We all appreciate the value of open green spaces, trees, countryside and undeveloped coastlines. The Island is particularly well-endowed with a great richness of wildlife. The great variety of geology results in a great variety of plants and animals from the open downs with their orchids, blue butterflies and skylarks, to the sandy cliffs with their coastal flowers and fossil dinosaurs. This diversity of our natural environment gives the Island its special character.

Nature is essential to the quality of life in our communities. We are in contact with nature through the wildlife which visits our gardens, and we are fortunate in that nowhere is very far from the coast or countryside where we can renew and refresh our acquaintance with nature. Living harmoniously with nature presents great challenges. Local action needs to complement national and international action. There are many successful examples of people working with nature rather than against it, but there is still much more to do.

Join a conservation working group
Volunteers help the RSPB manage its reserve at Brading Marshes by managing the land, leading guided walks and carrying out survey work. Join a nature conservation group (such as Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Wight Nature Fund) and take part in their work parties.

Help protect rare and endangered species
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust purchased land at Cranmore to protect one of Britain’s rarest moths, the Reddish Buff. Volunteers carry out scrub removal and path clearance to improve the habitat for the moth and Wight Wildlife works with nearby landowners to encourage sympathetic management to help the moth and other specialised plants and animals.

Help conserve our red squirrels
A network of volunteers across the Island, coordinated by the Wight Squirrel Project, looks after red squirrels in their gardens and acts as eyes and ears for problems which could be threats to red squirrels.

Encourage wildlife in your garden
Garden using organic and wildlife friendly techniques, compost green waste and reduce dependence upon watering. For more ideas on ways to encourage wildlife to your garden visit the Big Wildlife Garden website - it doesn’t matter if you have a tiny patio, a huge lawn or a school playing field; your garden could become part of England’s biggest new wildlife reserve!

Get involved
Get involved in Island Futures, the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) to make sure that the links between people and nature are clearly made. Find out about Eco Island - the Isle of Wight’s Sustainable Community Strategy.

Join up
Join a local organisation such as the Isle of Wight Natural History and Archaeological Society to learn from others whilst discovering more about our heritage.

| home | partnership | habitats | species | biodiversity opportunity areas | benefits of biodiversity |
biodiversity & you | advice | walks & events | library | contact |