Group of adults learning about plants - Paul Harris
Private & Community Nature Reserves Network
About the PCNR Network
Somerset’s Private & Community Nature Reserves (PCNR) Network was set up in the 1990s to support people who own or manage land primarily for nature. After a pause since the pandemic, the PCNR Network is relaunching in 2024. The relaunch is funded and supported by the FiPL fund and Quantock Hills and Mendip Hills National Landscapes.
This user-led network provides peer-to-peer support for landowners, smallholders and community groups (such as local woodland trusts and community orchards). Collectively, we manage land throughout Somerset that supports meadows, hedgerows, orchards, and woodlands, ponds, streams and lakes, many of which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites. What we have in common is that our priority is nature conservation.
The PCNR Network is hosted and supported by Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT), who recognise our important contribution to nature conservation and recovery in Somerset. The network is currently free to join, although membership of Somerset Wildlife Trust is encouraged.
What the PCNR Network offers:
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A Somerset Wildlife Trust staff point of contact for PCNR Network members
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Facilitation of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and support
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A programme of member-led site visit events
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Two dedicated training events a year, organised and led by Somerset Wildlife Trust staff
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A quarterly newsletter of members’ updates
Please be aware the PCNR Network does not offer:
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Free or subsidised professional site visits, surveys or management plans for private landowners
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Insurance, legal advice or financial services
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Funding or grants
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Practical land management services (although network members may choose to support each other with task days on PCNR Network reserves)
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Land purchase or adoption of land left in legacy
Brown hare by Chris Gomersall/2020VISION
Land Management Advice
Find out more
Backlit reedbed in early morning light with housing in the background, The National Forest, UK - Ben Hall/2020VISION
Wilder Resources
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People enjoying wildlife garden - Paul Harris/2020VISION
Wilder Communities
Get involvedThe PCNR provides a fantastic opportunity to share experiences and learn from like-minded individualsPCNR member
How to Join the PCNR Network
The PCNR Network is aimed primarily at providing peer-to-peer support to private owners and community groups who manage (usually) smaller areas of land for the benefit of nature in Somerset. The network is currently free to join.
New PCNR Network members are asked to fill in a survey and comprehensive form detailing their site. Follow the button below to get started:
Alternatively, you are welcome to get in touch by emailing teamwilder@somersetwildlife.org. A paper application form can be supplied on request.
If you are seeking surveys, land management advice or management planning support, please complete our land advice webform instead.
Group visiting Chancellor's Farm - Matt Sweeting
Marbled White (Melanagria galathea) resting on Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), Badbury Rings, Wimborne, Dorset, England, UK - Photo: Guy Edwardes/2020VISION
FAQ:
I'm a nature-friendly farmer. Should I join the PCNR Network?
If you manage land for agriculture or food production, we recommend getting in touch with Somerset Wildlife Trust's land advice team, who will be able to advise you on the most appropriate support for you. For example, we also support a farm cluster group in the Mendip Hills.
We are a community group that know of an area that we want to look after, but we don’t own the land. Should we join the PCNR Network?
If you are a community group looking to acquire or manage an area of land that you do not own, please get in touch with Somerset Wildlife Trust by emailing teamwilder@somersetwildlife.org, and we will support you with the next steps.
We’re a community group/school/church who manage an area of land for nature. Should we join the PCNR Network?
The PCNR network is aimed primarily at providing peer-to-peer support to private owners and community groups who manage areas of land primarily for the benefit of nature in Somerset. You are very welcome to join if you are part of a community/school/church/allotment, although do take a look at these SWT initiatives as well:
I manage a business park or commercial site that I would like to improve for wildlife. Should I join the PCNR Network for advice?
The PCNR Network provides peer-to-peer support for private and community land managers, but is not an advisory service.
If you are a corporate or business owner of land, please see our corporate supporter pages. If you are looking for guidance on how to get started with increasing the value of your site for wildlife we ask you to initially complete our land advice webform here.
Will you visit my site? Do you offer site surveys?
Neither the PCNR Network or Somerset Wildlife Trust offer free or subsidised professional site visits, surveys, or management plans for private landowners. If you are seeking surveys, land management advice, or management planning support from Somerset Wildlife Trust, then this is generally a charged service (with some exceptions, for example for community groups) - please complete our land advice webform.
Alternatively, you can access resources to help you complete your own management plan here.
Does the PCNR provide a practical land management service?
The PCNR Network is not a land management service, although from time to time members may choose to support each other with practical tasks.
I am concerned about what will happen to my nature reserve when I die. Can I leave it to the PCNR Network or Somerset Wildlife Trust?
The PCNR Network is a group of private and community landowners. You are welcome to use the network newsletter to advertise land that you would like to pass on.
Somerset Wildlife Trust are seeing an increase in the number of offers of land donations, requests to purchase land and also requests to manage a variety of small sites and reserves. Whilst we appreciate such offers and want to support the long term future of valuable sites for nature, we also recognise that owning and safeguarding land is a long term and costly responsibility. With limited and finite resources at our disposal, we have to make informed choices about the activity we undertake so as to deliver the biggest impact for nature’s recovery in our county. These choices are based around the following principles:
- Any new land acquisition must make a meaningful and direct contribution towards Somerset’s Nature Recovery Network.
- We focus on key areas where we believe we can have the most positive impact for nature. Even within our priority landscapes, acquisitions are very carefully considered - any new land must provide good opportunities for nature’s recovery and allow natural processes to take place.
- Our existing nature reserves are an important element of the Nature Recovery Network. We look to acquire land that will expand, buffer, protect or link these places, rather than smaller, more isolated pockets of land situated far from them.
It is highly unlikely that we will purchase or take on the management of sites that do not meet these strategic objectives.