With a potential £20,000 in match funding available to help more people from all backgrounds access nature on Brownsea Island, we challenged Dorset’s wildlife lovers to donate the £20,000 needed to unlock it – in just one week. And they accepted the challenge!

We’ve been blown away by the generosity of supporters giving to this appeal. This was the first time Dorset Wildlife Trust took part in the week-long Big Give Green Match Fund campaign. Thanks to hundreds of generous donors, the target was exceeded 24 hours before the appeal closed.

To ensure nature’s recovery, we all need to take action to preserve and champion our local wildlife. The funds raised from this appeal will support a Brownsea Island Engagement Officer who will demonstrate the wonder of nature to people of all backgrounds and abilities. The more people we can reach and inspire through access to the natural world around them, the more advocates for wildlife we will have standing beside us.

These funds will also enable our Engagement Officer to manage our brilliant Brownsea volunteers, providing them with essential equipment to maintain vital habitats for wildlife on the island.

To everyone who donated and supported the campaign, we’d like to say a big, big thank you. This is truly a fantastic result for Brownsea Island and Dorset’s wildlife – and it’s all thanks to you!

Find out more about the Wild Brownsea project.