Havens for Wildlife

The goal

to establish a network of areas across Avon which provide wildlife with the space and conditions to thrive and spread

How?

Rebuild biodiversity

Over the last 25 years the Trust has built up a portfolio of nature reserves, protecting some of Avon’s most important wildlife sites, habitats and species. These reserves are a vital safeguard, yet wildlife can do so much better in larger, more expansive areas.

By joining up habitats and landscapes, wildlife can return to former haunts and reverse decades of decline. It will also be able to adapt naturally to the inevitable changes now occurring due to climate change and development pressure.

To create this more extensive wildlife network, the Trust will develop broad partnerships, promoting ‘rebuilding biodiversity’ to individuals, authorities and organisations that own or manage land.

Landscape-scale restoration will be encouraged across a series of sites under different ownership
or management, becoming ‘joined up’ to form cohesive networks for wildlife.


Nature reserves

The Trust continues to protect and promote wildlife throughout the former Avon area following the abolition of the old County - now Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. We manage 37 nature reserves, advise landowners on management which can benefit wildlife, and promote access to the natural environment in both urban and rural areas. We also involve people in surveys, monitor local planning issues, provide information on wildlife, and run a number of special projects focusing on specific areas, habitats and species.

Click for information on this area Lower Woods Willsbridge Valley Weston Moor Weston Big Wood Priory Farm Purn Hill Walborough Tucking Mill Meadow Tickenham Hill Stockwood Open Space Stephens Vale Coombe Brook Valley Royate Hill Walton Common Puxton Moor Pill Paddock Netcotts meadow Monk Woods Littleton Brick Pits Lawrence Weston Moor Kingsweston Down Helenge Hill Goblin Combe Priors Wood Dolebury Warren Cleeve Heronry Clapton Moor Burledge Hill Chew Valley Lake Charfield Meadow Browns Folly Brandon Hill Blakes Pools Bathampton Meadow Avonmouth Sewage Works Ashton Court Meadow Severn Estuary Severn Vale Mendips Bristol Gordano valley Cotswolds Avon Gorge North Somerset Levels Folly Farm Max Bog (not illustrated)
Download a printable version (PDF)
Click on a reserve or use the drop-down menu

Our Wild Places

Download a guide to our Top 20 nature reserves (PDF)

Seasonal strolls

A seasonal guide to some of our ../reserves, with details of what you can look out for.

Become a volunteer

Get outdoors with our practical teams, gain experience as a volunteer placement, help us look after your local nature reserve or join in with wildlife surveys.
(above PDF documents require Adobe Acrobat, available free here)

Information on projects:

Audience Development Plan
Bristol Wildlife Project
Education Programme for Schools


North Somerset Levels & Moors Project
Wessex Water Biodiversity Project

Partner organisations:

Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre (BRERC)
Corporate Members
DEFRA
Natural England
Environment Agency
Environmental Business Consortium
Forest of Avon
Forestry Commission

 

Landmark Environmental Consultants
Local Authorities
South West Regional Wildlife Trusts
The Sensory Trust
The Wildlife Trusts

Information on areas:

Avon Gorge
Bristol
Cotswolds

Gordano Valley
Mendips
North Somerset Levels & Moors
Severn Estuary
Severn Vale

Visiting the reserves

Fact sheets:

Information on species
Wildlife Action Pack

Information on projects:

Access Project
Bristol Wildlife Project
Capital Projects on Nature reserves
(supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund)
Education Programme for Schools


North Somerset Levels & Moors Project
Biodiversity Project

Partner organisations:

Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre (BRERC)
Corporate Members
English Nature
Environment Agency
Environmental Business Consortium
Forest of Avon

 

Forestry Commission
Local Authorities
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF)
South West Regional Wildlife Trusts
The Sensory Trust
The Wildlife Trusts

Information on areas:

Avon Gorge
Bristol
Cotswolds

Gordano Valley
Mendips
North Somerset Levels & Moors
Severn Estuary
Severn Vale

Visiting the reserves

Fact sheets:

Information on species
Wildlife Action Pack

Home