The UK faces a significant challenge to tackle the nature and climate crises, which threaten our homes, environment, health, and quality of life. As the county's nature charity, we are at the forefront of tackling these environmental crises by bringing back nature at scale and securing climate resilience; and local businesses are getting involved as part of our new Corporate Partnerships program.

The program offers businesses the opportunity to actively supporrt us across the county by sponsoring our nature reserves and landscape restoration projects. Sponsorships are pooled into a dedicated 'nature reserves and restoration fund', ensuring each reserve receives the care and attention needed all year round.

Leading the way as the program’s very first “Nature Guardian” is Suffolk Building Society who have proudly chosen to be “twinned with” Martlesham Wilds near Woodbridge; one the Trust’s newest and most rapidly developing natures reserves. The Society’s support will contribute directly to preserving this exceptional wildlife haven for the enjoyment of future generations and their members.

Richard Norrington, CEO at Suffolk Building Society, says:

“Our region is blessed with some of the most vital natural habitats in the country, but we know these are increasingly under threat. Suffolk Building Society is firmly committed to providing safe homes for our communities – and that includes a safe home for local nature as well. To become the Reserve Guardian of Martlesham Wilds is a privilege. It’s such a significant site, both in terms of its size and its location by the River Deben. I’m looking forward to seeing how the landscape evolves in the coming years, and which species return to the area. I’m deeply proud that local people will be able to walk through Martlesham Wilds in the decades ahead and watch the landscape change, as it develops into what it naturally wants to be.”

Rebecca Newman, COO at Suffolk Building Society, says:

“Nature reserves are havens for wildlife, but it’s also been fascinating to hear from Suffolk Wildlife Trust just how vital these spaces are for our own health and wellbeing too. Suffolk Building Society was founded 175 years ago to help empower local communities across the county. We take that duty very seriously today, so becoming a Reserve Guardian for Martlesham Wilds is an important way we can continue to give back to the people of Suffolk for generations to come. I’m looking forward to sharing the reserve with my children so they can hopefully enjoy returning curlew, avocet, and redshank in the future.”

We are thrilled to announce that [as of August 2025] we have a total of eight businesses supporting nature in Suffolk as a 'Reserve Guardian'. They are: 

• Suffolk Building Society, twinned with Martlesham Wilds
• Axter, twinned with Hutchinson’s Meadow
• Harwich Haven Authority, twinned with Trimley Marshes
• okoHaus, twinned with Combs Wood
• MSC, twinned with Trimley Marshes
• J McCann & Co, twinned with Lackford Lakes
• Tingdene Group, twinned with Carlton Marshes
• Chestnut, twinned with Lackford Lakes

This growing network of Reserve Guardians demonstrates the incredible community spirit and shared commitment to safeguarding Suffolk’s unique natural heritage.

Sophie Flux, Senior Business Partnerships Officer at Suffolk Wildlife Trust, says:

“Nature and climate are two sides of the same coin, so whatever your business’s key motivator, working with a nature charity can have far reaching results. Whether you are looking to donate, sponsor, fundraise, or volunteer, we can work together for a greener future. Whatever stage your business is at in terms of it’s environmental ambitions, we would love to hear from you.”

Contact the Partnerships team on philanthropy@suffolkwildlifetrust.org, or visit our Corporate Partnerships webpage.