Saving wildlife on two wheels

The man whose ride around Dorset’s nature reserves 15 years ago was the inspiration for this year’s new countywide cycle route has vowed to do it again.  Now President of Dorset Wildlife Trust and aged “15 years older”, Tony Bates first cycled around Dorset Wildlife Trust’s reserves in 1996, raising £1200 in sponsorship to help with the purchase of the Brooklands Farm Conservation Centre and completing the ride in two weeks.   Now he is tackling the new 42toDO route, launched this year to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Dorset Wildlife Trust and linking all of its 42 nature reserves.

Tony's adventures...

Tony Bates said: “It was certainly easier 15 years ago, with fewer reserves and I was a bit younger!  For our 50th Anniversary 42toDO I intend to do the same and beat both time and sponsorship.  I’ve always been a keen cyclist and it is a challenge to do the whole lot again this time around ­ and more!.  It is even more important now to raise funds to protect wildlife into the future and I hope people will sponsor me on this epic journey through this most wonderful county.”

More about Tony

Tony Bates, who lives in Bere Regis, was Chairman of Dorset Wildlife Trust for 12 years prior to becoming President following the death of Helen Brotherton.  An engineer by profession, Tony is a keen naturalist and an accomplished photographer, whose photographs have just been published in the new book ‘Dorset ­ A Naturalist’s County’.  He has been a leading conservationist for many years and continues to inspire people with a love of nature in his role as President of Dorset’s leading conservation organisation.

You can sponsor Tony and follow his progress at here or ring 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.

Read our Blog "Wildlife Matters"

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.

Fontmell Down nature reserve 1996 - Tony Bates

 Tony Bates - Dorset Wildlife Trust