One simple way you can act for nature is by reconnecting with it. The hustle and bustle of modern-day life has left a lot of us disconnected from the natural world, and the increasing pressure of humans has pushed wildlife to the edges of many communities. But studies have shown that immersing yourself in nature can have many benefits to your physical health and mental wellbeing. What’s more, by reconnecting with nature, you will likely begin to grow a greater appreciation for wildlife and the habitats they live in, making it easier for you to identify more ways you can act for nature.

Get out and explore one or more of our 40 precious nature reserves across Dorset and breathe in the fresh air, close your eyes and listen to the beautiful sound of bird song and discover some of Dorset’s beautiful species in their natural habitat.

Unable to access our nature reserves? Another wonderful way to engage with nature is by viewing wildlife from the comfort of your own home via one of our wildlife webcams! Dorset Wildlife Trust currently has three wildlife webcams up and running; the barn owl webcam at Lorton Meadows where the owl parents are still sheltering after their chicks have fledged, and two webcams situated on the Brownsea Lagoon, looking out from the Tern and Avocet Hides.

Did you know that each year, an estimated eight million tonnes of litter enter the ocean around the world? And once plastic makes its way into the sea, it does not disappear, it simply breaks down into smaller micro-plastics which have a detrimental effect on food chains for marine wildlife. And it’s not just marine wildlife that suffers at the hands of plastic waste, many animals such as hedgehogs regularly suffer after consuming or getting caught in discarded plastic.

An easy way to act for wildlife in 2023 would be to organise a local beach clean or litter pick. Any amount of litter that is removed from a natural ecosystem benefits wildlife – and people too! Head out by yourself, with a friend or work party and get litter picking at a nearby beach or greenspace. Remember to wear gloves to protect your hands and if you're not sure what it is, don't pick it up.

Read our guide for more tips on conducting a litter pick or beach clean.

Although many people are making the effort to recycle their plastic, sadly only an estimated 9% of plastics manufactured have ever been recycled. So it's important that we limit the amount of plastic waste by reducing our use of plastic. Here are some tips for reducing your everyday use of plastic at home:

• Swap your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo toothbrush
• Buy unpackaged bars of soap instead of plastic bottles of shower gel
• Avoid using cling film or plastic bags to store food. Instead use reusable boxes
• Pack a reusable coffee cup or a reusable water bottle when on the move to avoid using single use cups and bottles

Read our guide to using less plastic for more tips and ideas to help reduce your use of plastic at home.

People volunteer at Dorset Wildlife Trust for different reasons: to meet people, to learn new skills or to keep active. But one overarching reason is to contribute towards the conservation of wildlife and wild places in Dorset. Whether you fancy joining a work party, or helping out in a visitor centre, find out more about our volunteering opportunities here.

When you compost your garden and kitchen waste, you’re not only reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill, but also providing a habitat and food source for a variety of species such as worms, hedgehogs, and slow worms. And all you need for a successful compost heap in your garden or green space is waste, air and water.

Start by finding a shady spot to place your compost bin to keep the contents of your compost heap moist. If you don’t have a sufficient container, try covering your heap with old carpet or tarpaulin. Once you have found the perfect spot, you can start to build your compost heap. You can include grass cuttings, fruit and vegetable peel, plain cardboard, eggshells and more to your heap. Avoid composting cooked food, coal, cat litter and dog or human poo.

Read our full guide for all the ‘dos and don’ts’ of creating a compost heap for your waste.

The removal of peat used in garden compost has had a devastating impact on peatlands in both the UK and overseas. More than 94% of the UK’s lowland peat bogs have been damaged, which has accelerated climate change due to the release of carbon stored in the peat, as well as displacing wildlife which relied on the habitat.

But we have some tips to help you go peat-free at home and in your garden:

• Check what you're buying – specifically labelled peat-free compost is available, but you may need to shop around for it. And don’t forget to check the potted plants and soil ‘plugs’ as these can also contain peat.
• Be vocal – the more that peat-free alternatives are requested in shops, the more likely it will be stocked. You can also sign our peat-free pledge.
• Use peat-free alternatives such as bark chippings, wood fibre or your own homemade compost.
• Look for retailers committed to phasing out peat sales.

Read our full guide to going peat-free at home for more information

Owning and caring for a pet can be an extremely rewarding experience, but did you know that your pets could be having a negative impact on the environment. Here's our top tips on being an eco-friendly pet owner.

• Please follow local guidance or on-site signage when walking your dog to ensure that your pet isn’t disturbing wildlife or grazing animals maintaining the reserve.
• Don't allow your dog into lakes, rivers, and ponds if they have recently been treated for fleas. The treatment acts as a pesticide and when leaked into the water, can harm aquatic wildlife like dragonfly and mayfly larvae.
• Attach a bell to your cat’s collar to help alert wildlife.
• Try shopping for pet food made from by-products of the meat industry like bonemeal and organ meat, or with high plant-based content.
• Look for pet toys made from sustainable or recycled materials
• Bag and take home all dog poo because it leads to extra nutrients in the soil, encouraging nettles and thistles which outcompete wildflowers. Each poo can take months to decompose, as well as being dangerous for livestock and children.

Read our guide to becoming an eco-friendly pet owner for more tips, and check out our guidance on walking dogs on nature reserves.

Imagine leaving a gift that truly lasts for generations and contributes to a wilder future for people and wildlife in Dorset.

More and more of our supporters are making the generous decision to leave a gift in their Will to Dorset Wildlife Trust, which enables us to continue our work protecting and conserving nature reserves and species under threat. Leaving a gift in your Will is a simple act for nature which can make a huge difference. Find out how you can leave a gift in your Will here. 

Check out the courses and workshops designed to educate and connect you with the natural world run by the team at Kingcombe Visitor Centre. There's something for everyone including a beaver workshop, bird identification, spoon carving and an introduction to scything. Browse our courses and workshops by heading to our Events page and filter the category to ‘Courses & Education’. Or simply check out some of our wildlife-themed events held across our nature reserves in Dorset.

As you may be aware, wildlife is under threat from the Government's proposed Retained EU Law Bill. This new Bill could see the end of basic protections, leading to the loss of designated wildlife sites and the relaxation of laws around habitat protection, pollution, and pesticide use, all detrimental to wildlife. Find out what actions you can take to help us defend nature here.

By signing up to become a member of Dorset Wildlife Trust, Dorset’s largest nature conservation charity, you will be helping the wonderful wildlife that lives on over 40 nature reserves whilst supporting our critical educational and conservation work with communities, farmers, landowners, and local authorities.

What’s more – when you sign up in January 2023, you’ll become a member of Dorset Wildlife Trust for half the price! We recognise that 2022 was a tough year financially for many with the cost-of-living crisis, which is why we're reducing our individual, joint and family memberships to half price for a whole year, starting from just £2 a month.

As part of your half price membership, you'll receive a 60-page nature reserves guide, regular email updates, and three Dorset Wildlife magazines by post or online, updating you on the work you're supporting.

Make 2023 the year you make a difference for wildlife in Dorset and become a member now.