special guest Craig Bennett, CEO of The Wildlife Trusts.

Volunteering

We received tremendous support from 95 registered volunteers with practical conservation tasks on our nature reserves, species conservation efforts, people engagement and office support.

Over 200 corporate volunteers from 24 local businesses joined us at Balloo, Bog Meadows, Slievenacloy and Ballynahone Bog Nature Reserves to lend a hand with invasive species control, litter picks, hedge trimming, path clearing and site maintenance.

Our first native oyster nursery at Bangor Marina received fantastic interest from potential volunteers, with 15 dedicated volunteers now regularly helping us look after the oysters and conducting regular health checks.

Five volunteer student placements from Queen’s and Ulster Universities joined our Nature Reserve and Marine teams for the year. They benefitted from a range of training and invaluable on-the-job experience learning about habitat management, invasive species control, GIS mapping, volunteer engagement, and survey data and reporting.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 18

Youth Action For Nature

I got involved with Ulster Wildlife’s Youth Forum because I had a desire to connect with other young people with an interest in nature. Looking back, I was isolated in my love for nature and even a bit lost. The Youth Forum gave me a direction for my interest, and the virtual meet-ups allowed me to connect and learn from other young people. The Forum has been instrumental in giving me confidence and a sense of belonging within circles of ecology and environmental advocacy. I was even lucky enough to represent Ulster Wildlife at the Wildlife Trusts’ planning event for the upcoming youth festival.

The Forum is not just a connection-building group, but also a brilliant educational tool. One of my favourite memories was visiting Cuilcagh to learn about peatland restoration with young farmers – it was such a valuable experience, and each interaction with a different issue (like peatland restoration) leaves you a little more invested in it than you were before. In a similar way, meeting others in the Forum that have different interests or approaches can lead to the discovery of new interests – like butterflies!

I’m currently studying Biological Sciences at Queen’s and hope to pursue a career in ecology, or science communication. Not everyone in the Forum will – but I think that’s what makes it special. The Youth Forum supports those wishing to pursue an environmental job but also fosters and maintains an interest and care for nature in those who will not. In the face of the biodiversity and climate crises, we need everyone in all sectors to care – and through the Youth Forum, Ulster Wildlife is playing its part.

Eibhlinn Fee, aged 20 Ulster Youth Forum member

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 19

hectares of[of seawater filtered ] peatland restored by our native 50 across 3 sites 34,500[m3] oyster nursery

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 20

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Peatland restoration in action
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Restoring peatlands for nature and climate

We were a key delivery partner in the EU funded (Interreg VA) Collaborative Action for the Natura Network (CANN) project, in which we oversaw the restoration of hundreds of hectares of priority peatland habitats, from blanket bog on Cuilcagh Mountain to the species-rich fens in Lecale.

The CANN project ended in September 2022 with the completion of Conservation Action Plans for 11 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). Since then, with funding from the DAERA Environment Fund, we have used these plans to deliver further restoration on key peatland habitats across Northern Ireland. This includes the installation of hundreds of new dams at Fairy Water Bogs and Tully Bog SAC in Co Tyrone. Additionally, we cleared invasive reed and scrub at Carrowcarlin Fen Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) in Co Down using specialist amphibious machinery. We also continued efforts to control invasive rhododendron at Peatlands Park SAC, with over five hectares treated in areas that had never been addressed before.

Alongside this, we have been developing a ‘pipeline’ of potential restoration sites and collecting the data needed to deliver works on the ground when funding becomes available. We’ve collected LiDAR data (light detection and ranging), aerial imagery, and developed restoration plans for a variety of new sites including Teal Lough SAC and Magho Cliffs ASSI. We have also been working closely with other environmental organisations and making use of our new drone technology to collect data on areas such as the Mourne Mountains and Colebrooke Bogs.

Monitoring of atmospheric ammonia on sensitive sites has also been a key part of our work over the past year. We have continued to work with Northern Ireland Environment Agency to collect and analyse ammonia deposition on both Curran Bog and Turmennan Fen SAC. These efforts form part of wider monitoring taking place at a national level and will help strengthen policy and regulation around atmospheric ammonia going forward.

In February 2022, we purchased Haughey’s Bog, a degraded peatland site in County Tyrone, with the aim of showcasing a range of peatland restoration techniques and developing a best practice site.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 21

Restoring blue carbon habitats and species

We installed our second native oyster nursery at Glenarm Marina in March 2023 to help bring back this endangered species and provide a host of wider benefits to the marine environment.

The native oyster ( Ostrea edulis ) was once a common sight along the Glenarm coastline up until the mid-1800s when overfishing, disease, invasive species and pollution decimated the local population. To help revive the species, we have installed over 800 mature native oysters in 30 purpose-built cages suspended over the edges of the marina’s pontoons, thanks to funding from DAERA and a generous donation from Wilson Resources.

The nursery will release millions of oyster larvae every summer, which will settle onto the seabed and support the oyster’s natural recovery. These ocean superheroes will also help boost biodiversity by providing nursery grounds for fish and other creatures, improve water clarity and quality by filtering 162,000 litres of water every day, and tackle climate change by storing carbon in their shells.

At our first native oyster nursery in Bangor Marina, the oysters are thriving thanks to support from a fantastic group of volunteers who have helped us keep the cages clean, carry out health checks, and monitor the oysters’ growth. Since April 2022, the average growth rate has been ~25mm with an average increase in weight of ~30g, similar to that observed in wild populations.

