To ensure our longer-term sustainability, the RSPB has been reviewing its operations across the UK so that everything we do aligns to our charitable and strategic aims and delivers the most impact for nature possible, within the resource we have. We focus on what we do best and where we can do this most effectively, with the resources available to us.
Our most recent challenge has been the global and domestic financial pressures of the past two years which have had an ongoing impact; not only on our finances, but also on the finances of our partners, members, and supporters, who are so crucial to helping us save nature.
As part of this review, we looked at our nature reserve operations, including RSPB Rye Meads and we will be exploring options for the future of this reserve during 2025, including potential change of management.
We know and recognise that Rye Meads has a special place in the hearts of many and this review is not one we have undertaken lightly. We are proud that work delivered here by staff and volunteers over the years has benefited wildlife and provided much enjoyment and many opportunities for visitors to connect with and learn about local wildlife and the natural world. This connection with nature will be the long-term legacy of the RSPB’s work at this site. However, moving forward we do need to focus our resources where they can have the most impact for nature and wildlife.
In the coming months we will be looking closely at the long-term future of the site, carefully considering the qualities, challenges and opportunities of the site before reaching any final decisions.
Over the coming year the site will be open to visitors as usual, except for some bank holidays (please check our website for opening days and times).
We will be ending the RSPB school education scheme at Rye Meads.
We have always reviewed and refined our work to focus our resources and ensure we have the biggest impact we can. Following a comprehensive review of our education programmes, we have taken the difficult decision to cease the existing programme of school visits and education sessions guided by RSPB learning officers (also known as the Schools on Reserves programme).
We are now developing a new education model that we believe, over time, will reach even more children and allow them to connect with nature in a much deeper way.
Our education work will now focus on those areas where we can have the greatest impact and where we have a unique role to play. While we will cease the existing programme of school visits and education sessions guided by RSPB learning officers, we will explore new ways to welcome schools to our other nature reserves for free in the future – this will include providing resources to support teachers in planning their visits to our sites, the resources to deliver inspiring learning on our reserves and the guidance on how to extend the value of their visit once they’re back at school. We will be able to share more details about this new offer in 2025.
In the meantime, we remain committed to supporting schools and teachers through activities such as Schools Wild Challenge and Big Schools’ Birdwatch, and by maintaining our current digital resources for teachers on our website. We are also increasing our work with schools through our new 'Environment Leaders' qualification and the development of a teacher CPD programme (Continuing Professional Development) that will build the skills and confidence of teachers to support learning in, through, about, and for nature.
Young people are at the heart of what we do. This is why we offer free entry to nature reserves for those aged 16-24 and our Youth Council recently collaborated on the 2024 Youth in Nature Summit designed to inspire, empower and unite young people and leaders from across the environmental sector.
Change of course is always challenging. Since the RSPB began 135 years ago, we have been working to help create a world where wildlife and people can thrive. As a responsible and prudent charity, we monitor the external environment closely and for the RSPB to continue to tackle the nature and climate emergency, we need to be able to adapt and evolve to the ever-changing external environment around us.
Thanks to the generosity of our members, supporters, partners, funders and volunteers, the RSPB is the UK’s leading charity for nature conservation. For this to continue for years to come, we will be even more focused on where this generous support can have the biggest impact. Thank you for your support.
We will continue to keep you updated on future developments here and on our Facebook page.