This campaign has now closed
60% of British species have declined in the past 50 years. The habitats they rely on – like ancient woodlands and hedgerows - have been cut down, mismanaged, or degraded. We must stop this. With your support, we can protect these habitats and stop our wildlife from disappearing.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Situation
Ancient woodlands are one of the richest habitat in the UK and home to thousands of species, including red squirrels, hazel dormice, owls, bats, and numerous insects and fungi. But they now cover only 2.5% of our land. Ancient woodland can’t be replaced, and when we cut down trees, degrade the land, or clear it for development, we lose this habitat forever. With so little of this vital habitat remaining, we think it’s our duty to protect what’s left, ensuring a home for these vulnerable species.
Solution
We own Briddlesford Woods, the largest ancient semi-natural wood on the Isle of Wight. It’s over 400 years old, and one of the last places in the UK with both hazel dormice and red squirrels. It also has two rare bat species, thousands of insect species, and some very special plants, including narrow-leaved lungwort. Briddlesford is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, meaning it’s protected as one the country’s best wildlife sites; we’ve been enhancing its flora and fauna for over 30 years.