Over 60 marine species have also been recorded at the Bangor nursery since it was established, including common prawn, juvenile crab, pipefish, lumpsuckers, tompot blennies, spined stickleback fish and, on two occasions, the critically endangered European eel. This is a win for wildlife and as the oyster nursery grows and matures, we envisage a lot more species being discovered within these unique hanging mini reef systems.

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Native oyster shell
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Launch of Glenarm oyster nursery
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Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 22

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Case Study
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Helen Marks, Radio 4, with staff and volunteers at the Bangor oyster nursery
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Bringing Back Native Oysters

I have always been interested in wildlife, whether it be on land or under the sea where I enjoyed diving down to wrecks and seeing the diversity of the wildlife down there.

Since I stopped diving, I had been looking for something to occupy my spare time. Then I heard about Ulster Wildlife’s oyster nursery in Bangor Marina, so I went along to the volunteer induction day and was so inspired I had to get involved.

Although it is not very glamorous hoisting up and handling dirty oyster cages, I enjoy weighing and measuring the oysters to see their development and meeting new friends with like-minded interests.

David Hill

Oyster Nursery Volunteer at Bangor Marina

It was fantastic to see a local radio station come down to the marina to talk to us and find out about the restoration project. I was particularly chuffed when they asked me to explain to the listeners what activity we were doing and why we choose to volunteer.

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Oyster cage at Bangor Marina
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Over the last few months, I have learned a lot about how the oysters cluster together and make a sort of reef, which in turn provides a home and shelter for other marine life. I’ve learned how overfishing and pollution have drastically reduced their population in once large thriving beds, which in turn has affected the ecosystem, so it’s crucial we redress the situation and start nurseries to re-introduce the native oyster back to the sea bed.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 23

Thank you to our supporters

We would like to express our profound gratitude to all our valued members for their unwavering support throughout the year. Their dedication has been the cornerstone of our conservation efforts and has enabled us to make a significant impact for nature.

We are equally thankful for the generous gifts in wills received this year, as well as donations from businesses that have supported our work. In addition, funders and philanthropic loans have been key to developing long-term conservation projects and purchasing key areas of land for habitat restoration.

With this support, we have been able to implement vital conservation projects, restore habitats, protect endangered species, and create safe havens for wildlife to flourish. Thank you!

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 24

Members

Many charities are feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis on donations and regular giving. With fewer people giving to charity, our membership income dropped slightly this year. Our existing members continue to be an extremely important source of unrestricted funds and we were heartened to see the vast majority of members staying with us even in these difficult times, aided in part by an increase in member-exclusive events and benefits over the past year. Member generosity is the driving force behind our conservation efforts.

Our annual appeal raised more than £10,000 in match funding for the purchase of a new boat for seabird conservation at our Isle of Muck Nature Reserve. Our generous supporters chose to name the boat “Tystie” – the local/Scots name for black guillemot.

Legacy and In-Memory

Gifts in wills and in-memory donations, no matter the size, allow a person’s passion for nature to live on. Every legacy or in-memory donation allows us to protect and buy more nature reserves, save more species, help support new nature champions, and ensure that future generations can experience nature.

Each year, more people are recognising the significant impact a gift in your will to Ulster Wildlife can make. This year, committed members and supporters left specific bequests to Ulster Wildlife and in-memory gifts were also received. Several people remembered loved ones via online donations.

Businesses

We are proud to work with many local businesses to support nature’s recovery. Working with others is crucial to tackling the nature and climate crises. Financial support from local businesses, in the form of unrestricted and in-kind donations or though the commissioning of our Ecological Consultancy services, is crucial to supplement our other funding streams. In addition, for these businesses, supporting Ulster Wildlife demonstrates their commitment to championing local nature conservation efforts to both their employees and customers.

Some of the businesses supporting local nature conservation efforts this year: Almac, Ardbarron Trust, The Boulevard Banbridge (Ulster Wildlife nominated as Charity of the Year), ENCIRC, Field Day Ireland, Finnebrogue, Mash Direct, Moy Park, NI Trucks, PowerNI, Spirit Aerosystems and Wilson Resources.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 25

Funders

Charities rely on a wide range of funding streams including statutory (government) funding and charitable trust funding to help support some of our larger projects and areas of work. We are very grateful to our funding partners for providing funding for specific projects last year.

Thanks to our funding partners this year: Ards and North Down Borough Council, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Education Authority, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, INTERREG VA, Marine Institute, Ministry of Defense, National Lottery Community Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Department of Communities.

Philanthropic Lenders

We believe that part of the solution to aid nature’s recovery is to acquire and restore land. However, cash flow when land comes up for sale can often be a major barrier. Philanthropic lenders enable charities to respond quickly to land purchase and restoration opportunities when they arise, without the need to raise the funds first.

In February 2022, we were able to purchase a commercially cut-over peatland site in Co Tyrone with the aim of showcasing a range of peatland restoration techniques and developing a best practice site. A Philanthropic loan from John Smith, and gifts in Wills from supporters, helped secure this space for nature until funding from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs was received.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 26

Outcome 1: Nature is in recovery and wildlife is thriving across Northern Ireland.

Fundamental to achieving this outcome is the development and establishment of a national ‘Nature Recovery Network’ for Northern Ireland - a strategic approach to creating more, bigger, better and joined-up spaces for wildlife to thrive.

We will continue to explore opportunities for our nature reserves to deliver as part of a connected network within the wider landscape, while also delivering specific conservation actions for key species.

Our continued work engaging farmers and landowners is critical and we will work more closely with the fishing industry to ensure our seas are well-managed for nature.

Outcome 2: More people are taking positive action for nature and climate and are benefitting from time spent in nature.

