Safeguarding our public open spaces

The importance of our restoring and protecting the valuable wild plant habitats found in our nature reserves has been given additional focus this year as Plantlife has significantly expanded the number of staff dedicated to their care and conservation.

23
nature reserves across the UK covering more than 4,500 acres

The new, four-strong team have become custodians for Plantlife’s 23 nature reserves, which are spread across the UK and together cover more than 4,500 acres. They are using their extensive knowledge to help the wide range of habitats found in our reserves to flourish so that the public can continue to enjoy diverse open spaces such as hay meadows, culm grassland, limestone pavement and upland pasture.

Many of our nature reserves are managed in collaboration with neighbouring landowners to secure the best possible conservation outcomes, which involves close partnership working. In addition, the team also offers practical advice and expertise to help tenants and supporters to safeguard the environment while raising the profile of wild plants and fungi, celebrating their beauty and protecting their future.

The expansion has given Plantlife a springboard to further extend our influence within the conservation sector while underlining our commitment to developing our nature reserves as shining examples of exemplary habitat management. Moving forwards, the new team will develop and deliver a nature reserves strategy designed to safeguard the future of these scarce habitats which are so vital to the survival of our native wild plants.