Last cut in 50 year battle to restore island habitat - Brownsea Island Raffle

Dorset Wildlife Trust is giving one lucky person the chance to cut down the last Rhododendron plant on the Brownsea Island nature reserve after 50 years of battling against this alien invasive species. The large, purple flowering shrub, introduced in the 19th century, soon took over the island’s woods, threatening British wildlife such as the red squirrel. 

Abby Gibbs, Dorset Wildlife Trust Warden on Brownsea Island, said: “This is a momentous occasion and a real privilege for the lucky winner. We have been fighting this plant for many years, as it is a huge threat to the island wildlife. Rhododendron does very well in the UK and spreads quickly across forest floors. This shrub grows so quickly that it suffocates all of our wildflowers and trees that many native species depend on, such as butterflies and birds. We are very pleased that after so long, this autumn we will finally be getting rid of the last one.”

Dorset Wildlife Trust manages around half of the National Trust owned island and has been working with volunteer groups for over 50 years to cut down and burn Rhododendron ponticum, allowing valuable sunlight and space on to the forest floor. This allows wildlife to reclaim the new space, and staff make sure that native wildlife gets the best possible chance of re-establishing in the area.

This prize is being raffled as part of Dorset Wildlife Trust’s 50for50 Challenge in celebration of its 50th Anniversary, raising money for further conservation work across Dorset. The winner will be announced on September 1st 2011. The final cut will be made by the winner at a special ceremony, to be arranged at their convenience in the autumn.

For your chance to win this exclusive prize, you can buy Rhody Raffle tickets for £1 on Brownsea Island, or phone Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.

-ENDS-
Notes to Editor

For more information please contact Nicky Hoar at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.

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About Dorset Wildlife Trust www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Working for a secure future for Dorset’s wildlife enriching the quality of life Dorset Wildlife Trust works to champion wildlife and natural places, to engage and inspire people and to promote sustainable living. Founded in 1961, DWT is now the largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, with over 25,000 members and 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. DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues and leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.

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The Wildlife Trusts (TWT) www.wildlifetrusts.org

There are 47 individual Wildlife Trusts covering the whole of the UK and the Isle of Man and Alderney. All are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone. We have more than 800,000 members including 150,000 members of our junior branch Wildlife Watch. Our vision is to create A Living Landscape and secure Living Seas. We manage around 2,300 nature reserves and every year we advise thousands of landowners and organisations on how to manage their land for wildlife. We also run marine conservation projects around the UK, collecting vital data on the state of our seas and celebrating our amazing marine wildlife. Every year we work with thousands of schools and our nature reserves and visitor centres receive millions of visitors. Each Wildlife Trust is working within its local communities to inspire people about the future of their area: their own Living Landscapes and Living Seas.

Red squirrel on Brownsea Island - Steve Maskell

 Room to breathe in Brownsea nature reserve woods -Nicky Hoar