From the hazel dormouse to the marsh fritillary butterfly, Dorset’s wildlife faces increasing threats from habitat loss, climate change, and human activity. Dorset Wildlife Trust manages 42 nature reserves spanning 1,950 hectares which are home to thousands of species and vital for maintaining biodiversity. The new fund will enable Dorset Wildlife Trust to safeguard these habitats helping wildlife to thrive whilst restoring degraded landscapes and making more space for nature.
Currently it costs Dorset Wildlife Trust £2,277 each day to maintain and manage their reserves. This is over £800,000 every year. And the hard, ongoing work required to protect them is becoming more challenging in the face of rising costs. The Nature Reserves Fund, which will run for as long as nature needs it, reflects the fact that work on nature reserves is continuous. Every season, come rain or shine, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s staff and volunteers venture out to get the job done.