About Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Short eared owl © Gareth Rees
About us
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK. With the invaluable support of volunteers and members we manage over 50 nature reserves. We also work with other organisations and landowners to protect and connect wildlife sites across the county and inspire local communities and young people to care for wildlife where they live.
Our Vision for a Wilder Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Find out more about our plan for nature’s recovery
Our vision for a wilder future is beautiful and vital:
We want great places to live that are good for people and good for wildlife.
We want nature to be normal, for children to grow up with wild green spaces to explore.
We want a deafening din, a cacophony of chiping, churring and buzzing.
This county’s natural diversity is possibly unsurpassed in the UK, and when you add the unspoiled habitats of the Isle of Wight you have an internationally important assemblage of wildlife. Some of these sights are almost unique, notably our chalk streams and sandy lowland heaths.
And importantly, most of these places are accessible to us all, in the fantastic collection of nature reserves managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
More about us
We make space for wildlife
Today we look after more than 50 nature reserves and other land, creating a growing network of wildlife havens across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
We bring wildlife back from the brink
Despite national declines, our work is improving the fortunes of important species like Duke of Burgundy butterfly, water vole and avocet.
We stand up for wildlife
We are the voice for wildlife and wild places with government, local authorities and others. We use our experience, evidence and expertise to help to shape decisions and get the best results for wildlife.
We connect people and wildlife.
We offer hundreds of events, activities and classes throughout the year - giving people of all ages the chance to experience and learn about our incredible natural treasures.
News about our work
FatFace Foundation and Havant Climate Alliance support a Wilder Solent
Havant Borough’s Great Big Green Week may be over but thanks to organisers, Havant Climate Alliance, the celebrations continue for…
Isle of Wight receives first marine wildlife mural by renowned street artist ATM
The mural is one of two that will be painted on the island as part of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s marine project,…
Notice of footpath restoration works in Alresford
Alresford's beautiful chalk stream is well-loved by its community, but bank erosion is posing problems for people and wildlife…
Read our latest blogs
Councillors vote to 'pause and rethink' Tipner West
Last Wednesday afternoon, Portsmouth’s councillors overwhelmingly voted to 'pause and rethink' plans for Tipner West.
How are the climate and nature emergencies linked?
As the world’s governments prepare to head to Glasgow for COP26, the global climate summit, to discuss global action to tackle the…
Waste of Space case study: Derby Road
On Derby Road in North End, Portsmouth, local residents identified empty planters, that were once presumably filled with plants, but had…