The oldest wildlife trust in the country was founded in Norfolk in 1926.

NWT now manages over 60 nature reserves and other protected sites including 10km of coastline, nine Norfolk broads, nine National Nature Reserves and five ancient woodlands.

The last century has seen the expansion of its reserves, and significant recoveries of breeding birds and other precious wildlife.

Chief executive Eliot Lyne said this year's centenary was an opportunity to celebrate the trust's many successes - but also to galvanise efforts to safeguard the county's wildlife for the next 100 years, within a shifting landscape of climate change and political upheavals.

Eliot Lyne, chief executive of Norfolk Wildlife Trust (Image: Josie Collins)

"We are the oldest wildlife trust in the country, and what a great thing it is to arrive at our centenary - in rude health, and full of passion, commitment and purpose," he said.

"We closed our 99th year with record membership and income; we are managing more land than ever for wildlife; and broadening our work to support landowners and communities to connect with and support the wildlife on their doorstep.

"Whilst we are succeeding, we do so in a troubling context – government support for our agenda is waning, nature has become politicised and the impacts of climate change are impacting our landscapes and communities.

Swallowtail butterfly on a nettle at Strumpshaw Fen (Image: Elizabeth Dack)

"Our centenary offers an opportunity to draw a line in the sand – to move from wildlife decline to recovery. As we reflect on all that we’ve achieved and learned over the past century, we intend on bringing all our passion and ambition to bear as we look forwards to the next 100 years with hope."

We asked Norfolk Wildlife Trust to share its most significant nature successes from the last century - here are its highlights:

In 1926, Dr. Sydney Long bought 176 hectares of marsh at Cley, "sparking a century of tireless dedication to the........

© Norwich Evening News