Give a gift to your local nature reserve this Christmas

Send a gift

Durham Wildlife Trust manages 53 nature reserves between the River Tees and the River Tyne. From ancient woodland and heathland to meadows, wetlands and more, the Trust has saved some of the North East’s most special places from destruction.

To help us to continue protecting these vital habitats for wildlife, please donate to Durham Wildlife Trust this Christmas.

Here are some examples of how your donation could help us to manage our reserves:

£20 gift

Plant tree whips

£20 could plant tree whips at one of our nature reserves, helping to capture carbon and protect wildlife.

£50 gift

Care for Exmoor Ponies

£50 could help to fund veterinary care for the Exmoor ponies which graze on our nature reserves.

£100 gift

Provide tools and training

£100 could help to provide tools and training for our volunteer teams who help to manage our reserves.

Our nature reserves provide safe havens for wildlife, in a time when 1 in 6 species in the UK are at risk of extinction.

They are vital habitats for species whose homes are currently diminishing due to agricultural intensity and building development. However, we need your help to conserve these natural spaces.

By donating to our Christmas Appeal, you could help us to save our wild spaces and protect our region's wildlife.

Which nature reserves could receive your gift?

Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve

Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve was created by the restoration of the Rye Hill Opencast coal mine in 1996.

The wetlands and grasslands at Rainton Meadows support a wide range of birds - and over 200 species have been recorded! This reserve provides homes for species such as redshank, oystercatcher and lapwing, each of which are currently at risk.

Low Barns Nature Reserve (SSSI)

Low Barns Nature Reserve (SSSI) was once farmland, which was then used for sand and gravel extraction until 1963. This land was then lovingly restored by Durham Wildlife Trust and is, today, a true haven for wildlife.

The reserve is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest and has become important for wildlife due to the wide range of habitats.

The small ponds on the reserve are excellent for viewing damselflies and dragonflies such as the striking southern hawker, while the lakes and open water support good numbers of wildfowl, including overwintering bittern.

Cuthbert's Moor Nature Reserve (SSSI)

Set at the heart of the Durham Dales on the eastern edge of the North Pennines, Cuthbert’s Moor lies within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and it part of the much larger Teesdale Allotments (SSSI).

This beautiful and very rural reserve is home to bird species including redshank, curlew, golden plover and black grouse, all species which are declining nationally due to changes in land use.

Baal Hill Wood

Baal Hill is a surviving relic of ancient woodland which was owned in the fourteenth century by the Prince Bishops of Durham.

This beautiful semi-natural woodland is perhaps best seen in spring, with bluebells and wild garlic in flower. Bird life is varied with wood warblers, redstarts and pied flycatchers, as well as woodcock and buzzard. Roe deer are also frequently seen throughout the reserve.

Bishop's Fen

Bishop’s Fen is just at the start of its journey to re-discover the wealth of bio-diversity it once supported. Today there is still a lot to see - from flocks of wildfowl and wading birds on the inundated floodplain grasslands to a wealth of wildflower and butterfly and invertebrate life along the well surfaced railway walk.

Centuries ago this area was a rich fenland supporting a rich avifauna including bittern, egrets and cranes, and is documented as a rich hunting ground for the Prince Bishops of Durham.

Hannah's Meadow

Hannah's Meadow Nature Reserve is an upland hay meadow in Teesdale and part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Once owned and farmed by Hannah Hauxwell, who lived alone at Low Birk Hatt Farm without the luxury of electricity and running water, the land was managed for hay and pasture and maintains the rich variety of wildlife that has been lost from many other Teesdale meadows.