Healthy wetlands store carbon and slow the flow of water, cleaning it naturally and reducing flood risk downstream. They support an abundance of plant life, which in turn provide perfect shelter, nurseries and breeding grounds for wildlife.

Wildlife in this habitat: Bittern, Sand Martin, Little Egret, Grey Heron, European Otter, Beaver, Water Vole

Nature reserves: Idle Valley, Besthorpe, Attenborough, Skylarks

Habitat management: Removal of scrub, reeds and invasive species such as Himalayan balsam to leave room for ground-nesting birds.

Our woodlands are a key tool in the box when addressing climate change for their carbon storage potential, but are less well known for their potential to limit flooding events, with wet woodlands providing a great service in slowing the flow of water downstream after extreme rain events.

Wildlife in this habitat: Hazel Dormouse, Treecreeper, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Woodcock, European Badger, Common Toad

Nature reserves: Treswell Wood, Ploughman Wood, Foxcovert Plantation, Bunny Old Wood

Habitat management: Ash die-back management and replanting with native trees. Coppicing and maintaining open areas to prevent over-shading and domination by single tree species.

These wild, open landscapes stretch over large areas and are most often found in uplands. Although slow to awaken in spring, by late summer heathland can be an eye-catching purple haze of heather.

Wildlife in this habitat: Nightjar, Woodlark, Rabbit, Adder, Common Lizard

Nature reserves: Rainworth Heath, Strawberry Hill Heath

Habitat management: Grazing to control grasses and scrub, heather and gorse cutting, creating bare ground, controlled burning to promote growth.

Flower-rich grasslands, once a part of every farm, are part of our culture. Most have developed alongside humans because of livestock grazing and cutting for hay. Many have archaeological and historical features.

Wildlife in this habitat: Common Blue Butterfly, Brown Argus Butterfly, Lapwing, Curlew, Little Owl, Bumblebee, Field Vole

Nature reserves: Farndon Willow Holt, Woodthorpe Meadow, Ashtons Meadow

Habitat management: Meadows need to be cut once a year, then grazed by traditional breeds of sheep and cattle, helping prevent the encroachment of scrub like brambles and to tread in wildflower seeds that have dropped to the ground. 

Keeping it Wild are a youth-led volunteer group for 13-25 year olds based in Nottingham City Centre, meeting up at least once a week to plan, organize and carry out nature-based conservation. They are passionate about nature, conservation and adventure!

Their recent projects include:

• Travelled to London to demand a wilder future for us all, by presenting a 60,000-strong petition, along with 10,000 personal views shared by members of the public, at 10 Downing Street.
• Helped nature volunteers in St. Ann's to create their own Youth Group, giving advice on what makes a successful program and how we can all work together to create more opportunities for young people in the city to take action for nature and the environment.
• Worked with Center Parcs assisting with Heathland management, providing insight into what a large business can do for people and wildlife, and provided an opportunity to experience a different style of habitat management with dedicated conservation rangers
• Partaking in Nottingham Pride and joining the march through Nottingham to demonstrate their passion for inspiring and empowering people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities, and abilities to change the natural world.

"Through youth activism and volunteering programs, I help provide opportunities for young people to find their voice, build a sense of belonging, and develop hope in a fast-changing world. It’s more than just a job—it’s a mission I truly believe in." 

- Laura Bacon, People and Nature Officer for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Between 2020 and 2024 we helped secure a greener future for the Broadmarsh site in Nottingham city centre.

As Nottingham sought to recover from the human and economic impacts of COVID-19, we envisioned the Broadmarsh site transformed into a new natural greenspace for our City by taking a nature first approach to urban planning helping put nature into recovery and secure a greener recovery for our city.

Thanks to thousands of peoples support feeding into our campaign and the City Councils consultation, and the work of our experts providing advice for greening the area for both people and wildlife and working with the teams involved to produce the stunning Green Heart, we succeeded in our mission.

We're continuing to build connections between people and nature with a variety of programmes including:

• Wellbeing and Nature Spotting Walks: Our volunteer-led wellbeing and nature spotting walks create space for people to slow down, connect with nature and each other. We're now partnered with Mind Nottinghamshire who attend walks to provide additional support where needed.
• Wild Exchanges: Community Conservation in Action: Bringing together community groups, individuals and volunteers to share ideas and action on conservation. We’ve run seasonal workshops on eco-friendly gardening and species recording, and supported connections between groups to share skills and resources.
• Poetry and Nature Workshops: We blended creativity and conservation by offering poetry walks and writing workshops, supporting wellbeing while deepening people’s relationship with the natural world.
• Community Rewilding Support: We're supporting local groups with one-to-one advice, site visits, and facilitating peer-to-peer learning to help them rewild allotments, parks, churchyards and more across the county. Join our Wilder Nottinghamshire Network to find out more.

Given that the NWT staff team is small, we rely on an army of dedicated volunteers to achieve our big ambitions for wildlife. Volunteers work in a variety of fields, from conservation, where they support rangers out on reserves to manage habitats, to Trustees, who support us with governance and policy to ensure that our charity is efficient and effective.

Volunteering with the Trust has multiple benefits beyond making a difference for wildlife - it can act as a lifeline for many, improving physical and mental wellbeing and providing a sense of purpose and community.

"My hopes for wildlife in Nottinghamshire is a connected and thriving landscape that helps address local, national and global wildlife needs in perpetuity. I hope that everyone in Nottinghamshire will have high-quality nature on their doorstep to access and enjoy, from village greens and parks to ancient woodlands."

- Lauren Moore, Trustee of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is nothing without its members. The Trust was formed in the 1960s when communities came together to protect wildlife and it's this foundation that we have built on. Members are a community of nature lovers and champions that inspire us to do more for wildlife, and who provide the means for us to do so in a sustainable way. They are experts, enthusiasts and indispensable. 

• We bring together young people from ages 8-25 through our three youth engagement programmes (Wildlife Watch, Keeping it Wild and Young Rangers), all designed to increase nature connection, improve mental wellbeing and provide opportunities to take positive action for wildlife.  

It’s vital that as future custodians of our planet, young people should experience, be inspired by, and knowledgeable about nature.

"[Volunteering has] helped me understand the practical steps we can take to protect and enhance our local environment. Along the way, I’ve made new friends who share my interest in nature and volunteering, and I’ve had the chance to explore parks and green spaces around Nottingham that I might not have discovered otherwise."

- One of our Young Ranger volunteers

You can be a wildlife champion too! By donating to the appeal, you'll be taking action for wildlife, and empowering others to do the same!

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