The railway stations at Poole and Hamworthy together with the Castleman Trailway form the gateway to Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Upton Heath nature reserve and onto Happy Bottom and Lytchett Bay.  

Dorset Wildlife Trust's Wilder Communities Officer, Anona Dawson said,
“SWR already supports and encourages rewilding projects within their own stations and embankments. This funding will help increase their reach and ours by working within communities to improve the green spaces where they live for the benefit of nature and people in an era of devastating climate and ecological emergency.   

Through this project we intend to connect people with nature, listen to local needs, provide advice and training and contribute to the costs of getting started in undertaking nature enhancements. Working together as a community, we can all take part in nature’s recovery and make space for nature.”  

The funding comes as part of SWR's Customers and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF) which has invested more than £7.5 million in local community projects since 2018. 

Georgia House, SWR’s Sustainability Manager said, 
“At SWR, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to becoming biodiversity net positive by 2030 and encouraging a greener future for the south west. The landscapes around our stations are vital habitats for nature and biodiversity, so we are delighted to support Dorset Wildlife Trust’s project and the local communities who work hard to protect and enhance their local green spaces.”