Caring for nature beyond our nature reserves
Our nature reserves are at the heart of our work, but they are just one part of the story.
Across Hampshire, we care for and manage a range of other important sites that help support wildlife and nature recovery. These landscapes include heathland, woodland, grassland, wetlands and coastal habitats, each playing a vital role in creating bigger, better and more connected spaces for nature.
Many of these sites are managed in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MOD), whose landholdings contain some of Hampshire's most valuable habitats for wildlife. Together, these sites account for around a third of the land managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and support a remarkable range of species and habitats.
Working alongside partners, landowners and local communities, our conservation teams carry out habitat management, species monitoring, grazing programmes and restoration work to ensure these special places continue to thrive.
While these sites are not part of our nature reserve network, they are a vital part of our conservation work and make an important contribution to nature's recovery across Hampshire.
Hawley Common
Managed in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, Hawley Common is a nationally important heathland landscape and one of the many sites we care for beyond our nature reserve network.
Lowland heath is one of the UK's rarest habitats, supporting a rich variety of wildlife. Through grazing and habitat management, we help maintain the mosaic of heathland, grassland and scrub that makes Hawley Common such an important place for nature.
As part of a wider network of heathland habitats across north Hampshire, the site helps create bigger, better and more connected spaces for wildlife.
Sites We Manage Beyond Our Nature Reserves
Heathland, Woodland and Open Habitats
These sites form part of an important network of habitats across north Hampshire, supporting specialist wildlife and helping connect landscapes for nature.
- Bramshot Heath, Fleet
- Caesar's Camp, Aldershot
- Hawley Common, Hawley
- Long Valley, Fleet
- Longmoor Inclosure, Liphook
- Pondtail, Fleet
- Velmead Common, Fleet
- Woolmer Forest, Liphook
- Yateley Common, Yateley
Meadows and Grasslands
Species-rich grasslands provide food and shelter for pollinators, birds and other wildlife.
- Bassetts Mead, Hook
- Foxlease Meadows, Farnborough
- Drews Farm, Finchdean
Wetlands
Wetland habitats support a wide variety of wildlife and play an important role in maintaining healthy landscapes.
- Gelvert Catchment, Fleet
Coastal Habitats
Dynamic coastal environments provide essential habitat for birds and other wildlife.
- Hurst Spit, Keyhaven