Supporting and empowering people of all ages to become agents of change is critical to making the significant changes we need to address climate change and nature’s decline.

We will continue to engage, empower and amplify the voice of people across Northern Ireland to speak up for and take action for nature through our campaigning work and community mobilising programmes.

We will also continue to engage younger generations in issues that will affect their future by growing our Youth Forum and by supporting youth-led nature activities. In addition, we will develop our Children and Young People Strategy to embed this new approach in our work going forward.

Plans for the Future

2022/23 was the first year of putting our new strategy to 2030 – Bring Nature Back – into action. With ambitious goals and transformations, our new strategy drives us towards our vision of a thriving natural world, where everyone is inspired to get involved in nature’s recovery, and where nature plays a key role in addressing the nature and climate emergencies.

Maintaining and strengthening our membership and supporter network is key to delivering on the ambition of our strategy and a comprehensive growth plan and new staff structure will be put into place to expand our membership support base over the next five years.

Outcome 3: Nature-based solutions are playing a central role in addressing climate change.

Over the next number of years, we will work to tackle both the climate and biodiversity crises at a local level, recognising and promoting the importance of nature-based solutions. We will expand our work to restore peatlands, develop new native oyster nurseries, and establish new partnership projects to deliver blue carbon habitat restoration such as seagrass. Together, these initiatives will provide longterm carbon sequestration and storage while also promoting diverse and resilient wildlife.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 27

Financial Review at 31 March 2023

Ulster Wildlife’s financial position remained stable during the year and a modest surplus on unrestricted activities was achieved.

Sources of Income

activity which is delivered by the charity; and Landfill Communities Funds where grants are awarded by the charity to third parties for purposes defined under the Landfill Communities Fund guidelines.

Unrestricted income is revenue generated by the charity for its general purposes. It can be used at the discretion of the charity on any of the charity’s objects and a substantial component is donations from our members and supporters.

Grants from third parties awarded to Ulster Wildlife for the direct delivery of specific conservation outcomes decreased by £260k in the year. In the previous year DAERA contributed £594k towards the purchase of additional lands at Slievenacloy which increased the 21/22 income substantially. DAERA continued to award Challenge Fund income however in 22/23 for conservation work on peatlands, our marine environment, priority species and nature reserves including the £75k towards the purchase of a peatland site at Haughey’s Bog.

Unrestricted income is 7% lower than the previous year (-£46k). Donations and legacies decreased (-£65k) as did consultancy income (-£14k). This was partly offset by an additional grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation of £35k to contribute towards the cost of living increases.

Restricted income is income given to the charity for specific purposes. It may be a grant for a specific piece of conservation work or education activity or funds to be awarded as grants to third parties, in line with specific grant guidelines.

Other grants received in the year are outlined in Note 4 to the Financial Statements.

Ulster Wildlife’s restricted income has two main components, grants for specific conservation and education

Income Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds £ Funds £ Funds £ Ratio
Membership, Donations & Legacies 453 72 525 16%
Nature Conservation - 1,919 1,919 59%
Agri-environment payments 28 - 28 1%
Landfll Tax Contributions 227 227 7%
Environmental Education & Training - 314 314 10%
Other Income 181 45 226 7%
Total Income 662 2,577 3,239 100%

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Agri-environment
1%
Landfill
Contributions
Education
7%
& Training
10%
Other
7%
Membership,
Donations
Income
& Legacies
16%
Nature Conservation
59%
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Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 28

Financial Review at 31 March 2023

How the Charity Spent its Resources

After expenditure on restricted projects, the balance on restricted funds amounted to £500k.

Overall expenditure was £273k lower in the year to 31 March 2023 than in the previous year.

In line with the income split, a large part of the expenditure is on conservation and education activity.

This balance represents income received relating to projects in the year to 31 March 2023 where expenditure was incurred in prior years or will be incured in future years and was in line with expectations. £184k relates to income received from DAERA for the purchase of peatland at Haughey’s Bog and capital equipment including where the expenditure has been capitalised on the balance sheet.

Restricted projects make a contribution to core overhead costs for time and expenses incurred in running the projects. After taking this contribution into account an unrestricted surplus of £23k was generated.

Restricted financial reserves cannot be utilised by the charity, except for the very specific purposes set out by the funder. These financial reserves are therefore not available to fund either general working capital requirements or any unexpected events.

The surplus is in keeping with the charity’s objectives which are to deliver conservation outcomes rather than a surplus of income over expenditure. A modest surplus is, however, necessary in order to maintain financial stability and help to secure the long term viability of the charity.

Expenditure Total
Funds £		 Ratio
Raising Funds 95 4%
Nature Conservation 1,870 69%
Environmental Education & Training 274 10%
LCF Environmental Projects 304 11%
Membership Support 125 4%
Other Expenditure 46 2%
Total Expenditure 2,714 100%

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Other
Expenditure
Membership 2% Raising
Support Funds
4% 4%
LCF
Environmental
Projects
11%
Environmental
Education
& Training
10% Expenditure
Nature Conservation
69%
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Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 29

Structure, Governance and Management

Ulster Wildlife Trust, (operating as Ulster Wildlife) is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (NIC101848) and is a notfor-profit company incorporated in Northern Ireland, limited by guarantee (NI 12711). It is an independent body, locally governed, affiliated to The Wildlife Trusts, a federated network of 46 charities across the UK.

The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees (Council) comprised of up to 17 members who serve up to a nine-year term. The Ulster Wildlife Council is responsible for making strategic decisions in relation to policy and procedure within Ulster Wildlife, while day-to-day operational decisions and management is delegated to the Chief Executive, who in turn oversees the staff team of Ulster Wildlife of which there were 36 at the end of March 2023.

