50th anniversary of Dorset Wildlife Trust

2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

From small beginnings in 1961, the trust has grown into the largest nature conservation body in the county; managing 42 nature reserves, covering 1300 hectares of the most important wildlife havens. They have 25,000 members and an army of active volunteers who help with tasks such as path creation and clearance, scrub clearance and hedge laying; as well as recording & monitoring wildlife on nature the reserves.

Here are some interesting facts about wildlife in Dorset, from Dorset Wildlife Trust:

• Dorset has the greatest biodiversity, for its size, of any county in Britain


• Dorset has a 10km square containing more plant species than any other in Great Britain


• Otters are now found on all Dorset’s river catchments


• Dorset is the only site for Britain’s rarest spider, the ladybird spider


• Dorset has all 6 species of British reptile as well as some alien invaders!


• The first breeding little egrets in Britain nested on Brownsea Island


• Dorset’s seagrass meadows are the only site in the country where both British species of seahorse are known to breed.


• Dorset is the only place in the UK where the anemone shrimp has been found

They encourage participants to register and obtain sponsorship, and there are prizes! All those that visit 21 or the full 42 reserves will receive a certificate and commemorative badge, and there will be special prizes for the fastest, largest group, highest fundraisers, the youngest participant and ‘anything else that captures our attention’.

At the end of this milestone year they will be holding a Golden Jubilee Concert at the Lighthouse, Poole, on Saturday 3rd December 2011. This promises to be a fantastic evening with internationally renowned conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner, and the acclaimed Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

You can keep up to date with Dorset Wildlife Trust on Twitter @DorsetWildlife and Facebook dorsetwildlifetrust.

In keeping with Dorset Wildlife Trust’s conservation work and wildlife protection, we support and promote sustainable tourism and offer sustainable holiday accommodation in Dorset. Please contact us to book your eco-friendly holiday.