Wildlife Projects
Wildlife
Our wildlife projects are fantastic examples of conservation management; we frequently take on neglected pieces of land and transform them to wondrous place for both the wildlife and human visitors. We use the extensive knowledge of our own team and frequently work in partnership with other Island organisations to restore and manage our wildlife sites. All of our projects benefit wildlife, be it one species such as the Spotted Flycatcher or an entire habitat, such as our magnificent meadows, encompassing thousands of species.
Click here to donate to our conservation projects
Totland Meadow
We took on One Horse Field in 2006 as a neglected piece of waste land rapidly reverting to scrub. After discussions with local people and other wildlife organisations it was decided to manage the land true to its heritage – in this case a mowed meadow. Meadows are a man made landscape feature and require a little help from us to exist as fantastically diverse habitats. We carefully remove a selection of the invasive scrub, opening areas which had already succumbed to a monoculture of scrub land. The maintenance regime involves regular rotational mowing which ensures the site provides suitable variety of habitat to support a range of species, including many different butterflies and dragonflies. The site is also used as a relocation centre for displaced Slow Worms.
Ventnor Lizard Wall
This project piloted Gift to Nature in 2002. In Ventnor we have been blessed with a population of Wall Lizards. Wall Lizards are real urban wildlife, living in walls, cracks and crevices. New developments have neglected to consider these creatures and they are being pushed out of much of their habitat. The wall lizard is becoming increasingly rare and in need of our help. Ventnor is renowned for its micro-climate, the gardens are sunny, south-facing and sheltered so great for basking lizards. The nooks and crannies of the wall Gift to Nature created provide an ideal home for the lizards and the colony is now well-established and continuing to thrive. We have produced a leaflet advising on how to help the lizards in your garden which is available from our downloads page.
