Help save Dorset's threatened wildlife

Dorset’s vulnerable wildlife is facing serious threats from lack of funding, according to Dorset Wildlife Trust. The harsh economic climate, combined with government cuts, means that less funding will be available for wildlife protection in the county. Now Dorset’s leading nature conservation charity has launched an urgent appeal for vital conservation work to help water voles, seahorses and the severely declining marsh fritillary butterfly as well as to continue work to rescue the county’s disappearing ponds.

What wildlife is under threat?

• The water vole is Britain’s fastest declining mammal. On the River Allen and Moors River in east Dorset there are still populations of this endearing mammal and DWT plans conservation work to ensure their survival and to help other important species, such as kingfishers, brown trout and our native crayfish.

• The seagrass meadows in Studland Bay are unique as breeding sites of both spiny and short-snouted seahorses. Work is needed to protect this habitat and to raise awareness with boat owners and the general public to prevent it from being damaged.

• Grassland restoration to link up and expand the isolated populations of marsh fritillary butterflies surviving on Powerstock Common and Kingcombe Meadows nature reserves in west Dorset is urgently needed to prevent further decline.

• Work to halt the rapid decline in wildlife-rich ponds has already begun in Purbeck but funding is due to end in December, with many ponds still needing restoration, while in north Dorset the globally threatened great-crested newt is in danger if urgent action is not taken to restore the many ponds that have been lost.

How can I help Dorset's most threatened wildlife?

Alastair Cook, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “We are very concerned about these particularly vulnerable wildlife projects, which could make a vital difference to the survival of some populations of native British wildlife. We can promise that your donation will only go to the particular project you have chosen and that all of it will be spent on active nature conservation.”

You can donate to the appeal at www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/appeal2010, choosing to support one of the four appeals: Seahorses; Marsh Fritillary Butterflies; Dorset’s disappearing ponds; Water Voles.

-ENDS-

Photos:
1. Water vole. Please credit STEWART CANHAM.
2. Marsh fritillary butterfly. Please credit KEN DOLBEAR.

Notes to Editor

For more information please contact Alastair Cook at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.
For our latest news RSS feed, see /c2/rss/dwt_latest_news.xml

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.