All Board Members receive induction training in relation to their role, are provided with a Governance Handbook when they are appointed and adhere to the Code of Good Governance. In addition, in 2022, the Board undertook governance training and carried out a governance review facilitated by Blue Moss consulting. The Board are currently implementing actions arising from this review.

Ulster Wildlife also has an Honorary President, Joe Furphy, who does not having a voting or decision-making role on the Board but contributes to discussions and carries out representation for the Charity.

Details of serving Trustees during 2022/23 can be found to the right.

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CHAIRMAN VICE-CHAIR VICE-CHAIR HONORARY TREASURER
Ken Stephen David David
Brundle Aston Sterling Hendron
(Appointed on Appointed on 07 (Appointed 16 (Appointed on
17 September December 2017, October 2020, 25 July 2018,
2013, appointed appointed Vice appointed Vice appointed
Chairman Chairman on 27 Chair 02 December Treasurer on 27
22 November 2017) September 2018) 2021) September 2018)
F & A E, F & A F & A
COMPANY SECRETARY COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER
Catherine Joe
Thompson Anna Breen Bob
(Appointed on 14 Barclay Brown
March 2019, (Appointed
appointed (Appointed 24 9 June 2022) (Appointed 16
Company November 2020) E October 2020)
Secretary on 18 E, G E
March 2021)
G
COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER
Stephen
Fiona Maginn Seamus Stephen
Davey McKee Smith
(Appointed
(Appointed on 05 December 2019 (Appointed (Appointed 24
19 November 2015) Resigned 01 Oct 18 March 2021) November 2020)
G 2022) F F
F
COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER HONORARY PRESIDENT
Helen Ed Joe
Surgenor John Wright Furphy
Witchell
(Appointed (Appointed on
24 November (Appointed on 07 07 October 2015)
2020) December 2017, ) F
F E
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Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 30

Green hairstreak butterfly, Slievenacloy Nature Reserve © Ronald Surgenor

Red squirrel, Co Fermanagh © Adam Gerrard

Pine marten, Co Down © Ronald Surgenor

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

Changes to the Ulster Wildlife Council during 2022/2023

The Trustees (who are also the Directors of Ulster Wildlife Trust) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Act 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Provision of Information to Auditors

Each of the individuals who is a Trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that:

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

Stephen Maginn resigned from Council on 01 October 2022. Joe Breen was confirmed at the AGM on 01 October 2022 after co-option on 09 June 2022.

The governance sub-structure comprises of four sub-committees: Governance, Finance & Audit, Environment and Fundraising. This governance framework is designed to ensure that we are an accountable, effective and efficient charity and to manage risk at the required level.

1. The Governance Committee (G) ensures that the Ulster Wildlife Council fulfils its legal, ethical and functional responsibilities through adequate governance policy development, skills audits, recruitment strategies for Council Members, training programmes, monitoring of Council activities and evaluation of Council’s performance, human resources and health & safety management.

Auditor

DNTCA Limited are deemed to be re-appointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006. This report was approved by the Board on 31 August 2023 and signed on its behalf by

2. The Finance & Audit Committee (F&A) supports Council in ensuring that the effective governance of Ulster Wildlife is maintained in relation to: Financial and Physical Resources.

3. The Environment Committee (E) provides ongoing strategic input into the organisation’s work linked to nature recovery and community action. The remit of this Committee encompasses nature reserves, environmental projects linked to habitats and/or species, and input into regional policy issues.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities

Ken Brundle David Hendron Chairman Honorary Treasurer

4. The Fundraising Committee (F) provides ongoing strategic input to the organisation’s fundraising activities - with a focus on unrestricted fundraising.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 31

Articles of Association

Ulster Wildlife’s charitable objectives as set out in our Articles of Association are:

(1) The advancement of environmental protection and improvement, in particular the conservation of all aspects of Northern Ireland and its adjacent areas’ wildlife, biodiversity, geodiversity and associated natural beauty for the benefit of present and future generations by:

(a) safeguarding, maintaining and enhancing natural biodiversity and geodiversity through the management of nature reserves (however entitled or however established);

(b) practising, advocating, encouraging, influencing, advising and campaigning for best conservation practice involving land, sea and freshwater management practice in ways that favour biodiversity, geodiversity, ecosystem health, sustainable use of natural resources and sustainable development;

(c) undertaking action, independently or in partnership, to protect threatened habitats, sites of geodiversity or heritage significance, at local, national or international levels on or in water, land and adjacent seas;

(d) taking account of other aspects of the natural heritage on which wildlife is dependent or to which it contributes, including landforms and landscapes;

(e) improving the quality of life of people through supporting a biodiversity, ecosystem, geodiversity and sustainability led approach to the management and design of the natural and built environment.

(2) The advancement of education by raising the public’s awareness and knowledge of all aspects of the natural and built heritage, biodiversity and geodiversity of Northern Ireland and its adjacent areas by promoting, undertaking and co-operating in research and gathering and sharing information on these topics.

(3) The advancement of citizenship though volunteering linked to natural heritage including the promotion of sustainable food production and sustainable lifestyles.

(4) The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage and science linked to natural heritage through events and project-based action.

(5) The advancement of health and well-being through activities linked to the natural environment.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 32

Key Policies & Processes

Managing Risk

Ulster Wildlife Trustees are responsible for overseeing risk management by the charity. They are responsible for ensuring that Ulster Wildlife has an effective system of internal control, management and audit to enable the charity to take advantage of opportunities whilst ensuring that the charity remains protected.

