Colchester Institute has become a Platinum Investor of Essex Wildlife Trust which forms the centrepiece of a new partnership that aims to deliver mutual benefits. The new partnership presents a significant step in the College’s response to the local nature crisis and will create opportunities for staff, students and the wider community to engage with the work of Essex’s leading conservation charity which is committed to protecting wildlife and habitats.
Colchester Institute has already made significant strides towards reducing its impact on the environment through various initiatives that were implemented following a declaration of a climate emergency in 2021.
Whilst the College remains committed to halving its carbon footprint by 2030, it has now taken a further step to incorporate nature recovery priorities into its Environmental and Sustainability Strategy. This includes actions as recommended by the Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy in enhancing habitats on college land, including rewilding campuses and implementing further sustainable practices. The College will be supporting the Trust’s vision to deliver a significant and measurable impact for wildlife conservation through its actions in informing students through its curriculum, as well as staff and stakeholders of the role we all need to play in addressing the challenges for nature brought by climate change.
Essex Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity, dedicated to protecting wildlife and inspiring people to value and care for the natural world. Through habitat restoration, educational programmes at reserves and discovery centres, the Trust plays a vital role in shaping a sustainable future. Corporate sponsorships enable the charity to deliver impactful projects and engage communities in environmental action to give nature and wildlife a stronger voice.
Gary Horne MBE, Deputy Chief Executive said “We are incredibly proud to become a platinum corporate investor of Essex Wildlife Trust. We have long admired their achievements and we are delighted to be in a position to provide support for delivery of the 2030 strategic plan to drive nature recovery across Essex.
The work of the Trust resonates strongly with our own sustainability values and our role as an education provider. This partnership not only helps to protect and restore local wildlife habitats but also provides our students with valuable opportunities to learn, volunteer, and play an active part in creating a sustainable future for us all”
Grant Maton, Corporate Communications Officer said “It’s fantastic to have Colchester Institute rejoin us as a Platinum Investor. This partnership is about more than nature protection, it’s about bringing people together to make a difference for wildlife and for our communities. By working with the College, we can inspire students, staff and local people to take action that benefits both the environment and the place we all call home.”
Alison Andreas, Principal and Chief Executive said “We are thrilled with this partnership and alongside the exciting plans to rewild our sites, our college theme for the 2025-26 academic year will be the environment and sustainability with all departments delivering projects by the close of the year that demonstrate a positive impact”
The College Executive at Colchester Institute are presented with their certificate
(L-R) Gary Horne MBE Deputy Chief Executive, Alison Andreas Principal and Chief Executive, Grant Maton Corporate Communications Officer, Ali Davies Deputy Principal, Mark Emerson Vice Principal.
