The purchase was made possible through funding from Natural England’s Nutrient Mitigation scheme alongside significant funding from Dorset Wildlife Trust members and supporters. Representatives from a range of organisations attended the event including Natural England, Defra, Dorset LNP (Local Nature Partnership) and BCP Council.  Dr George McGavin, President of Dorset Wildlife Trust welcomed everyone to the event and guests heard speeches from Brian Bleese, Rachel Williams, Tony Juniper, Marian Spain, Vikki Slade, and Craig Bennett who all shared their perspectives on the Lyscombe acquisition, and what it will mean for Dorset’s wildlife and people.  

Brian Bleese praised the partners and donors who had made the purchase possible, and explained the vision for the site, which will now be managed for nature’s benefit and opened to the public. Rachel Williams, Tony Juniper, and Marian Spain (Natural England) explained the origins of the Nutrient Neutrality Scheme which partly funded the purchase of Lyscombe. They also spoke about the role of partnerships and Dorset Wildlife Trust in the project's success. They were pleased to be enabling sustainable housing developments while addressing problems caused by nitrates, such as algal blooms on Poole Harbour. Councillor Vikki Slade spoke about how important environmental issues are to Dorset’s people and politicians alike, and the pressing need for nature’s recovery. And finally, Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, brought a national perspective on how Lyscombe and Dorset fit into plans to ensure 30% of land and sea is managed for nature by 2030

Following the speeches, groups headed off on guided walks to explore the site’s landscape and landmarks. These included the Little Piddle, a tributary of the River Piddle, and some of the site’s Scheduled Monuments.