The Wildlife Trust protects wildlife near where you live
‘Managing’ a reserve can mean anything from hands-on practical work such as clearing scrub or haymaking, to making long term plans to restore or create new habitat for threatened species, as well as providing access and events for visitors.
We look after 125 nature reserves across three counties. A vast array of wildlife finds and thrives in these vital refuges because we take care to provide the right conditions.
Each reserve has a unique character.There are meadows, fens, ancient woods, river margins, lakes and old gravel pits and much more.
You can visit a reserve near you, or discover one that will show you something new. They are all free for you to enjoy. You can help us continue to care for them as a volunteer or as a member of the Trust.
We rely on volunteers to help with a lot of the vital management work needed – there is no way we could achieve success for local wildlife without the massive contribution that volunteers make.
If you're interested in giving some time to help wildlife find out more on our volunteering pages.
You can also help our nature reserves to survive and grow if you join us as a member or make a donation to our work.
Reserves facts and figures
•We manage 125 nature reserves - and 95% of our population lives within five miles of one of them
•There are many events, activities and family days – check our events pages for more information
•All of our reserves are free to visit
•Our reserves cover 3,336 hectares of land, plus another 1,500 hectares in the Great Fen
The Countryside Code
Please remember a few basics when visiting any of our reserves.
• Be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs
• Leave gates and property as you find them
• Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
• Keep dogs* under close control
• Consider other people
*A note about Dogs
Because dogs cause distress to both wildlife and livestock, they must be kept on a short lead and under close control at all times. On some of the more sensitive sites, or where we are leaseholders and the landlord requires it, dogs are not allowed (except guide dogs). Please clean up after your dog.