Dorset Wildlife Trust launches urgent campaign to save Upton Heath

A key parcel of land at the heart of Upton Heath is set to be sold by auction, putting one of the UK’s largest remaining areas of precious lowland heathland at risk.

The site, which supports rare and threatened wildlife including sand lizards, Dartford warblers and smooth snakes will go under the hammer on 29 April with a historic permission for mineral extraction - making it vulnerable to a speculative purchase that could lead to devastating damage to this fragile habitat.

The land forms a crucial part of the wider heath, and its loss or degradation would have significant consequences for biodiversity, fire risk and public access. Without intervention, the future of this nationally important landscape could be compromised.

In response, we have launched an urgent fundraising campaign to secure the site for long‑term conservation. Donate or find out more about Save Upton Heath.

This campaign represents a rare and time-critical opportunity to protect this site. It was formerly leased by Dorset Wildlife Trust; however, following termination of that lease by the landowner to pursue their minerals interest, the site has suffered several years of neglect following the end of previous conservation management, leading to habitat decline and increased fire risk. It is vital that we get the land back into sympathetic management as soon as possible.

We are working urgently to form a partnership with local authorities, statutory bodies and supporters to raise the funds needed to purchase the land and bring it back into positive management. Securing this site would restore the integrity of the wider nature reserve, improve habitat conditions for the extraordinary wildlife that depends on it, enable us to better manage the risk of heathland fires and anti-social impacts, and enhance access to this much-loved greenspace for local communities.

Brian Bleese, Chief Executive
Dorset Wildlife Trust