Wild Places

Habitat loss is the driving force behind most species’ decline. We also focus on preserving and restoring some of the traditional British habitats that are so important to our native wildlife.

Traditional orchards  – Unfortunately we are seeing an alarming rate of loss of this amazing habitat, which provides a vital home for many species, including noble chafers and stag beetles. We’re surveying the nation’s orchards, and have created a virtual advice centre for orchard owners to keep their orchards in tip top condition for wildlife. If you have an orchard, take a look at our how to guides and videos to help you manage your orchard for wildlife.

Briddlesford Woods is our nature reserve on the Isle of Wight and a haven for red squirrels, hazel dormice, bats and rare flowers. We’ve been protecting and transforming this ancient woodland for over two decades. It’s one of the few places in the UK where endangered dormice and red squirrels can both be found. Two species of rare bat, barbastelles and Bechstein’s, also breed there.

Wood pasture is characterised by big old trees growing in open pasture land. They contain some of our oldest trees and may be derived from Royal forests, old wooded commons and medieval deer parks and provide a direct link with bygone landscapes and are home to many rare and threatened species. We’re running a survey that will raise the profile of this habitat, helping ensure its survival for future generations.