Dorset Wildlife Trust launches £100,000 fundraising appeal

They want to protect, enhance and expand nature reserves

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 21st Oct 2024

Dorset's Wildlife Trust has launched a fundraising appeal, with the aim of protecting, enhancing and expanding habitats across the county.

The Nature Reserves Fund |newtab) is looking to raise £100,000 towards their annual maintenance costs of £800,000.

The charity manages 42 reserves spanning 1,950 hectares - but they say they're facing increasing threats from habitat loss, climate change, and human activity.

Dormice are a common species for Dorset that the Wildlife Trust is working to protect

It's claimed the new fund will enable Dorset Wildlife Trust to safeguard habitats, helping wildlife to thrive whilst restoring degraded landscapes and making more space for nature.

Steve Masters, Reserves Ecological Manager at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said:

“I see first-hand the effort it takes to make sure nature reserves continue to support wildlife. It gives me great hope to see the fruits of our reserves staff and volunteers’ labour, like more dragonflies darting around Upton Heath’s ponds and dormice settling into nest boxes at Bracketts Coppice.

"But it takes planning, equipment and hard work to make it happen and I know how much more there is to do to restore wildlife diversity and abundance in Dorset. We need your help now to continue our fight to safeguard these special places for future generations and inspire more people to appreciate and support Dorset’s natural heritage.”

Bracketts Coppice is among the sites that Dorset Wildlife Trust manages and wants to enhance

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