Dog walking on our nature reserves

Dog and man © Katrina Martin / 2020VISION

Dog and man © Katrina Martin / 2020VISION

Dog walking on our nature reserves

We're proud of the fact that many of our nature reserves are beautiful, inviting and attractive to people looking for nice places to walk their four legged friends. Here are some simple ways that you can enjoy walking your dog on our nature reserves whilst preserving their value for wildlife. 
 

  • Take note of the signs and notices

    Wildlife Trust nature reserves have different policies for dog walking and some do not permit dogs. Please look out for the appropriate signs around the reserve or check the reserve webpage before your visit.
     

  • Always pick up after your dog

    Some of our nature reserves have red dog bins, but if you can’t find one please take the waste home with you to dispose of safely or use a nearby litter bin.
     

  • Keep your dog close to you and in sight 

    If your dog is off the lead and out of sight, he or she may be causing disturbance to local wildlife. This can reduce the breeding success of species that we work tirelessly to encourage onto our nature reserves. 
     

  • Be aware of grazing animals

    Many of our sites are managed with the help of grazing animals so please keep your dog on a lead in these areas for your own safety and to avoid distressing the livestock.
     

  • Consider other visitors

    If you see other visitors up ahead, please put your dog on a lead whilst you are walking near them. We manage our nature reserves for the benefit of wildlife and regularly use our sites for educational visits.

We greatly value our supporters' help in setting an example and communicating the importance of sensitive behaviour on our most precious wild places.