Staff and their families from Helston based company Frugi were recently treated to an exclusive wildlife walk at Windmill Farm Nature Reserve on the Lizard, lead by Cornwall Wildlife Trust. This extra-special wildlife experience celebrated Frugi’s fantastic support for the Trust during their eight year relationship.

Frugi, the ever popular organic children’s clothing company, donate funds to the Trust’s Living Seas work as a Trust Wildlife Partner, through its Business Supporter scheme. To date, their donations total an astounding £44,000, raised through the international business-to-charity 1% for the Planet Scheme. The donations are a share of 1% of their annual turnover.

Kurt Jewson, co-founder of Frugi says: “It was a joy to take the Frugi team out of the office for the afternoon, get some fresh air and see first-hand the fantastic work that Cornwall Wildlife Trust does. Frugi is all about creating ‘better business’ and supporting the Trust not only feels great, but also helps them make a real difference to Cornwall’s natural environment.”

The ‘walk in the wilderness’ was an exploration of Windmill Farm Nature Reserve, which includes grassland, heathland, scrub, bog and swamp habitats. The afternoon featured a tour of the 185 acres site, with information about managing the land for wildlife, which was lead by Callum Deveney, Head of Nature Reserves and Nick Marriott, West Cornwall Reserves Manager for the Trust.

The site is host to an array of species. On the walk the group discovered adder, small pearl-bordered fritillary, emperor dragonflies and common blue damselflies, heath spotted orchids, Cornish heath and the rare Lizard track ways plants including pillwort, pygmy rush and yellow century. It also contains a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the 17th Century windmill, as well as Bronze Age barrows and Second World War pill boxes.

Callum Deveney, Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Head of Nature Reserves, says: “The trust is extremely grateful for the support it gets from its Business Supporters. It was fantastic to have the opportunity to say thank you and show Frugi what we do on the ground and especially so at such an amazing wildlife site like Windmill Farm Nature Reserve.”

As Cornwall’s leading conservation charity, the trust works to protect Cornwall’s wildlife both on

land and in our seas. It cares for 56 nature reserves all over the county; protecting, improving and creating habitats for wildlife, which contributes greatly to Cornwall’s character. With a membership of 15,000 and over 95 Business Members, Cornwall Wildlife Trust has great support from local businesses that recognise the importance of looking after their county’s wealth of wildlife, for all to enjoy.

Keith Hambly-Staite, Chairman of the Trust’s Marketing and Fundraising Committee says,

“Being able to spend some time with our Business Supporters is very important to us. The time spent with Frugi gave us all an opportunity to thank them for their support, to share their ethos and values and to exchange ideas. We were also able to show them something special about the Trust and what we stand for in protecting wildlife for the future. On behalf of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, I would like to say a big thank you to Frugi for its generous support and encouragement.”

A growing number of businesses from all over the county are realising the importance of protecting Cornwall’s wildlife and wild places, vowing to give something back to local wildlife by joining Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Business Supporter scheme.

Serena Pettigrew-Jolly, Head of Marketing and Fundraising for the Trust says, “We are so happy to have the tremendous support from local businesses of all sizes, all of whom are passionate about making a difference to Cornwall’s environment. We are particularly proud of the wonderful relationship we have built with Wildlife Partner Frugi. We cannot thank them enough for their support.”

“Through 1% FTP, or through our Business Supporter scheme which can be tailored to your specific business, you too can contribute to a more sustainable future for Cornwall. Please do get in touch to find out more about how we can work together.”

Becoming a Wildlife Partner, which costs £1000 (+VAT), provides businesses with the opportunity to both support Cornwall’s wildlife and receive premium benefits, which include:

An exclusive guided walk for staff, colleagues and stakeholders on a Trust Nature Reserve

Discounted Trust membership for staff

Certificate presentation made by Jan Pentreath, President of Cornwall Wildlife Trust

A dedicated press release on joining

Plus all the usual benefits of Business Membership (£250+VAT), including use of the Trust’s Business Supporter’s logo, website and magazine listing, and access to Trust services, plus many more.

cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/business