Wildlife Matters

In March 2024, Dorset Wildlife Trust acquired 827 acres of land at Lyscombe, north-east of Dorchester. It's the biggest land acquisition in Dorset Wildlife Trust's history and represents an incredible opportunity to make space for nature. So  In this podcast, Steve Jones, Wilder Landscapes Officer and Lyscombe ranger, Ben Atkinson discuss why Dorset Wildlife Trust acquired this site, how it will make more space for nature and what happens next.

It's three years since Dorset Wildlife Trust acquired the 420-acre site at Wild Woodbury, just outside Bere Regis in Dorset. In that time, the incredible Wild Woodbury community rewilding project has seen a remarkable uplift in biodiversity and a transformation of the landscape. Find out about what's been happening on the site and what has been achieved so far. 

Meet the Dorset Wildlife Trust rangers who manage the northern part of Brownsea island for wildlife in partnership with the National Trust and engage with visitors. For its size, Brownsea is one of the most biodiverse sites in England with a species list of 4,900 in total and over 300 bird species recorded. Find out about the birds which make Brownsea Lagoon their home, how Dorset Wildlife Trust manages the area to help wildlife thrive, and what makes the island such a special place for wildlife and people.

Join Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve Managers, Luke and Neil, as they discuss why nature reserves are important and how they provide a sanctuary for wildlife. Find out about the conservation work carried out by our dedicated staff and volunteers to maintain and enhance the habitat to enable so many species to thrive. 
 
Dorset’s wildlife depends on our nature reserves. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please donate to the Nature Reserves Fund - your donation will directly enhance and expand habitats for Dorset's most vulnerable wildlife species. 

The Urban Green project aimed to empower local people to improve their green spaces for the benefit of people and wildlife. Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Communities Officer, Anona Dawson talks to Tessa Nesbit, the rector of St Peter’s Church in Hamworthy to share the story of the transformation of the Bluebell Community Woodland at St Michael’s Church, Hamworthy. Their conversation gives an insight into the project’s incredible impact on this beautiful woodland, its wildlife and the community of neighbours, volunteers and parishioners.
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE URBAN GREEN PROJECT
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/connecting-people-with-nature/urban-green
 
BECOME A MEMBER
Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member
 
STAY CONNECTED
Join our mailing list
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup
 
FIND US
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/
 
Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife
 
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/
 
Watch our videos on You Tube
https://www.youtube.com/user/DorsetWildlifeTrust 
 
GIVE A WILDLIFE GIFT
Shop for membership gifts and adoptions
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop
 
With Thanks to Anona Dawson, Tessa Nesbit 
Production: Dani Wilson

What is the power of peat?
Peatland is such an important and amazing habitat - it can store carbon, help to tackle climate change, reduce flooding and provides the right conditions for a variety of wildlife. Join Tilly Hudsmith, master's student at Exeter University in conversation with Grace Herve, project manager for the Dorset Peat Partnership about the environmental impact and significance of this collaborative peat project happening right here in Dorset.
 
SUPPORT THE DORSET PEAT PARTNERSHIP
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/conservation-work-land/dorset-peat-partnership 
 
BECOME A MEMBER
Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member
 
STAY CONNECTED
Join our mailing list
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup
 
FIND US
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/
 
Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife
 
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/
 
Watch our videos on You Tube
https://www.youtube.com/user/DorsetWildlifeTrust 
 
GIVE A WILDLIFE GIFT
Shop for membership gifts and adoptions
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop
 
With Thanks to Grace Herve, Tilly Hudsmith 
Production: Dani Wilson

Allowing nature to take the lead is the ethos underpinning the rewilding project at Wild Woodbury. Reversing the system of deep ditches built to drain the land was a key part of the vision to rewet the land to create habitat for wildlife and to slow the flow to reduce flood risk - find out how and why Dorset Wildlife Trust has renaturalised the headwaters of the River Sherford across the land and the difference it has made for wildlife and people.
 
SUPPORT WILD WOODBURY
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/conservation-work-land/wild-woodbury
 
BECOME A MEMBER
Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member
 
STAY CONNECTED
Join our mailing list
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup
 
FIND US
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/
 
Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife
 
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/
 
Watch our videos on You Tube
https://www.youtube.com/user/DorsetWildlifeTrust
 
GIVE A WILDLIFE GIFT
Shop for membership gifts and adoptions
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop
 
 
With Thanks to Rob Farrington, Seb Haggett
Production: Dani Wilson

Meet our President, Dr George McGavin
An engaging and entertaining conversation between Dorset Wildlife Trust’s President, Dr George McGavin and Assistant Warden, James Cartwright. The two of them talk career paths, the importance of slowing down on a walk, a day in the life of a reserve warden, the role of nature reserves, and exchange views on verge cutting, seed banks, forest bathing and the perennial question of the importance of ivy and its effect on trees.
With Thanks Dr George McGavin and James Cartwright
Producer: Dani Wilson
 
Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member
 
STAY CONNECTED
Join our mailing list
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup
 
FIND US
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/
 
Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife
 
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/
 
Watch our videos on You Tube
https://www.youtube.com/user/DorsetWildlifeTrust

In this episode we join Marine Awareness Officer, Julie Hatcher and award-winning videographer Doug Anderson as they chat about his remarkable career as one of the world’s top underwater cameramen. Doug shares some of the highs and lows of his fascinating career which spans more than 20 years as well as sharing his views on the damage he has witnessed to our seabeds and marine wildlife. You can read more about Doug’s extensive portfolio of work and awards here: https://www.doug-anderson.com/ 
 
Dorset Wildlife Trust have launched an urgent appeal for you to support  
If we don’t act now, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050. 
Can you imagine a sea so full of plastic that every fish and every seabird has plastic in its stomach? A world where there is more plastic in the sea than fish?  
If we don't act now, this could become reality for Dorset's coast and marine wildlife.  
Donate to our urgent appeal and you will be supporting work to stop plastic destroying our seas and the wonderful wildlife living there. Your donation could provide equipment to help remove deadly litter from our coast, or fund essential camera equipment to monitor the effects of pollution on seals and more wildlife.  
Your donation will help our seas survive, and our marine wildlife thrive.  
 
SAVE OUR WILD SEAS 
Click here to make your donation: 
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/appeals/save-our-wild-seas 
 
THANK YOU! 
 
With Thanks to Julie Hatcher, Doug Anderson and Hazel Ormrod 
Producer: Dani Wilson 
 
Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset 
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member 
 
STAY CONNECTED 
Join our mailing list 
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup 
 
FIND US  
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/ 
 
Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife 
 
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/ 
 
Watch our videos on YouTube 
https://www.youtube.com/user/DorsetWildlifeTrust 
 

Taking place on the first Sunday of May, International Dawn Chorus Day is the worldwide celebration of nature's greatest symphony. This year we want to bring the dulcet tones of Dorset's diverse birds to you. Sit back and immerse yourself in the rich and vibrant sounds of birdsong from the Dorset Beaver Project site and reconnect with nature.
SUPPORT US
Make a donation to Dorset Wildlife Trust
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/donate
Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member
 
STAY CONNECTED
Join our mailing list
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup
 
FIND US
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/
Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/
Watch our videos on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/user/DorsetWildlifeTrust 
 
GIVE A WILDLIFE GIFT
Shop for membership gifts and adoptions
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop
 
With Thanks to Stephen Oliver. 
Production: Jack Clarke