Daphne Burnett has always been a dedicated supporter of protecting wildlife and encouraging biodiversity, Having bought the land in Ashtead from the estate of the late Lord Barnby she set about managing and protecting it.

In 2011 she decided to set aside 14 acres of land that bridged the Rye Brook and create a Jubilee Wood. She sought the assistance of Surrey Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency and the Woodland Trust and thus began the conservation scheme Ashtead Rye Meadows Wetlands. She encouraged local people to volunteer and then manage the Meadows and gave very generous support over the years. She also linked the land with Fields in Trust and set aside one field, Centenary Field, to commemorate the fallen from Ashtead in World War 1.

In 2025 she and her husband, George, gave the 14 acres of Rye Meadows to Surrey Wildlife Trust to continue her work supporting wildlife in Ashtead. She still owns other land in Ashtead and this too is now managed on her behalf by Surrey Wildlife Trust.

The award of Honorary Membership is very much deserved.