Field & Stream
Support wildlife and learn for pennies By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@blackmorevale.net
Dorset’s wildlife is also at great risk from the devastating effects of climate Wildlife enthusiasts can change, the ecological crisis, brush up on their nature and the pandemic, which has knowledge and help charity prevented volunteer work for about a ha’penny a day from taking place for most of this year. 2020. Dorset Wildlife Trust is Support care officer Nancy offering half price Taylor said: “In 2021 the membership this month, importance of nature in our which starts from just £1.75 lives has never been clearer. a month for a year (direct People have reconnected debit only). with the natural world on Throughout the pandemic, their doorstep, appreciating Dorset Wildlife Trust’s the positive impact of nature nature reserves have on their wellbeing. But our wildlife is disappearing at an alarming rate. Some of our mostloved species are threatened, with 26 per cent of UK mammals in danger of disappearing altogether and hedgehogs, red squirrels, bats, turtle doves, THE BIG SLEEP: Dormouse © Terry Whittaker cuckoo, water voles and 2020VISION basking sharks provided essential green all at risk. But there is hope. space for local residents to “By becoming a member, enjoy, while providing a safe you directly contribute to place for Dorset’s huge protecting the habitats of variety of wildlife. Despite the year’s challenges, conservation work continued throughout to maintain nature reserves that many of Dorset’s best-loved species call home. However, much of the summer and autumn was also spent addressing vandalism, heath fires and fly-tipping on nature reserves. While work to tackle these problems has begun, rehabilitation of these spaces takes time and there is still plenty to do. Beyond these threats, 80
BREAKFAST IS READY: Hibernating dormouse © Danny Green
endangered species in Dorset. Dorset Wildlife Trust’s work to care for these places is only possible through the generosity of our members and without them we wouldn’t be able to achieve all that we do for wildlife in Dorset.” This offer is valid until the ned of January. A year’s membership starts at £1.75 a month for an individual, £2 a month for joint membership, and £2.25 a month for a family membership. Individual and joint
members receive an exclusive membership magazine, Dorset Wildlife, 3 times a year, and a guide to all 42 DWT nature reserves. Family memberships include four issues of the magazine a year, as well as the individual membership benefits. To sign up go to dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/bec ome-member
