ARC Nature reserves

NATURE RESERVES

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation owns, leases or formally manages over 80 reserves covering more than 1500 ha (3800 acres) and a variety of different habitats, from coastal dunes to clay pits, woodland to heathland. We're one of the UK's leading managers of lowland dry heathland and work in close co-operation with private landowners and various organisations.

The majority of practical work on our reserves involves the removal of trees and scrub, the control of bracken and other invasive plant species, the creation of basking sites, and heather and gorse management to provide suitable age classes of vegetation for different aspects of our unique heathland fauna. This work is mainly carried out by our own team of specialist conservation field workers, as well as our ever-growing list of volunteers. arc_map_key

When managing our reserves we try to take into account the needs of all flora and fauna, not just amphibians and reptiles, and produce an integrated management plan. Our sites are carefully monitored for a number of key species.

We own ten sites totalling just over 170 ha.:- Lions Hill, Noon Hill, Great Ovens Hill, Ham Common, East Worgret, Norden, Corfe Bluff, Martello Road Cliffs and Purbeck Close in Dorset, and Witley, Hankley and Hyton marsh in Surrey. The purchase of these sites has been made possible as a result of generous funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the European Union's LIFE Grant, The British Herpetological Society, Viridor through the land fill tax credit system, and donations from landowners.

Today, much of our resources are directed to the management of our reserves and additional funding is provided by Natural England's Grant Aid, through the Higher Level Stewardship scheme and the Reserves Enhancement Scheme.

Other important reserves, such as 'Parley Common, Ferndown Common and Town Common (Bournemouth), are leased or managed under licence and support different amphibian and reptile populations, as well as other important species such as water voles, stoneworts and various birds.

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation is assisted by volunteers who help with reserve management, wardening and monitoring of the wildlife on our sites. Without them much of our work would not be possible.

Find out more:

Dorset reserves

Weald, Surrey reserves