In September 2023, we launched an urgent appeal to raise much-needed funds to complete work on our nature reserves. 

Nature reserves are some of the last refuges where wild plants, mammals, birds (like lapwings, pictured above) and insects are given the space they need to survive. The 30 nature reserves in our care are some of the best wildlife havens remaining across the region.

We’ve had a fantastic response so far, with over £14,000 raised. However, we still have a way to go to reach our £52,298 target.

A donation of £44 could help protect an acre of nature reserve for a whole year!

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At Cheshire Wildlife Trust, we’re all dedicated to protecting our precious local habitats and species. Here are just some of the people behind the scenes making it happen at some of Cheshire's Last Refuges.

Senior Living Landscape Officer, Jack helps looks after Gowy Meadows Nature Reserve near Ellesmere Port – one of the few remaining refuges for water voles in the area. Sadly, water voles are one of the UK’s fastest declining mammals. Jack says:
 
“We do a wide variety of work to support water voles at Gowy Meadows. For example, I've recently been creating ponds near to the ditches where we know the water voles are living. The ponds allow different types of aquatic plants to grow, which provides excellent food and shelter for the water voles. 
 
"With your donation, I’ll also be able to restore a network of old river channels, connecting them to other watercourses to allow water voles to move more freely. I've set up some cameras to see how they're getting on, so hopefully we’ll capture some exciting footage!”.

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Living Landscape Officer, Graham helps looks after Marbury Reedbed in Northwich - a last refuge for bitterns in Cheshire. Bitterns are one of the rarest breeding birds in the UK. Graham says:

 “We close public access between October and March to protect overwintering bitterns from disturbance. During this time, I can clear the inflow to the reedbed to make sure it’s a healthy, safe habitat. 

"Bitterns like open reedbed so with your donation I'll be able to remove some encroaching willow which, if left, would slowly develop into wet woodland.”  

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Land Management Officer, Darren manages our work at Bickley Hall Farm - a last refuge for breeding lapwings in south Cheshire. Lapwings have suffered a serious decline as a breeding species across the UK. Darren says:
 
 “I love working at Bickley Hall Farm, especially in the autumn months with so many colours, listening to the pink-footed geese flying overhead and the arrival of overwintering birds”. 
 
"With your donation, I’ll be doing some hedge laying this winter and creating more wader scrapes on the floodplain grazing marsh habitat on the farm. Waders such as lapwings prefer to nest on bare ground or in short grass so that they can see predators more easily. Working with our grazing partner to ensure the grass is grazed by the cattle to just the right height coming into early spring is really important. The new ponds and wader scrapes will also help lapwings to feed themselves and their young.” 

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Senior Living Landscape Officer, Ralph leads on our work at Swettenham Valley Nature Reserve - a last refuge for butterflies near Holmes Chapel. Half of British butterflies are now classed as either threatened or near threatened with extinction. Ralph says: 

“With a mix of woodland and grassland, Swettenham provides an excellent habitat for many species of butterfly. 

"With your donation, I'll be able to create more open grassland, providing food and shelter for butterflies and other pollinators. By opening up small clearings along the edge of the woodland areas, I’ll also be able to create a sunny microclimate which is perfect for sun-loving butterflies and encourages lots of beautiful plants and wildflowers". 

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Living Landscape Officer, Jamie manages our work at Danes Moss Nature Reserve - a last refuge for common lizards in Macclesfield. Danes Moss is a peatland bog, one of the scarcest and most threatened habitats in the UK. Jamie says:
 
“The priority for our work at Danes Moss is to maintain the bog habitat. I do this by removing birch scrub from the moss to retain moisture. We then move the cut birch stems into the woodland to provide deadwood habitat piles. 
 
"With your donation, I'll also be able to do some woodland thinning on the reserve which allows more sunlight to penetrate through the canopy, which in turn encourages species like oak and rowan to become better established in the woodland.  
 
Common lizards love to bask on the exposed surfaces like the boardwalk, as well as on the edge of the woodland. They benefit from the work we do to maintain the bog. Brash piles provide space to hibernate, maintaining open areas on the moss provides space for basking in the sunshine and holding water on the reserve provides habitat for invertebrates such as spiders, flies and beetles, which common lizards feed on." 

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