Sweet Briar Marshes Project Partnership

In 2022, close to the centre of Norwich, Sweet Briar Marshes came up for sale: 90 acres of fen, rough meadow, grazing marsh, old hedgerows and young woodland, full of incredible wildlife. Long term corporate supporters Aviva generously agreed to enter a project partnership with Norfolk Wildlife Trust to acquire the site, preserving it for nature and the people of Norwich. Aviva match funded a public appeal to raise the purchase price and the initial restoration, resulting in the fastest successful appeal in NWT's history - £600,000 raised in less than four months, thanks in great part to Aviva's £300k match. Phase 1 also funded community consultation on an unprecedented scale, as NWT sought the views and aspirations for the site of the population on estates and wards surrounding it, in the city Aviva has called home for almost 300 years. A subsequent donation of a further £300,000 in 2023 allowed creation of access, paths, waymarking and other site infrastructure, leading up to the site opening to the public in May 2024. Aviva have just confirmed a future funding pledge of £702,000 over two years for on and off-site infrastructure, dedicated staff roles and habitat management and monitoring.