Concerns about the demands on funding sources, such as the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the future of EU linked government support for the management of the countryside, has led the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust to launch an appeal to safeguard the future of their 55 nature reserves.

The Trust is looking to raise £40,000 to help with the costs of managing the wildlife habitats on their nature reserves. The Trust also wants to ensure that their signage, fences, boardwalks and paths are all maintained in a good state of repair as many need urgent attention. Estates Manager, James Hitchcock comments: “These reserves represent some of the best examples in the county of ancient woodland, wildflower meadows and wetlands. It’s imperative that they are maintained in the best condition possible, both for our wildlife and to inspire and teach people about these fantastic habitats. As a charity we are reliant on people’s generosity and support to continue this work – we can’t do it without the people of Herefordshire! A donation £35 could pay for five metres of hedge laying; £150 for 20 square metres of coppicing or £400 could pay for 50 metres of new fencing.

Herefordshire is often described as England’s most rural county, with a rich mosaic landscape of small fields, ancient hedgerows and wooded hills. but the total area of land now under the Trust’s care has grown considerably from 840 acres in 2014 to over 1,325 acres to date.

If you wish to donate to the appeal visit justgiving.com/HerefordshireNatureReserves

For more information about the Trust’s reserves, follow their Rambles through Reserves blog: http://bit.ly/2qL7QiK go to herefordshirewt.org or get a copy of the full nature reserves guide free when you join the Trust as a member.