Our reserves are open-air nature spaces and we are committed to providing a safe environment for everyone to exercise and enjoy connecting to nature in order to safeguard their mental and physical health - particularly in winter months when this becomes an even greater challenge. 

All of our reserves therefore will remain open.  However, there will be some changes from Thursday and a few reminders:

• Visitors to our reserves should follow the latest advice from the Government. Please only visit our reserves with people you live with, with those in your support bubble, on your own or with one other person from a separate household.
• Please wash your hands before and after your visit and use hand sanitiser after you have touched gates. 
• Please take any litter home, abide by dog-walking best practice, close gates behind you, and stick to paths where possible. 
• It is regrettable but we will be closing all bird hides during this period. It is not possible to social distance in these areas and we would ask people to respect this decision and stay away so as to keep other members of the public safe.  
• We take the previously held view that local travel for exercise is most appropriate for keeping the transmission of the Covid-19 virus to a minimum.  In order to keep staff and other members of local communities safe, please do not visit our reserves if you are from out of the county. They will still be there when things return to normal again. 
• We will be temporarily cancelling all of our group volunteering activities. 
• We are also yet again sadly halting our face to face recruitment activity, which had happily started to return to our communities.
• Our physical events had mostly been cancelled until the end of the year, however, we confirm that this remains the case.  We are running some virtual events via Zoom, so please keep an eye on our website and social channels for details.
• As many of you will already be aware, Ash dieback on our Mendip reserves is a huge issue. We strongly ask that you do not visit Harridge Wood, Black Rock, Edford Wood and Rose Wood. The disease is widespread so in all places be vigilant - observe and adhere to any on site instructions and keep to paths.  

All of our staff that can are still working from home, and our reserves staff are continuing their work on reserves. If you have any queries, these will be addressed as soon as we are able.

Nature is our faithful constant. As the leaves fall from the trees, the evenings get darker, and we head towards our coldest season, do make the most of the daylight hours to wrap up and get outside.

Time spent in nature is so beneficial for our mental health and now, more than ever we need to look after ourselves.  And our wildlife still needs you too - feed the birds, top up water and provide welcoming untidy corners for hedgehogs and insects. They'll be so grateful!

There are lots of ways to stay connected to wildlife from the warm indoors too - check out SWTtv here, or explore our Activity Zone here for ideas for ways you and your family can get your nature fix at home. 

Thank you for your continued support and understanding and stay safe.