New Chief Exec for Surrey Wildlife Trust

Published on: 8 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 10 Feb, 2019

Jane Chimbwandira

The new chief executive of Surrey Wildlife Trust is Sarah Jane Chimbwandira, director at the trust for 10 years. She is also director and co-founder of the Surrey Nature Partnership and trustee for the Surrey Hills Society.

Sarah Jane brings a wealth of experience to the role with skills essential to the trust’s new five-year strategy.

Sarah Jane started work for the trust as a university student while studying zoology. She volunteered for an invertebrate survey of species along the old A3 before to the Hindhead tunnel.  She then took the post of membership secretary in 1997 and, with a brief interlude at Surrey County Council, has worked for the Trust ever since, across land management, GIS and mapping, planning, biodiversity, evidence and policy departments.

Seeing not only the decline in wildlife but also the importance of Surrey landscapes, such as the Surrey Hills, to local people and the economy, Sarah Jane proposed a solution to the lack of investment in the natural environment in the report she co-authored Natural Capital Investment Plan for Surrey.  She is frequently invited to speak to groups across Surrey and the UK, most recently at the Surrey Hills AONB Symposium at the University of Surrey.

Sarah Jane said: “This is a significant moment in our history for two reasons. First, the Environment Bill is going through Parliament and this is a unique opportunity to secure the future of our countryside. Even if Surrey residents do nothing else, I urge them to back a strong environment bill.  It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“Second, it’s 60 years since the wonderful founders of the Surrey Wildlife Trust came together to increase biodiversity and engage people in the natural environment. That’s still what we’re all about. Surrey is our county, this is your Wildlife Trust and I want local groups and people to get in touch and let me know what they want us to focus on. There’s a lot of work to do, and together we can really make a positive difference for wildlife.”

Paul Wickham, chairman of the Surrey Nature Partnership, said: “Sarah Jane is an incredibly determined and visionary environmentalist. I believe her strength as a leader is down to a simple and practical approach to engaging and working with others to achieve collective success. I’m looking forward to seeing the changes she will make at the Trust.’

Sarah Jane will lead the trust’s five-year plan, called “Restoring Surrey’s Nature”. This focuses on three key areas: Thames Basin heaths, the North Downs and Holmesdale wetlands, aimed at creating a “living landscape” with connective hedgerows, rivers, nature reserves and green spaces across Surrey where wildlife can flourish.

The plan depends upon successful collaboration and engagement with communities and people across the county.  Sarah Jane’s first priority is to meet members, volunteers, staff, specialist wildlife groups, community groups and partners to listen to their wildlife ambitions.  To find out how to meet Sarah Jane, learn of opportunities to hear her speak and ask questions please visit www.surreywildlifetrust.org

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