Wildlife in Trust

This is a massive book (it weighs over four pounds) – in natural history terms the same as an osprey, commemorating a hundred years of conservation, a history of the Wildlife Trusts. A history which commenced in 1912 (see Natur Cymru 43, pp 6-10) with the formation of the Society for the Promotion of Nature Reserves (SPNR). In 1915 the fledgling Society published a map of ‘sites worthy of preservation’, 182 in all. Eighteen of these were in Wales, but there were some notable omissions such as Skomer, which had been a private nature reserve since about 1900.

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The 199 page history section is followed by 391 pages devoted to the forty-seven Trusts, from Alderney to Yorkshire. The individual accounts vary slightly in length; in Wales between six pages for Gwent and ten for South and West Wales. Each begins with a full-page illustration and includes a map showing the location of the Trust nature reserves. Text and photographs follow the same broad theme: a brief description of the Trust area and its establishment and history, and including appropriate tributes to the many honorary officers and other volunteers who pioneered the way before paid staff became the norm.

Some amazing highlights are revealed like the £1 million legacy from Bermuda to the Brecknock Trust. Montgomeryshire, one of the youngest, having been formed in 1981 when it declared independence from the North Wales Trust, was blessed with a similar amount from a hardly known member. Radnorshire, which split off from Hereford in 1987, is the smallest Trust in Wales and shortly after its independence purchased the 383 acre Gilfach Farm. The success of West Wales in raising funds to purchase Skomer in 1958 and Skokholm, which it had leased since 1948, in 2006 continued its long history of involvement with islands, for it leased Cardigan Island in 1944, subsequently purchasing it in 1963.

The third part of the book, some 161 pages long, is a reference section. Of trust personalities and pioneers, sadly, Ronald Lockley, who was so involved in West Wales for over 30 years, has slipped through the net. This section covers campaigns, medals and mergers and much else. A photograph of the Kite Committee in 1964 has William Condry incorrectly described as the founder of the West Wales Trust.

The author and all those who have played a part in bringing this vast book to fruition are to be congratulated, but is there not a sense of over-kill? I fear few readers in Wales will wish to read about, say, the Derbyshire Trust or that in Hertfordshire and Middlesex, any more than readers in those counties will wish to read about Radnor or South and West Wales. Might not a book using the first and third sections and leaving out the individual trusts have a wider appeal? The price would be that much less, not forgetting the weight.

This review written by David Saunders was published in the winter edition of Natur Cymru.

74 NNRs in the big parade ...

Wales has more nature reserves per capita than any other country in the UK or on mainland Europe. This says a lot, not only about the outstanding landscape, scenic beauty and wildlife diversity of Wales, but also about how its people value being close to nature and want to protect their natural heritage.

Each year millions of visitors enjoy nature reserves in Wales; many more would do so if only these special places were easier to find. Once off the beaten track exploring the countryside can be confusing, even for local people - much more so for holidaymakers, for many of whom nature reserves are high on the list of reasons for coming to Wales. Few reserves are signed from main roads. Many are down confusing networks of lanes where it is all too easy to get lost, wasting precious leisure time.

This spring a comprehensive guide to every National Nature Reserve (NNR) in Wales - plus dozens of our finest RSPB, Wildlife Trust and other nature sites - is being launched. www.waleswildlife.com is online now, with maps, directions, photographs of difficult junctions or hard-to-spot landmarks on the way to each reserve, plus details of facilities onsite and nearby as well as pictures of landscape features, habitats and species to look out for. It helps people to decide where to go and when, whether they are birders, wildflower lovers, fungi fanciers or fossil fans – or whether the priority is for somewhere safe for the kids, or suitable for Auntie Jenny who now can’t manage stiles and rough ground.

The author, Sue Parker, is a keen naturalist with a lifelong interest in wildflowers, and wild orchids in particular. Sue says, ‘It has been almost a full-time job for the past three years, visiting hundreds of reserves, some several times to record the changing seasons. This online resource would fill a thousand pages in book form, but it’s a labour of love, and I am continually updating and adding new information.’

A Wildlife Trust volunteer herself, Sue has dedicated the website to … ‘the hundreds of volunteers who work for the wildlife of Wales. Every wildlife conservation organisation in Wales is dependent on an army of people who turn out in all winds and weathers to work on our nature reserves for the benefit of plants, fungi, animals, birds and insects - and us. They also staff the offices, man the telephones, support special events for the public, and carry out a multitude of other tasks including the all-important one of fundraising. Thank you!’ 

With more than 70 National Nature Reserves and as many Local Nature Reserves funded by and managed on behalf of the people of Wales, it is hardly surprising that these special sites receive several million visits a year by locals and visitors. Added to this the Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust, Plantlife, RSPB, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and other charitable and voluntary bodies also maintain a wealth of wonderful wildlife sanctuaries where people can get close to nature.

Sue Parker’s family came from Cardiff, but she was born in Tenby and has lived in many parts of Wales including Bridgend, Anglesey, Carmarthenshire and now Ceredigion. She is the author of several books about wildflowers, including Wild Orchids in Wales, and she co-authored the series Wonderful Wildflowers of Wales. As well as occasionally contributing to Radio and TV programmes on nature topics in Wales, Sue Parker is often called upon to give talks on wildflowers. Sue can be contacted via sue@waleswildlife.com