Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust would like to sincerely thank the Friends of Testwood Lakes, local volunteers, supporters, plus dedicated staff and all those who gave up their time to help clear up after a weekend of antisocial behaviour at Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve. Their efforts in collecting and removing rubbish from across the site have been instrumental in protecting wildlife and restoring the reserve.  

The Trust is also deeply grateful to the many visitors who continue to treat Testwood Lakes with care and respect. Their appreciation for the natural world helps maintain the reserve as a safe and peaceful space for wildlife and people alike.  

Unfortunately, the weekend also brought a sharp reminder of the growing challenges faced by the site. Large amounts of rubbish were dumped across paths, along the lakeshore, and in sensitive wildlife areas – the result of littering, vandalism, and other irresponsible behaviour.

This monumental cleanup effort was made possible by the Friends of Testwood Lakes, a devoted local volunteer group that supports the reserve through ongoing conservation work, maintenance and public engagement. 

Karen Kingston, Visitor Engagement Manager at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “It’s heartbreaking to see this level of disrespect for nature. One careless act - one bottle tossed in a hedge, a takeaway bag blown into a wildflower meadow or a can thrown into a reedbed - can undo months of careful conservation work.  

“We’re so grateful to our volunteers, supporters and staff, but this isn’t a problem they should have to clean up. Their commitment is nothing short of heroic and their swift response has helped shield local wildlife from further harm.” 

Testwood Lakes supports a wide range of species and habitats, including birds, mammals, amphibians and insects - all of which are vulnerable to littering and human disturbance.  

Habitat and wildlife at risk: 

• Habitat damage: Drinks containers and food wrappers in wildflower meadows and woodland margins can smother plants and suppress plant growth.

   

• Injure animals: Broken glass and metal cans pose a serious risk to mammals and insects.

   

• Aquatic pollution: Plastic, bottles and cans left near the water’s edge often end up in the lakes, where they degrade water quality and endanger fish, amphibians and invertebrates.

   

• Harm birds and nesting sites: Ground-nesting birds can become entangled in waste or abandon their nests if disturbed by dogs or people straying from paths. 

   

Karen added: “Wildlife doesn’t understand human rubbish. A fox can’t tell that a discarded takeaway box isn’t food. A toad doesn’t know that plastic netting can trap it. A blackcap can’t spot the difference between nesting material and shredded plastic. And a dragonfly nymph emerging from the water doesn’t understand why its reed bed is tangled with bottles and straws. Every bit of waste left behind is a hazard disguised as harmless.” 

When visiting nature reserves, the Trust is urging all visitors to: 

• Clean up after themselves and others
• Take their rubbish home
• Stick to marked trails
• Keep dogs on leads
• Report any concerning behaviour to staff or call the Trust on: 01489 774400 

“Nature reserves like Testwood Lakes are vital refuges for wildlife and for people seeking to connect with nature. But that balance only works when visitors recognise they’re stepping into something special.” added Karen. 

“It only takes a moment to do the right thing - and doing so gives wildlife a real helping hand. A little care goes a long way.” 

Those interested in doing more can join local volunteering efforts or become a member, which supports the wider work of the Trust in protecting Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s wildlife