Dorset Wildlife Trust has launched an appeal to help wildlife at risk in the county. Conservation work is under threat in the current economic climate, according to Dorset’s largest nature conservation organisation, which is now calling for public help for woodlands, bumblebees and the birds of Brownsea Island’s lagoon.
Simon Cripps, Chief Executive of Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “As difficult economic times continue, it is getting much harder to fund vital nature conservation work and wildlife is now at risk. We urgently need to raise £42,000 in total for these three important wildlife projects. The funds will not only enable us to commence work but could also provide other match funding for grants, whereby donations can be multiplied to secure a much greater sum. People can choose which one to support and we promise that the money will be strictly spent on their chosen project.”
The woodland conservation programme is to restore and create small woods and one of the UK’s most threatened habitats, that of wet woods. Plans for this winter include planting 1500 native trees at Horselynch Plantation near Weymouth, restoring seven wet woods across Dorset and protecting neglected small woods in Purbeck.
Bumblebees are in serious decline and threatened by the loss of flowers from the landscape. DWT wants to continue its vital work to restore and manage flower-rich grasslands in west Dorset that could mean the difference between survival and extinction for some bumblebee species in the county.
Brownsea Island’s lagoon is a unique and fragile wildlife haven cared for by DWT on the National Trust owned island. Urgent improvement is needed to repair and maintain the bird nesting islands and the pumps and sluices that control the water level, allowing birds to rest, feed and nest on this internationally important site in Poole Harbour.
For more information or to donate to the appeal, visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/savewildlife or ring 01305 264620.
