Visiting our Nature Reserves

Cooper's Hill - Dave McKay

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Visiting Nature Reserves

We manage more than 100 nature reserves (https://www.wildlifebcn.org/list-nature-reserves)

Our reserves cover 3,945 hectares of land ()

Over 30 wildlife activities offered each month (https://www.wildlifebcn.org/events)

Nature reserves are refuges for wildlife

We look after more than 100 nature reserves across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. A vast array of wildlife thrives in these vital refuges due to the unique habitat they offer and our management work to keep the conditions right.

We love nature and we want others to love it too.

We offer free public entry to most of our reserves (unless it is unsafe to do so, or if there is a risk of irreversible damage to wildlife). We just ask all visitors to follow our reserve access guidelines.

We are expecting our reserves to be under additional pressure at this time - please check and follow our updated Covid-19 response guidelines below

Have Fun, Stay Safe and Respect the Wildlife (https://youtu.be/K_VJY5_xdm8)

Credit: Naturetastic

Reserve Access Guidelines

Stick to the paths - Straying from the path, particularly in wet and muddy weather, can cause damage to emerging plants (such as bluebells) and can increase chances of getting ticks or Lyme Disease (both for humans and for dogs!). Wear suitable footwear to be able to stay on paths that may be muddy.
Strictly no camping at any nature reserve
Swimming is not permitted on any of our nature reserves at any time of year. These sites are managed for nature and swimming is high likely to cause disturbance to the wildlife we work hard to protect.
Dogs permitted in some areas under close control and on a lead around livestock - especially in lambing season (read more about dogs on reserves)
Leave gates and property as you find them
Take your litter home - it can be useful to bring a bag for it.
But nothing else! - Please don't forage, take wild plants or fallen branches home with you.
No naked flames, fires or barbecues are allowed on our reserves. Please do not discard cigarette butts.
No drones or remote control vehicles - they can distress! (more information below)
No commercial activity without consent - email us to find out more
Follow the Countryside Code

Guidelines in response to Covid-19

Practise social distancing - turn back if not possible without straying from the path.
Avoid touching infrastructure such as gates, benches, bird hides and railings where germs can be spread - we do not routinely clean these.
Respect any signs and closures you may come across.
Be aware that we may not have staff on site.

Summer also means...

Warmer weather and drier ground and foliage - please, no barbecues or fires at any of our reserves.
Lakes, ponds and rivers at our nature reserves are for wildlife only. No swimming allowed - and please keep dogs out of the water unless the area is clearly signposted as a doggy dip area.
No overnight camping is allowed at our nature reserves.

Covid-19 Response Updates

No drone zone

Click to find out why we don't allow drones

For the safety and enjoyment of other visitors, and to protect wildlife from disturbance, please do not fly unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) or other remote-control flying devices in our nature reserves without permission.

The use of drones is overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority and is an area where regulation is currently developing. Drones require permission and licensing to operate, and operators must have sufficient training and insurance to use them safely and responsibly.

Our reserves are important areas for wildlife and many of them are used for breeding. These sites are sensitive to disturbance; for instance, birds may feel threatened by drones and abandon their nests.

We do obtain drone footage of our reserves to assist our conservation work, but it is done by our own licensed operator, or with our permission if we are confident the operator is licensed and insured and that wildlife will not be injured or disturbed. If you have any questions about drones on our nature reserves please contact communicationsteam@wildlifebcn.org.

You can help

You can help us continue to care for our nature reserves as a volunteer or as a member of the Trust. We rely on volunteers to help with a lot of the vital management work needed – we could not achieve success for local wildlife without the massive contribution that volunteers make. If you're interested in giving some time to help wildlife find out more on our volunteering pages.

You can also help our nature reserves to survive and grow by becoming a member or making a donation to our work.