[C]umbria Wildlife Trust’s Director, Peter Bullard, has announced his retirement after 30 years of service. Peter has been instrumental in developing the organisation into one of the UK’s best local wildlife charities. He joined Cumbria Wildlife Trust in 1988 and took over as Director in 1994.
John Farmer, Chairman of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “Peter’s many friends and colleagues at Cumbria Wildlife Trust and in the broader wildlife conservation community wish him well in his deserved retirement. In his 26 years as Director he has been successfully working to positively influence so many aspects of Cumbria’s wildlife, whilst managing this ever expanding charity. His achievements are far too numerous to list here.”
Highlights of Peter’s time as Director of Cumbria Wildlife Trust include:
- An end to the destruction of limestone pavements in Cumbria following years of campaigning by Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
- Creating over 2,000 acres of new nature reserve including Foulshaw Moss and Eycott Hill.
- 30 years of progress in peat conservation from seeing all but one peat extraction site in the county close down to the restoration of numerous damaged peatlands in the uplands of Cumbria.
- 15 years of meadow restoration in Cumbria and helping create 60 new Coronation Meadows across England and Wales to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2016.
- Keeping red squirrels widespread in Cumbria.
- Helping otters to recolonise every river in Cumbria; they were considered extinct in 1988.
- Tripling the number of volunteers and members involved in helping the Trust.
Peter Bullard said: “I have been immensely privileged and proud to have worked for one of the best organisations in Cumbria. It has been amazing to work with so many dedicated and enthusiastic people and together we have made a real difference. I have been supported and encouraged by the many caring members, and friends, who give Cumbria Wildlife Trust its special warmth, and by a dedicated team of Trustees. I am proud that we have built a large, staunch and dedicated band of volunteers supported by a uniquely skilled and hugely committed staff team.
“Being Director of Cumbria Wildlife Trust is more than a full time job and I couldn’t have achieved anything without the support of my wife Lindsay. We both love wild flowers so this will give us time to enjoy botanising together. There are also many mountains which need climbing and I will carry on helping to conserve the very special wildlife and wild places of Cumbria.
“The process of recruiting a successor will take quite a while, I will do all I can to support them as they pick up the reins and will stay as long as is necessary.”
