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  • reserves
  1. What we do
  2. Conservation
  3. Our reserves

Our reserves

The jewels in our crown, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation owns, leases or formally manages over 80 reserves covering more than 1500 ha (3800 acres) with a variety of different habitats, from coastal dunes to clay pits; woodland to heathland.

This land holding makes us one of the UK's leading managers of lowland dry heathland. By working in close co-operation with private landowners, local authorities and other NGOs, we are proud to protect some of Britain’s most precious habitat, saving some of our rarest native species of flora and fauna.

We have a dedicated field team dedicated to looking after these important places, and we work hard to ensure that all our reserves stay in tip top condition. The practical work involves the removal of trees and scrub; the control of bracken and other invasive plant species; the creation of basking sites for reptiles; and heather and gorse management to provide suitable vegetative structure to maintain the unique heathland fauna. This is carried out by our own team of specialist conservation field workers, working alongside our ever-growing list of enthusiastic volunteers.

And it’s not just amphibians and reptiles. We take into account the needs of all flora and fauna, and work to a holistic management plan, to benefit everyone - however big, or small: from Dartford warblers, to ladybird spiders.  

And we need your help to do this! Without the generous support of our ARC Friends and volunteers, we could not undertake this essential work, to save some of our most vulnerable native species, and ensure a future for all.

When planning to visit one of our reserves please take a minute to have a look at Visitor Safety on Reserves

Blackheath

Blackheath

As well as being an important site for reptiles, several heathland specialist invertebrate species are found on the site. Read more

Published: 14th January, 2018

Updated: 30th April, 2020

Author: Kim Boughey

Location: Littleford Lane, GU4 8QZ

Related topics:
  • Our reserves
Broxhead Common

Broxhead Common

A rich mosaic of heathland, acid grassland and secondary woodland, which supports sand lizards, rare heathland birds, and nationally rare invertebrate species. Read more

Published: 13th January, 2018

Updated: 30th April, 2020

Author: Kim Boughey

Related topics:
  • Our reserves
Canford Cliffs

Canford Cliffs

Canford Cliffs a small reserve in a stunning coastal location, with the introduced wall lizard being a very prominent species. Read more

Published: 12th January, 2018

Updated: 14th February, 2018

Author: Abby Louis

Related topics:
  • Our reserves
Chatley Heath

Chatley Heath

Nestled within the Thames Basin Heaths SPA, Chatley Heath is an internationally important area for birds, and provides a haven for our native reptiles, which can also now expand into the newly restored adjacent heathland at Ockham Common. Read more

Published: 11th January, 2018

Updated: 26th February, 2018

Author: Kim Boughey

Related topics:
  • Our reserves
Churt Valley and Plateau

Churt Valley and Plateau

Part of a landscape network of connected sites managed by organisations including Waverley Council and the National Trust this site supports all six native reptile species after successful reintroductions of sand lizards and smooth snakes. Read more

Published: 10th January, 2018

Updated: 9th April, 2018

Author: Kim Boughey

Related topics:
  • Our reserves
Clouds Hill

Clouds Hill

Clouds Hill, located within the Bovington tank training area has now become the ideal environment for sand lizard breeding. Read more

Published: 9th January, 2018

Updated: 14th February, 2018

Author: Abby Louis

Related topics:
  • Our reserves
Corfe Bluff

Corfe Bluff

Corfe Bluff is a small piece of heath hidden away in the beautiful surroundings of the Purbecks. Read more

Published: 8th January, 2018

Updated: 14th February, 2018

Author: Abby Louis

Related topics:
  • Our reserves
Corfe Hills East

Corfe Hills East

Corfe Hills East is a small block of heath located to the north Poole with a mix of dry heath and Molinia grassland. Read more

Published: 7th January, 2018

Updated: 14th February, 2018

Author: Abby Louis

Related topics:
  • Our reserves
Cranes Moor Bog

Cranes Moor Bog

Cranes Moor Bog is a medium sized site, unique amongst ARC’s reserves. Read more

Published: 6th January, 2018

Updated: 14th February, 2018

Author: Abby Louis

Related topics:
  • Our reserves
Creech Heath

Creech Heath

An excellent large piece of heath located in a stunning surrounding over looked by the Purbeck Ridge. A great place to visit to find some truly rare heathland species. Read more

Published: 5th January, 2018

Updated: 6th August, 2018

Author: Abby Louis

Related topics:
  • Our reserves
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Showing 10 of 42

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    Wanted: Sand Lizard surveyors on the Sefton coast

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    Round up of Herp Workers' Meeting 2021

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  • Vacancies

    Vacancies

    Come and work for us! See our current vacancies.

  • Newts FAQs

    Newts FAQs

    Frequently Asked Questions about... Newts!

  • Slow-worm

    Slow-worm

    Where to find slow-worms (legless lizard), how to identify them, their lifecycle and protection status.

  • Report your sightings!

    Report your sightings!

    Let us know which amphibians and reptiles you've seen

  • Adder

    Adder

    where to find adders, how to identify them, their lifecycle and protection status.

  • Natterjack toad

    Natterjack toad

    Where to find the natterjack toad, how to identify them, their lifecycle and protection status.

  • Grass snake

    Grass snake

    Where to find grass snakes, how to identify them, their lifecycle and protection status.

  • Great crested newt

    Great crested newt

    Where to find the great crested newt, how to identify them, their lifecycle and protection status.

  • Staff

    Staff

    Find contact details for our staff based across the UK.

  • Smooth newt

    Smooth newt

    Where to find the smooth newt, how to identify them, their lifecycle and protection status.

Tag cloud

Natterjack Toad State of Nature Report
ARC eNews

ARC eNews

Sign up and receive our e-Newsletter Read more

Published: 27th April, 2017

Updated: 14th October, 2020

Author: Kim Boughey

Related topics:
  • News & events

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Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
744 Christchurch Road
Boscombe
Bournemouth
Dorset BH7 6BZ

ARC Ecological Services Ltd
744 Christchurch Road
Boscombe
Bournemouth
Dorset BH7 6BZ

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