Thinking big in our 50th anniversary year
by Peter Hutchings, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
In
2011, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust celebrates its 50th anniversary.
For half a century the Trust has been devoted to protecting habitats and
wildlife throughout the two counties. No other organisation, local or national,
does more to protect the wildlife and wild places of Hampshire and the Island.
Yet wildlife is still under threat, perhaps more so than at any time in our history. If local wildlife is to survive and flourish for the next 50 years and beyond, we must be even more ambitious.
To meet these challenges, we have developed our vision of ‘living landscapes’. Living landscapes are about the bigger picture. They’re about seeing our nature reserves as the beating heart of the wider landscape in which they lie. They’re about working with land-owners and communities to help wildlife thrive across the entire landscape.
Right now, we have a dream opportunity to restore four local wildlife treasures. Each could become a wonderful haven for nature, cherished by the local community and sought out by nature-lovers from our two counties and beyond. But these local treasures are in urgent need of tender loving care. At the Wildlife Trust, we are launching ambitious projects to transform these four treasures, creating bigger, better, joined-up nature for everyone.
Bigger… In the Eversley Heathlands, near Fleet and Yateley, we plan to bring neglected heathlands back to life, so that birds such as woodlark and Dartford warbler can thrive.
Better… At Alverstone Marshes, near Sandown, we hope to restore an area of meadow and river habitats, giving a much-needed boost to water voles, kingfishers and dragonflies.
Joined-up… In the Lymington Valley and Coast, we want to create an unbroken chain of wildlife-rich habitats stretching all the way from the open New Forest to the sea.
Nature for everyone... Just outside Winchester, we aim to restore the condition of historic water meadows, making a new home for wading birds and wildflowers.
Each of our four new projects has its origins in the vision of living landscapes – thinking big to protect the wildlife and wild places all around us.
To restore these local wildlife treasures we need to raise half a million pounds. We are approaching grant-giving bodies and partner organisations to make a contribution. But your help is vital too and by making a donation you can help us create living landscapes all around you. Every gift counts – big or small – and don’t forget that Gift Aid makes your donation go even further.
Thank you for your support.
Full details of the Living Landscapes Appeal can be found on
www.hwt.org.uk