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Somerset Wildlife Trust Launches Critical Appeal to Help Raise Funds Needed to Care for its Nature Reserves

The annual Nature Reserves Fund from Somerset Wildlife Trust launches to help the charity raise vital funds needed to care for and maintain its nature reserves, some of the most precious sites for wildlife in Somerset.

Somerset Wildlife Trust is asking for support as it launches its annual Nature Reserves Fund appeal. First launched in 2016, this Fund enables the Trust to care for and maintain its nature reserves, which are some of Somerset’s most important sites for wildlife. The Fund has raised over 160,000 since it was first established, 100% of which has been put towards the care and protection of the reserves.

The charity looks after a total of 68 nature reserves spread across Somerset, which include areas of ancient woodland, flower-rich meadows, and precious wetland. These are habitats which have become increasingly rare in the wider countryside, filled with vulnerable species, including the once-extinct large blue butterfly and rare species such as the dormouse, bechstein’s bat, and great crested newt. The reserves are exceptionally important in their own right, but they also play a vital role in Somerset’s Nature Recovery Network, acting as core, nature-rich sites from which wildlife can spread into the wider landscape.

catcott nature reserve

Wigeon and a few Pintail, Catcott Lows - Nick Upton/2020VISION

Thurlbear Wood leafy path Matt Sweeting

Thurlbear Wood - Matt Sweeting

Westhay

Westhay - Sam Glasspole

Black Rock nature reserve

Black Rock - Jeff Bevan

Unfortunately, the cost of looking after these nature reserves rises every year. The Trust estimates that it is currently costing £2,600 a day to maintain them — and this is even with the help of many committed and skilled volunteers working on site. Included in this cost is the maintenance and improvement of wildlife habitats, fence repairs required for conservation grazing, dealing with the impacts of diseases like ash dieback, and all the work that is required to ensure visitors are kept safe and able to enjoy the fantastic wildlife on the reserves.

This means that raising funds is more important than ever. Since the Nature Reserves Fund was established in 2016, agri-environment funding has decreased by almost 25%, and while the Trust received £470k in grants last year, it needed to spend £866k on their management and preservation — leaving a gap of £396k. This year, with the costs of equipment, fuel, and materials increasing at the fastest rate in 40 years, the charity is depending on the Fund to help fill the gap in its funding and ensure that it will be able to continue looking after these very special sites that so many species rely on.

“The Nature Reserves Fund appeal raises vital funds needed to care for and maintain our county’s beautiful nature reserves, some of the most precious sites for wildlife in Somerset.

We know that things are difficult for people financially at the moment, but we ask that people give what they can to ensure we can all continue to connect to and value these special places long into the future.

Every donation made to the Nature Reserves Fund makes a crucial difference to our ability to maintain these special sites, which are not only beautiful places but most importantly safeguard a significant range of rare plants and animals.”
Rachael Fickweiler, Head of Nature Reserves
Somerset Wildlife Trust

How to Donate

Any gift you can give to the Somerset Nature Reserves Fund will always go straight to our nature reserves. Donate by clicking on the button below or by telephoning Zoe on 01823 652429.

DONATE NOW

 

Editor's Notes

Contacts

For interviews and further information, please contact:

Kirby Everett: 01823 652413 / kirby.everett@somersetwildlife.org
Emily Weatherburn: 01823652400 / emily.weatherburn@somersetwildlife.org

You can find out more about Somerset Wildlife Trust on our website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Images

Please email emily.weatherburn@somersetwildlife.org for pictures to use alongside this press release.

Any images are granted on a one-time use basis, in association with this release, and the photographer must be credited.

Somerset Wildlife Trust

Somerset Wildlife Trust is a nature conservation charity. Its purpose is to restore and protect the populations of species across the county and the habitats they call home. Climate change is one of the greatest threats to nature, natural habitats and the ecosystems that support our life on earth.  Our aims are to help address both the ecological and climate crises and put nature back into people’s lives.

Nature reserves and protected sites on their own are not enough. In order to reverse the decline in species’ diversity and abundance, and create resilient landscapes and habitats for wildlife and for people that can adapt to climate change, we need to: 

  • encourage and support landowners to manage their land positively for nature; create more space for nature;
  • connect wildlife-rich spaces across the wider landscape to create a robust Nature Recovery Network for Somerset; and
  • create a movement of people – at least 1 in 4 – that take action for nature’s recovery across Somerset as part of Team Wilder. 

This is at the core of our new 10-year strategy. Nationally the Wildlife Trusts are calling for at least 30% of land to be managed positively for nature by 2030. What we do in Somerset must contribute to that national ambition. You can read our full 10 year strategy, Wilder Somerset here.

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