Wildlife Trust hails landmark step in protecting Suffolk’s biodiversity
A network of private land supporting Suffolk’s wildlife has now reached an incredible 1,000 hectares, that's more than 1,300 football pitches.
A network of private land dedicated to supporting Suffolk’s wildlife has now reached an incredible 1,000 hectares, the equivalent of more than 1,300 football pitches.
Over 200 plots are registered with Suffolk Wildlife Trust as Private Nature Reserves (PNRs), ranging from gardens to large fields, all managed solely for the benefit of wildlife.
Graham Hart, Conservation Advisor at Suffolk Wildlife Trust, who leads the scheme, said while the Trust doesn’t own the land, they do offer advice and support:
“They’re not technically within the Wildlife Trust remit because they’re private nature reserves. So we don’t have any involvement with them as such, we don’t own them. But we do help with advising people on the management of these sites.”
That support often includes visits, where Graham offers practical guidance.
“We will go out and have a look around with the landowner present and just give them a few hints and tips about what they can do to make their land a little bit more special for wildlife,” he explained.
The wider benefits
Hart says these small patches of land play a vital role in connecting the wider countryside:
“We’ve got lots of nature reserves and we’ve got lots of farmers doing some fantastic things for wildlife. But we’ve also got all the land in between, which is generally in private ownership,” he said.
By advising landowners on how to manage these areas, the Trust is helping to create more connected habitats, boosting biodiversity and giving wildlife the best chance to flourish.
Graham added that even something as simple as learning the names of trees and plants can spark a deeper care for nature. “If you learn the names of things, it makes you care about them more in some strange way,” he said, a principle that’s helping more landowners take meaningful steps on their own conservation journeys.
Getting more people involved
For Graham, sparking curiosity about the natural world is part of what makes the PNR network thrive.
“I do remember going for walks and seeing the trees and how beautiful the trees were and thinking, oh, these trees have names. I wonder what that tree is called. That was one thing I’d remember when I was younger that probably started me going down this route.”
He added: “Knowledge is a beautiful thing. People think you’re an expert, but really you’ve just looked it up. Anybody can do that. If you learn the names of things, it makes you care about them more in some strange way. That seems to work quite well with private nature reserves too.”
The PNRs sit alongside Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s 50 public nature reserves, such as Lackford Lakes and Carlton Marshes, but offer a more personal contribution to conservation.
Graham encouraged more landowners to consider registering their plots as private nature reserves, whether it’s a large field or a small garden.
He said the Trust offers advisory visits, meet-ups and opportunities to share experiences with others in the network, which can make the process rewarding. “One of the most satisfying aspects of my work with PNR owners is seeing their passion for wildlife conservation and the collective contribution the network makes,” he said.
He added that by connecting with like-minded people and learning simple conservation techniques, anyone can play a part in improving biodiversity across Suffolk.
Graham says the scheme is open to anyone:
“People might want to get in contact with us, and they can find a web page on Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s website about private nature reserves, just use your favourite search engine.”