Risk management is well established and is considered in every aspect of our work. We have an active risk management process in place to make sure that appropriate risk assessments are completed and controls are in place to manage and mitigate risk across the organisation.

The Board of Trustees and Senior Management Team work together to ensure that risk is very carefully assessed in relation to the health, welfare, and security of staff, volunteers and the public. As such health & safety risk management is supported by an external consultant.

Risks are also reviewed in the broadest sense and anything that might alter or impact on the charity’s ability to fulfil its charitable objectives is considered.

Processes include:

The most significant risks identified in 2022/23 were:

The cost of living crisis has affected our ability to fundraise and our membership income did decrease slightly this year. A membership growth plan and associated staffing structure, similar to pre-covid levels, has been put into place in an effort to return to membership growth over the coming years. Similarly, the running costs for the charity increased significantly during the year.

Staff turnover was higher than usual during the year due to funding uncertainties and projects ending. This will remain a key issue for the charity to manage particularly with delays in agreement of government funding due to the lack of an Executive in Northern Ireland.

The most significant risks identified for 2023/24 are:

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 33

Our Promise to Our Supporters

Our Fundraising Promise

At Ulster Wildlife our members, supporters and funders are at the heart of everything we do to help wildlife and wild places thrive in Northern Ireland. That is why, as a registered charity (NIC101848), we are part of the Fundraising Regulator’s self-regulatory scheme.

As members of the scheme, we follow the Institute of Fundraising’s Codes of Fundraising Practice and comply with the key principles embodied in the Codes. This means when supporters make a donation to us they can be assured that our fundraising is legal, open, honest and respectful.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

Wider network

Ulster Wildlife aims to be an employer of choice, for people from different backgrounds, and through our Equality in the Workplace policy we promote respect for the individual and equality of opportunity.

Ulster Wildlife is part of a collective of 46 Wildlife Trusts, represented nationally by The Royal Society for Wildlife Trusts (RSWT). The Wildlife Trusts collectively act together, where appropriate, in key policy areas and campaigns.

We are clear

Our aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of the wider community and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. Within Ulster Wildlife there is respect for promotion and protection of each individual’s human rights. Ulster Wildlife promotes being at ease with all aspects of diversity, built on fairness and respect for all. Decisions about recruitment and selection, promotion, training or any other benefit are made objectively and without unlawful discrimination.

Our Equality in the Workplace policy helps all those who work for us to develop their full potential and ensure that the talents and resources of the workforce are utilised to fully maximise the efficiency of the organisation.

Financial Management

Financial Reserves Policy

The Trustees recognise there is a balance to be achieved between delivering our charitable objectives and managing the actual and potential risks of failing to meet our liabilities when they fall due. Consequently, the Trustees plan to hold a level of unrestricted financial reserves to provide the necessary resilience to manage these risks.

These risks include, amongst others:

Sustainability

We are respectful

We are accountable

We have set a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 and we take sustainability very seriously. We have already commenced the net zero journey, which will be an integral part of our organisational and project planning. All electricity used is renewable and we are in the process of phasing in EVs as budget allows. During the project development phase for new projects, carbon footprint and location of project staff is considered to minimise carbon footprint as by the nature of our work, nature restoration is dispersed throughout Northern Ireland.

A priority for Northern Ireland in terms of the regional carbon budget is to restore damaged peatland and this is a significant delivery strand for the charity. During the year, we purchased a peatland site in Co Tyrone which has been cutover for commercial peat extraction and we are in the process of designing restoration plans for the site, which will be implemented during the next two to three years.

The Trustees, having assessed the likelihood of these risks occurring, consider that an unrestricted financial reserve level (excluding designated funds) equal to six months unrestricted payroll and support costs and potential winding up costs should be targeted. The balance on unrestricted reserves as at 31 March 2023, net of unrestricted fixed assets is £642k which meets our target.

Designated Funds

In addition to the above, the Trustees have designated certain unrestricted funds as the ‘Fund for the Future’. This money is earmarked to help further the charity’s strategic objectives, including the acquisition of nature reserves.

Monitoring and Reviewing

Financial reserve levels are monitored on a quarterly basis throughout the year as a standing item on the Finance Committee’s agenda. They also form a part of the finance pack presented to the Board on a quarterly basis.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 34

Advisors, Senior Personnel and Administrative Details

Auditors

DNT Chartered Accountants Ormeau House 91-97 Ormeau Road Belfast BT7 1SH Danske Bank Belfast Finance Centre PO Box 183 Donegall Square West Belfast BT1 6JS

Bankers

Company Secretary Senior Leadership Team

Catherine Thompson

Jennifer Fulton - Chief Executive Officer Dawn Miskelly - Director of Development & Engagement Peter McEvoy - Director of Land Management Niamh Hart - Head of Finance

Charity Registration Number

NIC 101848

Company Registration Number NI12711

Registered Office and Operational Address

McClelland House 10 Heron Road Belfast BT3 9LE

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 35

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of the Ulster Wildlife Trust

Opinion

We have audited the charity financial statements of Ulster Wildlife Trust (‘the charity’) for the financial year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account), the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including the summary of significant accounting policies set out in note 2. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

In our opinion when reporting in accordance with a fair presentation framework the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

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 the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled

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

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our Auditor’s Report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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.

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 course of 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 this gives rise to a material

misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees Annual Report.

