Wildlife Trust launches 50th Anniversary challenge

Half a century of protecting wildlife in Dorset

Dorset’s leading conservation organisation is marking its half century with a challenge to everyone who loves the county and its wild places.  Dorset Wildlife Trust’s £50 challenge calls on wildlife-lovers to each raise £50 during 2011 to ensure that the work of protecting the natural environment can continue into the next 50 years.

Conservationists say that the Dorset Wildlife Fund is needed to provide emergency and long term financial support for land purchase, development of educational facilities, nature reserve management and for nature-restoration projects.   Formed in 1961 as the Dorset Naturalists’ Trust, the conservation charity has saved some of the county’s most precious sites and grown to be a major voice for nature with local authorities, communities, businesses, government and partners as well as working with a national network of 47 Wildlife Trusts.

Fit at 50

Simon Cripps, Chief Executive of Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “We need to be fit at 50 to take this work forward in the face of challenges such as spending cuts, climate change and population pressures.  We must celebrate our success in the past, which are steps to make sure that we can continue to protect wildlife for the future.  We are asking everybody who cares for this county to raise just £50 for The Dorset Wildlife Fund during 2011; that’s £1 for every year that we have been looking after local nature."

Backed by Simon King (pictured last month on Brownsea Island)

Wildlife programme-maker and newly appointed President of The Wildlife Trusts, Simon King OBE, is lending his support as Patron of Dorset Wildlife Trust’s 50th Anniversary.  He said:  “The Wildlife Trusts’ vision for A Living Landscape and Living Seas embraces communities as a whole, for wildlife and people.  Local Wildlife Trusts work to include everyone who has an interest in our natural world.  The UK has some of the most magnificent, sensual and fulfilling natural phenomena in the world.  However prickly the gorse and forceful the blackbird’s song, it’s vulnerable.  I urge the people of Dorset to rise to the £50 Challenge and help protect the nature of this wonderful, extraordinarily diverse part of England.”

To join the challenge, click here or ring 01305 264620.

Notes to Editor

For more information please contact Simon Cripps at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.
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About Dorset Wildlife Trust  www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Dorset Wildlife Trust was founded in 1961 to protect the wildlife and natural habitats of the county and now has over 25,000 members and manages over 40 nature reserves.  Most are open daily and there are visitor centres providing a wealth of wildlife information at Brooklands Farm, Lorton Meadows, Kingcombe Meadows and Brownsea Island Nature Reserves, The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and the Urban Wildlife Centre at Upton Heath Nature Reserve.

The largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues.  It leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.

From very small beginnings 50 years ago Dorset Wildlife Trust has grown to become the largest nature conservation body in the county, and has made notable progress in safeguarding Dorset’s wildlife and wild places.  In March 1961 the Trust formed with just 306 founder members and it was another year before it leased its first nature reserve.  Today DWT is directly supported by 3.5% of the county’s population and manages 42 sites, mainly owned by DWT, representing over 1300 hectares of the most important wildlife havens.   2011 will be a year of celebrations and special events to mark this great milestone and to launch the next 50 years of working for Dorset’s wildlife and natural environment.  www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/jubilee