Conservation is our mission
We carry out a host of conservation activities across the county with the help of volunteers and the support of members. We look after some of Surrey's most iconic landscapes and protect and restore key habitats and species.
However, despite this good work, biodiversity is in decline and a third of Surrey’s wildlife is now either extinct or heading that way.
Our reserves remain at the heart of our work - after all, they are the oases for nature from which species will be able to recolonise other parts of the county. But this isn’t enough to turn the tide. Working in partnership with other landowners, public bodies, communities, schools and individuals, we are focusing on 3 key areas of the county called ‘Biodiversity Opportunity Areas’ (BOAs) to maximise our impact on the ground.
Biodiversity Opportunity Areas
In Surrey and across the country, nature is becoming increasingly being confined to small fragmented areas with little or no connectivity between them. This is a major reason for wildlife is declining. A third of Surrey’s biodiversity is either locally extinct or heading that way. The cause of this habitat fragmentation is past and present land management as well as decisions about land-use and development, which must all be addressed.
For nature to thrive we need to create a ‘living landscape’ across Surrey. Working in partnership, we are focussing on key areas of the county to maximise our impact on the ground. These are called ‘Biodiversity Opportunity Areas’ or BOAs.
© James Adler
Conservation grazing
We use grazing animals to help manage wild landscapes across Surrey, including our own nature reserves and the land of partner organisations.
© Jon Hawkins
Protected wildlife sites
The sites under our care require careful monitoring and a range of techniques to ensure that they are managed and improved for wildlife. Many have special designations and legal protection.
© James Adler
Nature-based solutions
Nature based solutions (NBS) describe natural responses to challenges including development, climate change, food and water security or emergency risk management (such as flooding).
© andreas160578
Climate emergency
We continue to lose our most precious remnants of wild natural space and vast numbers of our insects and birds. Our existing laws are too weak and the climate and ecological crisis we face is not being taken seriously enough. We need ambitious natural climate solutions that reduce and capture carbon, stop ecosystem destruction and make our towns and cities cleaner and greener.
Conservation projects
We are carrying out a series of conservation projects across the county to protect and restore key species and habitats.
Become a member to continue our work
Nature is in trouble. Please become a member and support our work protecting the wildlife you love in Surrey.