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

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 36

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of the Ulster Wildlife Trust

Responsibilities of trustees for the financial statements As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities, the trustees 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 they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance 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 detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 37

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of the Ulster Wildlife Trust

Further information regarding the scope of our responsibilities as auditor

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our responsibilities

This report is made solely to the charity’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’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 charity and the charity’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Mr M Nangle (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of DNTCA Limited, Ormeau House, 91-97 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 1SH.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 38

Statement of Financial Activities (including income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Notes
INCOME FROM:
Donations & Legacies
3
Conservation Activities
4
Agri-environment Payments
Charitable Activities - Landfll Contributions
5
Education & Training Activities
6
Interest Received
7
Other Income
8
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising Funds
9
Charitable Activities
10
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET INCOME BEFORE TRANSFERS
AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Gains/(losses) from Foreign Exchange
Transfers Between Funds
14
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Total Funds at 1 April 2022
Transfer (from)/to Designated Fund for the Future
TOTAL FUNDS AT 31 MARCH 2023		 2023
2022
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Fund
Fund
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
£
452,709
72,647
525,356
538,105
-
1,918,730
1,918,730
2,178,277
28,242
-
28,242
29,034
-
227,085
227,085
337,392
-
313,655
313,655
313,680
3,971
2,901
6,872
2,984
176,818
41,880
218,698
247,950
661,740
2,576,898
3,238,638
3,647,422
80,453
-
80,453
90,732
780,520
1,853,219
2,633,739
2,897,091
860,973
1,853,219
2,714,192
2,987,823
(199,233)
723,679
524,446
659,599
(871)
-
(871)
(5,237)
223,262
(223,262)
-
-
23,158
500,417
523,575
654,362
1,178,771
1,485,935
2,664,706
2,010,344
(3,192)
3,192
-
-
1,198,737
1,989,544
3,188,281
2,664,706

The notes on pages 40 to 43 form part of these financial statements. The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.

Statement of Financial Position at 31 March 2023

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible Assets
16
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
17
Cash at Bank and in Hand
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors
18
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
CREDITORSdue in more than 1 year
Capital Grants
19
FINANCIAL RESERVES
General Fund
20
Fund for the Future
22
Restricted Funds
21		 2023
2022
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Fund
Fund
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
£
325,038
1,501,703
1,826,741
1,670,011
104,934
121,872
226,806
717,915
928,421
1,148,467
2,076,888
1,703,260
1,033,355
1,270,339
2,303,694
2,421,175
151,549
439,682
591,231
1,074,551
881,806
830,657
1,712,463
1,346,624
1,206,844
2,332,360
3,539,204
3,016,635
8,107
342,816
350,923
351,929
1,198,737
1,989,544
3,188,281
2,664,706
989,251
-
989,251
988,414
209,486
-
209,486
190,357
-
1,989,544
1,989,544
1,485,935
1,198,737
1,989,544
3,188,281
2,664,706

These financial statements were approved and signed by the members of the board and authorised for issue on 31st August 2023

Ken Brundle, Chairman

David Hendron, Honorary Treasurer

The notes on pages 40 to 43 form part of these financial statements. Company Registration Number: NI 12711

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 39

Statement of Cash Flows for year ending 31 March 2023

Cash Flows from operating activities
Net Income/(Expenditure)
Adjustments for
Depreciation of Tangible Fixed Assets
Increase/(Decrease) in Deferred Capital Grant
(Increase)/Decrease in Trade and Other Debtors
Increase/(Decrease) in Trade and Other Creditors
Net Cash (used in)/from Operating Activities
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchase of Tangible Assets
Disposal of Tangible Assets
Net Cash used in Investing Activities
Net Increase /(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of the Year
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
due to Exchange Rate Movements
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of the Year		 2023
2022
£
£
524,446
659,599
25,982
7,995
(1,006)
(1,006)
491,109
(383,485)
(483,320)
837,627
557,211
1,120,730
(187,508)
(801,065)
4,796
20,961
(182,712)
(780,104)
374,499
340,626
1,703,260
1,367,871
(871)
(5,237)
2,076,888
1,703,260

Notes to the accounts

1 Statement of Compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS102, ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland’, the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP (FRS102)) and the Charities Act 2008.

2 Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going concern There are no material uncertainities about the charity’s ability to continue.

Fund accounting Unrestricted funds are available for use, at the discretion of the trustees, to further any of the charity’s purposes.

Restricted funds are subject to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or funder or through the terms of an appeal.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

These are classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it is regarded as restricted.

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure is classified unde headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Depreciation

Purchased assets, which individually exceed £1000 at cost are included in the balance sheet at historic cost less depreciation and any impairment in accordance with FRS 102.

Fixed Assets are depreciated over the period of their useful lives as follows:

Land not depreciated
Buildings 2.5% straight-line
Equipment 10% straight line
Computers 25% straight line
Vehicles - cars and vans 15% straight line

Depreciation for specialist conservation equipment with limited resale value would normally be depreciated over the lifetime of the project in which they are used.

Grants

Government and other grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable. Grants are not recognised until there is reasonable assurance that the charity will comply with the conditions attaching to them and the grants will be received.

Foreign currency

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at rates prevailing at the date of the transaction.

Pensions

Ulster Wildlife operates a defined contribution pension scheme and matches employee contributions to the scheme at a maximum rate of 7% of salary.

Taxation

The organisation is a registered charity with HMRC and is therefore not liable for taxation to the extent that any surplus or gains arising are wholly applied to its charitable objects.

The company is registered for VAT. Much of the income is either exempt or outside the scope of VAT.

