Every part of our vital work relies on the financial support of our members and donors, and we are immeasurably grateful for every contribution which helps us create real, tangible impacts on the communities and nature of Kent.

Unfortunately, in these difficult economic times, every action that we take at Kent Wildlife Trust costs more. From community gardens, all the way through to landscape-scale wilding projects like Wilder Blean, your support has never been more important.

Therefore, we are asking those of you who can to become the heroes that Kent's wildlife needs and help us defend it.

Just a few of our at-risk species:

Our mission for the future is simple: to work closely with landowners, partners and communities to create a #WilderKent where nature is in recovery and valued as a critical human life support system.

However, in September the UK Government set out plans to revoke crucial environmental regulations, including 570 laws surrounding habitat protection, water quality and sewage pollution. Find out more here.

These plans pose a clear threat to wildlife and also have the potential to significantly impact people's health, with free rein being given to bypass environmental laws and pollute our waters and countryside.

The move has been condemned by experts as an "attack on nature" and directly contradicts strong scientific research evidencing that one of the most effective and immediate steps to combat climate change is the protection of natural spaces and the restoration of functioning ecosystems.

These plans also mean that 17 sites in Kent lose some of their special protection. Many of these sites are a refuge for rare, endangered and protected species, from the stunning orchids of Park Gate Down, to the curlew sandpipers and grey seals of Sandwich and Pegwell Bay, along with wetland features that protect our communities from flooding.

For countless numbers of you, these places - and the species that call them home - hold a special place in your heart and memories. Our ambition is to create a #WilerKent, to protect and grow these important places and, in the process, bring everyone closer to the nature that nourishes us.

Now more than ever, our wild areas are in crisis.

The natural world isn't just something for us to enjoy; it sustains all of us - our families, our communities and our planet.