2010 will be a very exciting year for the Trust. We have recently acquired an adjoining piece of land and now have planning permission to build an extension which will include new and enlarged enclosures for some of our animals and total wheelchair access to the whole new area. It will also allow us to provide an educational facility, a rest area for our volunteers and a veterinary examination room.

The educational work of the Trust is taking on an increasingly important role. Previously much of this work has been undertaken on an outreach basis with our Community Education Programme, travelling to schools, nurseries and various adult groups. Our new Education and Research Officer and a dedicated education building will increase our current capacity and allow us to expand our work in this area. It will ensure that all our visitors, including the young, will have access to a valuable learning resource.

Extensive changes are also being made to the front of the Trust to make it wheelchair accessible.

We are also helping our native wildlife by including native shrubs and trees and a wildlife pond.

At present, there are many species that are not kept at the zoo because they are nocturnal. In the few zoos that have nocturnal houses, these animals live indoors in accommodation with reverse lighting so that people can see them during the day. Shaldon Wildlife Trust wishes to so something truly unique by opening the zoo at night. By mixing diurnal (daytime) animals with nocturnal animals in the same enclosures, we can simulate nature with a "day shift" and a "night shift" and offer visitors a unique and exciting attraction.