Consequently, it is not possible to recover most of the VAT incurred on expenditure. Income and expenditure are shown exclusive of recoverable VAT.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 40

Notes to the accounts

3 Donations & Legacies

3 Donations & Legacies
Legacy & In Memory Giving
Membership Contributions inc. Gift Aid
Corporate Support
Other Gifts & Donations		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
3,320
-
61,166
-
416,757
-
420,319
-
26,491
58,500
7,500
10,000
6,141
14,147
28,919
10,201
452,709
72,647
517,904
20,201

4 Conservation Grants

4 Conservation Grants
DAERA Environment Fund
DAERA Maritime and Fisheries Fund
Department for Infrastructure Living Places and Spaces Fund
Environmental Farming Scheme
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
EU- Interreg VA
Garfeld Weston Foundation
Kreitman Foundation
Landfll Communities Fund
Marine Institute
Ministry of Defence
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts
Save Our Seas Foundation		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
-
1,092,606
-
1,257,842
-
47,625
-
-
-
10,000
-
-
-
231,641
-
195,673
-
103,250
-
150,000
-
247,531
-
410,941
-
30,000
-
30,000
-
11,600
-
15,000
-
2,167
-
4,419
-
1,623
-
1,617
-
14,249
-
17,684
-
116,438
-
92,307
-
10,000
-
-
-
-
-
2,794
-
1,918,730
-
2,178,277
5 Landfll Environmental Projects
Landfll Contributions Received
Expenditure
Entrust Administration Fee
Direct Project Expenditure
Direct Costs		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
-
227,085
-
337,392
-
227,085
-
337,392
-
8,084
-
9,818
-
276,178
-
238,944
20,166
-
30,490
-
20,166
284,262
30,490
248,762

Notes to the accounts

6 Education & Training Grants
DAERA Environment Fund
Department for Communities
(JobStart Scheme)
Department for Communities
(Covid Recovery Employment and Skills Initiative for Heritage)
Education Authority
European Solidarity Corps
National Lottery Community Fund
(Our Environment, Our Future)
National Lottery Community Fund
(People & Communities)
National Lottery Community Fund
(Empowering Young People 3)
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Other		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
35,744
-
60,471
-
12,012
-
44,249
-
-
-
7,445
-
31,332
-
13,201
-
-
-
22,768
-
74,124
-
74,761
-
60,263
-
61,282
-
31,226
-
29,478
-
58,829
-
-
150
10,000
-
313,655
150
313,530

7 Interest Received

Interest received in Restricted Funds is the interest earned on landfill tax receipts held prior to disbursement, and interest received which is used to fund expenditure on nature reserves. Interest received in unrestricted funds is bank interest earned on other cash balances.

8 Other Income

8 Other Income
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Core Funding
Consultancy
Furlough Income
Sundry income		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
110,000
-
75,000
-
20,198
-
34,495
63,891
-
-
7,312
-
46,620
41,880
42,281
24,971
176,818
41,880
159,088
88,862
9 Expenditure on Raising Donations & Legacies
Travel
Professional Fees
Printed Materials, Misc
Wages & Salary Costs		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
62
-
-
-
92
-
-
-
14,338
-
10,369
-
65,961
-
80,363
-
80,453
-
90,732
-

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 41

Notes to the accounts

Notes to the accounts
10 Charitable Activities

Landfll Environmental Projects
Nature Conservation
Environmental Education & Training
Membership Support Costs
Organisation Support Costs
Depreciation
Bank Interest & Charges
Auditors Remuneration
(Proft)/Loss on Disposal of Fixed Asset		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
20,167
284,262
304,429
279,252
227,489
1,355,435
1,582,924
1,912,891
73,714
158,128
231,842
285,336
106,115
-
106,115
75,251
325,698
43,965
369,663
307,847
17,503
12,270
29,773
24,791
5,109
-
5,109
4,784
4,725
-
4,725
3,780
-
(841)
(841)
3,159
780,520
1,853,219
2,633,739
2,897,091

11 Expenditure on Charitable Activities

Landfll Environmental Projects
Nature Conservation
Environmental Education
Membership Support Costs
Organisation Support Costs
Other- Depreciation, Bank Charges, Audit.		 Other
Staf Costs direct costs
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
16,130
288,298
304,428
279,252
678,958
903,966
1,582,924
1,912,891
203,329
28,514
231,843
285,336
46,042
60,073
106,115
75,251
192,359
177,304
369,663
307,847
-
38,766
38,766
36,514
1,136,818
1,496,921
2,633,739
2,897,091
Other Direct costs
Envi
Environmental
Projects
Direct Project Costs
Premises Costs
Postage, Printing & Stationery
Staf Travel and Vehicle Costs
Contracted Services
Staf Training
Council Costs
Information Technology		 Landfll
Nature
Environmental Membership &
Total
ronmental
Conservation
Education
Organisation
Projects
Projects
Projects Support Costs
£
£
£
£
£
284,262
114,056
15,490
15,373
429,181
4,036
24,433
1,280
115,701
145,450
-
3,869
522
41,385
45,776
-
63,060
2,146
15,125
80,331
-
666,125
2,440
15,713
684,278
-
16,847
4,210
2,316
23,373
-
-
-
4,281
4,281
-
15,576
2,426
27,483
45,485
288,298
903,966
28,514
237,377
1,458,155

Notes to the accounts

Notes to the accounts
12 Depreciation
Motor Vehicles
Equipment
Buildings		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
£
£
3,499
12,270
5,759
-
8,245
-		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
2022
2022
£
£
3,499
6,499
6,548
-
8,245
-
17,503
12,270		 18,292
6,499
13 Staf Costs
Salaries and Wages
Social Security Costs
Pension Contributions		 2023
2022
£
£
1,044,198
1,033,452
93,964
91,548
64,617
73,321
1,202,779
1,198,321

One employee received emoluments of more than £60,000. The average number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents, was 33.6. (2022- 36.5).

