THE WILDLIFE TRUST
At the Railway Land Wildlife Trust, we believe that looking through the lens of nature transforms how we understand, engage with and care for the natural world.
By respecting and working with natural processes, we create spaces where people feel deeply connected to the ecosystems around them. Through mindful exploration, dynamic conservation and community-led projects, we offer enriching ways for people to experience and support the environment in lasting, meaningful ways. We do this through:
Advocating for nature: We work boldly to promote the voice of wildlife. We celebrate the many ways people experience and understand the natural world. Each connection, no matter how it’s formed, strengthens our collective appreciation for nature and our responsibility to protect it.
Creating pathways: We offer both tangible paths — across green spaces and natural habitats—and intangible ones, guiding personal journeys with nature that adapt to every stage of life.
Collaborating to amplify impact: We believe in partnerships and collective efforts. By working with others — from individuals, and grassroots organisations to statutory bodies — we ensure that our collective impact is greater than the sum of our parts.
Pioneering approaches for broader change: As a test bed for innovative land management and nature-centred thinking, we explore ideas that can inspire and be scaled by others. Our vision is to make the Railway Land a model for how people and nature can thrive together—locally and beyond.
The Trust was founded by local people in 1988, passionate about preserving this beautiful, tranquil place. It is based in the Linklater Pavilion, a purpose built environmental education centre on the
edge of the nature reserve and a stone’s throw from the shopping centre of Lewes. The Railway Land was formerly a railway marshalling yard and was declared a nature reserve in 1995. The site covers almost 40 hectares and is situated in the South Downs National Park and the Brighton and Lewes Downs UNESCO World Biosphere Region.​​