Since 1912 The Wildlife Trusts have been speaking out for nature in the UK. Our organisation is unique – most of our work for wildlife takes place at local grassroots level but we have a UK voice.
Believing that wildlife is essential to a healthy environment for human beings, we work with people from all walks of life – industry, government, landowners, communities and families – to make sure nature gets a chance. The Wildlife Trusts campaign for better protection of our precious wildlife and habitats; raising awareness of wildlife threats with the public and government is central to our role.
Through monitoring and data collection we can demonstrate an accurate picture of habitats and species that need our protection and we've developed a reputation for our objectivity and knowledge.
The specialist skills and enthusiasm of our volunteers along with the vast experience of our conservationists enables The Wildlife Trusts to manage hundreds of projects, campaigns and organise thousands of activities. Over the years our work has made a lasting difference to UK wildlife, including the Otters and Rivers Project, the water quality project Riverwatch and the dormouse re-introduction programme.
Heathland Landscape Restoration
Following the Trust's purchase of arable land at Blackstone Farm in 2007 we commissioned work to guide our restoration of the site to heathland (adjacent to our existing heathland nature reserve, the Devil's Spittleful, in the north of the county near Bewdley). For more details read the Executive Summary of the report. We are grateful to Sita Trust for providing the funding to carry out this feasibility study and management plan.
For more information on this project please contact Reserves Team Leader Helen Woodman helen@worcestershirewildlifetrust.org
Landscape Vision
Worcestershire Wildlife Trust is working towards ‘Landscapes for Living’ - the ambitious 50-year vision of the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership. Created with organisations across the West Midlands, it shows how fundamental an environment rich in wildlife is to the wellbeing of the whole population. A high quality natural environment supports the economy by attracting employers, visitors and inward investment. It improves our quality of life - providing space to relax and exercise, natural cooling, water storage to help prevent flooding and a greener, living landscape.
However, climate change poses new threats with rising temperatures and changing weather patterns. Some species will be unable to adapt unless we expand areas of good quality habitat and remove barriers preventing movement by creating a network of wildlife areas across the region.
A prospectus ‘Landscapes for Living’ provides a long-term framework for action on rebuilding biodiversity across the differing landscapes of the West Midlands. In it, a regional biodiversity map shows our current most precious biodiversity areas which we will need to expand and link in a landscape scale approach to benefit both people and wildlife.
In south Worcestershire for example, The Severn and Avon Vales Wetland Partnership works with the Wildlife Trust, farmers and landowners to recreate wetlands and re-establish thousands of hectares of sensitively managed farmland within the river valleys. This project secures income for farmers, enhances populations of rare and declining bird species and increases opportunities to enjoy a more natural environment.