The key management personnel comprise the trustees and the members of the senior management team. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel was £287,960. (2022: £271,838).

14 Transfer Between Funds

14 Transfer Between Funds
Landfll Fund Adminstration Costs
Project Contribution to Organisation Support Costs
Conservation Work at Glendun
Match Funding for DAERA Funding		 2023
2022
£
£
20,166
30,490
213,101
160,530
-
2,107
(10,005)
(20,733)
223,262
172,394

15 Board Remuneration and Related Party Transactions

Helen Surgenor was appointed to the Board in the year to 31 March 2022. She is the spouse of a current staff member. No members of the Board received any remuneration during the year in their capacity as Trustees. No travel and subsistence costs were paid on behalf of trustees during the year. (2022 £NIL). No travel and subsistence costs were paid to trustees during the year. (2022 £NIL).

No trustees received payment for professional services supplied to the charity (2022 £NIL). No balances are owed to trustees at 31st March 2023.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 42

Notes to the accounts

Notes to the accounts
16 Fixed Assets
COST OR VALUATION
At 1 April 2022
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2023
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2022
Charge for year
Disposals
At 31 March 2023
NBV at 31 March 2023
including restricted assets of		 Nature
Land &
Motor
Equipment
Reserves
Buildings
Vehicles
& Computers
TOTAL
£
£
£
£
£
1,161,966
589,355
149,464
76,674 1,977,459
78,192
-
22,399
86,917 187,508
-
-
-
(4,796)
(4,796)
1,240,158
589,355
171,863
158,795 2,160,171
-
165,285
83,613
58,550 307,448
-
8,245
16,774
5,759
30,778
-
-
-
(4,796)
(4,796)
-
173,530
100,387
59,513 333,430
1,240,158
415,825
71,476
99,282 1,826,741
1,200,158
150,000
64,628
86,917 1,501,703

Glendun farm has been included at probate value of £150,000.

17 Debtors

Debtors and Prepayments
Grants
Tax Refunds Due		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
85,958
73,530
68,901
10,349
-
48,342
118,405
499,575
18,976
-
20,685
-
104,934
121,872
207,991
509,924
18 Creditors Falling Due Within One Year

Sundry Creditors and Accrued Expenditure		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
151,549
439,682
77,373
997,178

A specific provision has been created in the year of £60k for roof repairs identified as necessary at McClelland House.

19 Creditors Falling Due After More Than One Year

Capital Grants		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
8,107
342,816
9,113
342,816

Notes to the accounts

20 Movement on Unrestricted Funds
Opening Balance
Surplus for the Year
Transfer to Fund for the Future
Closing Balance		 Unrestricted Unrestricted
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
£
£
988,414
942,333
23,158
127,247
(22,321)
(81,166)
989,251
988,414

21 Movement on Restricted Funds

21 Movement on Restricted Funds
Opening Balance
Net Income/(Expenditure) for the year
Transfer from/(to) Fund for the Future
Closing Balance		 Restricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
£
£
1,485,935
790,226
500,417
527,115
3,192
168,594
1,989,544
1,485,935

Some funders pay in advance and other funders issue payment only after the expenditure has been incurred. The movement on restricted funds in any year is a result of timing differences between receipts of grants for restricted projects and the related expenditure.

22 Movement on Fund for the Future

22 Movement on Fund for the Future
Opening Balance
Income from Donations and Legacies
UW Contribution to the Purchase of Land
Closing Balance		 Designated Designated
Fund for the Fund for the
Future
Future
2023
2022
£
£
190,357
277,785
22,321
81,166
(3,192)
(168,594)
209,486
190,357

Fund for the Future includes monies from gifts in wills and legacy donations and other donations, including restricted donations. It will be used to purchase and manage nature reserves, protect key species as well as educate and support future wildlife champions.

23 Contingent Liability

A portion of grants received may become repayable if the charity fails to comply with the terms of the relevant letters of offer.

24 Taxation

As a charity, Ulster Wildlife Trust is exempt from tax on income and gains to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. Ulster Wildlife is registered for VAT in relation to some specific taxable supplies. The net amount payable on taxable supplies was £13,496 in the period (2022 £13,750).

25 Company Status

Ulster Wildlife Trust Limited is a private company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the members is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the company in the event of liquidation.

Ulster Wildlife Trust | Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23 | 43

----- Start of picture text -----
School children at the launch of Glenarm native oyster nursery
----- End of picture text -----

Ulster Wildlife is Northern Ireland’s largest local nature conservation charity. We are working to bring nature back across Northern Ireland and secure a wilder future where people and nature are thriving together.

Join us now and together we can make a real difference www.ulsterwildlife.org/join-us

Get in touch

info@ulsterwildlife.org 028 9045 5094

www.ulsterwildlife.org twitter.com/ulsterwildlife facebook.com/ulsterwildlife instagram.com/ulsterwildlife linkedin.com/company/ulster-wildlife

We are proud to be one of 46 independent Wildlife Trusts working across the UK

Ulster Wildlife Trust, (operating as Ulster Wildlife) is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101848 and is a not-for-profit company incorporated in Northern Ireland, limited by guarantee NI 12711.

Cover Image Four-spotted chaser dragonfly, Lough Neagh © Simon Gray