1% for Nature: how Naturcontact supports the Wildlife Trust

 

Nature is not simply the backdrop to an outdoor life. It is the living system that makes every woodland path, open heath and local green space possible. That is why Naturcontact donates 1% of its revenue to support the work of Surrey Wildlife Trust, helping fund practical initiatives connected to nature recovery, tree planting, habitat restoration and community conservation.

Our connection to the outdoors should be reflected not only in the footwear we create, but also in the landscapes and wildlife we help protect. During the first quarter of 2026, Surrey Wildlife Trust made progress across several important projects, from restoring everyday urban green spaces to managing new habitats and strengthening conservation grazing across Surrey.

Why nature recovery matters to Naturcontact

Naturcontact was created around a simple idea: helping people move more naturally and reconnect with the ground beneath them. Supporting local nature recovery is a direct extension of that purpose. Healthy habitats allow wildlife to thrive, improve access to nature and make outdoor spaces more resilient for future generations.

Surrey Wildlife Trust cares for and supports nature recovery across an estate of more than 5,000 hectares. Its work combines habitat management, scientific conservation, community education and practical action in both rural and urban areas.

Neighbourhoods for Nature: restoring everyday green spaces

One of Surrey Wildlife Trust’s key developments in early 2026 was the launch of its Neighbourhoods for Nature appeal. The initiative focuses on practical nature recovery alongside community education, particularly in Surrey’s suburban and urban areas.

Nature recovery does not happen only in large reserves. Parks, streets, gardens and shared community spaces can form an important network of habitats, giving pollinators, birds and other wildlife more places to feed, shelter and move through the landscape.

Through the wider Wilder Communities programme, Surrey Wildlife Trust helps local groups improve green spaces through actions such as:

• Tree planting and the improvement of local green corridors.
• Urban flood management using nature-based solutions.
• Habitat creation, including bird boxes and pollinator features.
• Community-led conservation that gives residents the knowledge and tools to support wildlife close to home.

Heather and pollinator habitat in Surrey. Photograph: Jon Hawkins – Surrey Hills Photography.

Mindenhurst Park: managing 38 hectares for wildlife and people

In January 2026, Surrey Wildlife Trust took on the management of Mindenhurst Park, a 38-hectare site created from the former Princess Royal Barracks, which was decommissioned in 2013.

The site now contains a varied mosaic of mixed broadleaved and conifer woodland, open grassland and wetland features. Tree species including Sweet Chestnut, Scots Pine and Beech contribute to the site’s ecological resilience and create a more structurally diverse habitat.

Careful long-term management will help improve biodiversity, strengthen connections between habitats and retain an accessible space where local people can experience nature responsibly. This balance between wildlife recovery and meaningful access is especially important in areas close to growing communities.

Heathland landscape at Chobham Common, Surrey. Photograph: Jon Hawkins – Surrey Hills Photography.

Conservation grazing and the future of Elm Farm

Surrey’s chalk grasslands are among the county’s most valuable habitats. They can support a rich variety of wildflowers and invertebrates, but they require active management to prevent scrub and vigorous vegetation from taking over.

Practical heathland management at Chobham Common, including the removal of young trees and scrub to protect open habitat. Photograph: Jon Hawkins – Surrey Hills Photography.

Surrey Wildlife Trust’s conservation grazing herd plays an important role in keeping these landscapes open. By grazing selected sites, livestock help control scrub and maintain the conditions needed by specialist plants, insects and other wildlife.

The Trust has also secured the lease on Elm Farm in the east of Surrey. The additional land will strengthen its ability to manage and expand the conservation grazing herd, while creating an opportunity to demonstrate nature-friendly farming close to London.

The long-term ambition is for local communities and young people to visit, learn about sustainable land management and see nature recovery in action.

Common lizard in Surrey. Photograph: Jon Hawkins – Surrey Hills Photography.

What our 1% commitment supports

When a brand makes an environmental commitment, it should lead to practical and measurable action. Naturcontact’s 1% contribution helps Surrey Wildlife Trust continue work that reaches beyond a single project or location.

The support contributes to a broader programme of nature recovery that includes:

• Restoring and connecting habitats across Surrey.
• Supporting tree planting and wildlife-friendly community spaces.
• Protecting rare grassland, heathland, woodland and wetland habitats.
• Helping people learn about and participate in local conservation.
• Developing more resilient, nature-friendly approaches to land management.

For Naturcontact, this is not a short-term campaign. It is part of our responsibility as a brand whose products are inspired by movement, exploration and a closer connection with nature.

A long-term commitment to outdoor and nature

Protecting nature requires consistent work: managing land season after season, supporting local groups, monitoring habitats and making space for wildlife within the places where people live and work.

We are proud to support Surrey Wildlife Trust and to share the progress made during the first quarter of 2026. As the partnership develops, we will continue to provide updates on the projects, habitats and communities being supported through Naturcontact’s 1% commitment.

Because reconnecting with nature should also mean helping to restore it.