Wildlife Matters

Join ecologists Steve Masters and Colleen Smith‑Moore as they take you behind the scenes of Dorset Wildlife Trust’s 42 nature reserves. From daily habitat management to monitoring rare species, long‑term conservation planning and the thrill of spring survey season, this podcast reveals the real work, challenges and joys of protecting Dorset’s most precious wild places.

Discover Dorset’s precious heathlands and the incredible wildlife they support in this podcast. Wardens Anna Kenny and Phoebe Williams explore how humans have shaped these landscapes over thousands of years reveal how restoration and careful management help endangered plants, reptiles, birds, and insects thrive.

Nicki from Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Communities team teams up with volunteer coordinator Anna to explore how the Living Churchyards project has transformed churchyards into thriving wildlife havens. From creating wildflower meadows to hedgehog hideouts to inspiring stories of community action, biodiversity wins, and the challenges overcome. Learn how you can get involved and help turn these historic and sacred spaces into vibrant sanctuaries for nature and people alike.

Join River Catchment Manager Amanda Broom and Assistant Conservation Officer Hannah Divine as they explore why rivers matter, the threats they face, and how we can all help protect them. From simple home habits to large-scale restoration projects like Dorset Wild Rivers, discover how small actions make a big impact. Tune in, get inspired, and be part of the change for Dorset’s waterways.

With nature in crisis and the decline in many species especially pollinators, wildlife-friendly gardening in your garden, on your balcony, patio or local green space is a fantastic way for everyone to do something to help wildlife in their patch. Karen Stanberry and Mitch Perkins from the Wilder Communities team offer practical advice and inspiring examples to inspire us all to help wildlife on our doorstep. https://www.facebook.com/karenstanberrywildlife/

In March 2024, Dorset Wildlife Trust acquired 827 acres of land at Lyscombe, north-east of Dorchester. It’s the biggest land acquisition in Dorset Wildlife Trust’s history and represents an incredible opportunity to make space for nature. So In this podcast, Steve Jones, Wilder Landscapes Officer and Lyscombe ranger, Ben Atkinson discuss why Dorset Wildlife Trust acquired this site, how it will make more space for nature and what happens next.

Meet the Dorset Wildlife Trust rangers who manage the northern part of Brownsea island for wildlife in partnership with the National Trust and engage with visitors. For its size, Brownsea is one of the most biodiverse sites in England with a species list of 4,900 in total and over 300 bird species recorded. Find out about the birds which make Brownsea Lagoon their home, how Dorset Wildlife Trust manages the area to help wildlife thrive, and what makes the island such a special place for wildlife and people.

The Urban Green project aimed to empower local people to improve their green spaces for the benefit of people and wildlife. Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Communities Officer, Anona Dawson talks to Tessa Nesbit, the rector of St Peter’s Church in Hamworthy to share the story of the transformation of the Bluebell Community Woodland at St Michael’s Church, Hamworthy. Their conversation gives an insight into the project’s incredible impact on this beautiful woodland, its wildlife and the community of neighbours, volunteers and parishioners. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE URBAN GREEN PROJECT https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/connecting-people-with-nature/urban-green BECOME A MEMBER Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member STAY CONNECTED Join our mailing list https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup FIND US Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/ Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/ Watch our videos on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/user/DorsetWildlifeTrust GIVE A WILDLIFE GIFT Shop for membership gifts and adoptions https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop With Thanks to Anona Dawson, Tessa Nesbit Production: Dani Wilson

Allowing nature to take the lead is the ethos underpinning the rewilding project at Wild Woodbury. Reversing the system of deep ditches built to drain the land was a key part of the vision to rewet the land to create habitat for wildlife and to slow the flow to reduce flood risk - find out how and why Dorset Wildlife Trust has renaturalised the headwaters of the River Sherford across the land and the difference it has made for wildlife and people. SUPPORT WILD WOODBURY https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/conservation-work-land/wild-woodbury BECOME A MEMBER Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member STAY CONNECTED Join our mailing list https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup FIND US Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/ Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/ Watch our videos on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/user/DorsetWildlifeTrust GIVE A WILDLIFE GIFT Shop for membership gifts and adoptions https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop With Thanks to Rob Farrington, Seb Haggett Production: Dani Wilson

In this episode we join Marine Awareness Officer, Julie Hatcher and award-winning videographer Doug Anderson as they chat about his remarkable career as one of the world’s top underwater cameramen. Doug shares some of the highs and lows of his fascinating career which spans more than 20 years as well as sharing his views on the damage he has witnessed to our seabeds and marine wildlife. You can read more about Doug’s extensive portfolio of work and awards here: https://www.doug-anderson.com/ Dorset Wildlife Trust have launched an urgent appeal for you to support If we don’t act now, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050. Can you imagine a sea so full of plastic that every fish and every seabird has plastic in its stomach? A world where there is more plastic in the sea than fish? If we don't act now, this could become reality for Dorset's coast and marine wildlife. Donate to our urgent appeal and you will be supporting work to stop plastic destroying our seas and the wonderful wildlife living there. Your donation could provide equipment to help remove deadly litter from our coast, or fund essential camera equipment to monitor the effects of pollution on seals and more wildlife. Your donation will help our seas survive, and our marine wildlife thrive. SAVE OUR WILD SEAS Click here to make your donation: https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/appeals/save-our-wild-seas THANK YOU! With Thanks to Julie Hatcher, Doug Anderson and Hazel Ormrod Producer: Dani Wilson Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member STAY CONNECTED Join our mailing list https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup FIND US Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/ Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/ Watch our videos on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/DorsetWildlifeTrust

Join chief executive Brian Bleese as he talks with Hazel from the Wildlife Matters team about our pioneering re-wilding project in Bere Regis. We also join the team as they welcome staff and children from Bere Regis Primary School on site as part of a long term community project. SUPPORT US Make a donation to our rewilding project, Wild Woodbury. https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/wildlife-conservation/wild-woodbury Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member STAY CONNECTED Join our mailing list https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup FIND US Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/ Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/ Watch our videos on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/user/DorsetWildlifeTrust GIVE A WILDLIFE GIFT Shop for membership gifts and adoptions https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop With Thanks to Brian Bleese, Hazel Ormrod, Rob Farrington, Seb Haggett, the children and staff of Bere Regis Primary School. Production: Dani Wilson

Join us as we hear from Daisy Meadowcroft and Jim White as they chat about the history of Kingcombe and what makes it such a special place. VISIT KINGCOMBE Find out more about Kingcombe National Nature Reserve https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/kingcombevisitorcentre SUPPORT US Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member STAY CONNECTED Join our mailing list https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup FIND US Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/ Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/ You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@DorsetWildlifeTrust With special thanks to Daisy Meadowcroft, Jim White and Hazel Ormrod Production: Dani Wilson