Advertise on podcast: Wildlife Matters

Discover Dorset’s precious heathlands and the incredible wildlife they support in this podcast. Wardens Anna Kenny and Phoebe Williams explore how humans have shaped these landscapes over thousands of years reveal how restoration and careful management help endangered plants, reptiles, birds, and insects thrive.

Explore the incredible wildlife and conservation work at The Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre on Portland with Fay and Abi from Dorset Wildlife Trust. From rare birds and marine life to hands-on education and nature-friendly recreation, discover what makes Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon so special. Hear stories from the shore, tips for birdwatching, and how you can get involved in protecting this stunning stretch of the Jurassic Coast.

Nicki from Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Communities team teams up with volunteer coordinator Anna to explore how the Living Churchyards project has transformed churchyards  into thriving wildlife havens. From creating wildflower meadows to hedgehog hideouts to inspiring stories of community action, biodiversity wins, and the challenges overcome. Learn how you can get involved and help turn these historic and sacred spaces into vibrant sanctuaries for nature and people alike.

Nick Gray from Dorset Wildlife Trust is joined by landowner Rob Powell to explore a ground breaking partnership at Hogchester Farm. Learn how local wildflower seed harvesting is reversing the loss of meadows, boosting biodiversity, and inspiring other landowners across West Dorset. From brush harvesters to a visit from Sir David Attenborough, this episode celebrates the power of collaboration, provenance, and passion in bringing wildflower-rich landscapes back to life

Join River Catchment Manager Amanda Broom and Assistant Conservation Officer Hannah Divine as they explore why rivers matter, the threats they face, and how we can all help protect them. From simple home habits to large-scale restoration projects like Dorset Wild Rivers, discover how small actions make a big impact. Tune in, get inspired, and be part of the change for Dorset’s waterways.

In this episode of Wildlife Matters, Rob Farrington and Seb Elwood explore the vital role of water in sustaining Dorset’s rich biodiversity, from chalk streams and wetlands to coastal habitats. They discuss the threats facing these ecosystems—pollution, habitat loss, and climate change—and highlight Dorset Wildlife Trust’s restoration efforts, including the Wild Woodbury success and the work taking place on Winfrith Heath. 

With nature in crisis and the decline in many species especially pollinators, wildlife-friendly gardening in your garden, on your balcony, patio or local green space is a fantastic way for everyone to do something to help wildlife in their patch. Karen Stanberry and Mitch Perkins from the Wilder Communities team offer practical advice and inspiring examples to inspire us all to help wildlife on our doorstep.  https://www.facebook.com/karenstanberrywildlife/

The story of a community coming together to make a difference to wildlife and people. From the churchyard and a rewilding project to the village nature reserve and many wildlife-friendly gardens in between, Bere Regis is a haven for wildlife. This podcast features an engaging conversation between Dorset Wildlife Trust's Wilder Community Manager, Nicki Brunt and ex Dorset Wildlife Trust President and current volunteer, Tony Bates about the Bere Regis community's wild journey. 

In March 2024, Dorset Wildlife Trust acquired 827 acres of land at Lyscombe, north-east of Dorchester. It's the biggest land acquisition in Dorset Wildlife Trust's history and represents an incredible opportunity to make space for nature. So  In this podcast, Steve Jones, Wilder Landscapes Officer and Lyscombe ranger, Ben Atkinson discuss why Dorset Wildlife Trust acquired this site, how it will make more space for nature and what happens next.

It's three years since Dorset Wildlife Trust acquired the 420-acre site at Wild Woodbury, just outside Bere Regis in Dorset. In that time, the incredible Wild Woodbury community rewilding project has seen a remarkable uplift in biodiversity and a transformation of the landscape. Find out about what's been happening on the site and what has been achieved so far. 

Meet the Dorset Wildlife Trust rangers who manage the northern part of Brownsea island for wildlife in partnership with the National Trust and engage with visitors. For its size, Brownsea is one of the most biodiverse sites in England with a species list of 4,900 in total and over 300 bird species recorded. Find out about the birds which make Brownsea Lagoon their home, how Dorset Wildlife Trust manages the area to help wildlife thrive, and what makes the island such a special place for wildlife and people.

Join Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve Managers, Luke and Neil, as they discuss why nature reserves are important and how they provide a sanctuary for wildlife. Find out about the conservation work carried out by our dedicated staff and volunteers to maintain and enhance the habitat to enable so many species to thrive.    Dorset’s wildlife depends on our nature reserves. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please donate to the Nature Reserves Fund - your donation will directly enhance and expand habitats for Dorset's most vulnerable wildlife species. 

The Urban Green project aimed to empower local people to improve their green spaces for the benefit of people and wildlife. Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Communities Officer, Anona Dawson talks to Tessa Nesbit, the rector of St Peter’s Church in Hamworthy to share the story of the transformation of the Bluebell Community Woodland at St Michael’s Church, Hamworthy. Their conversation gives an insight into the project’s incredible impact on this beautiful woodland, its wildlife and the community of neighbours, volunteers and parishioners.   LEARN MORE ABOUT THE URBAN GREEN PROJECT https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/connecting-people-with-nature/urban-green   BECOME A MEMBER Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member   STAY CONNECTED Join our mailing list https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup   FIND US Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/   Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/   Watch our videos on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/user/DorsetWildlifeTrust    GIVE A WILDLIFE GIFT Shop for membership gifts and adoptions https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop   With Thanks to Anona Dawson, Tessa Nesbit  Production: Dani Wilson

What is the power of peat? Peatland is such an important and amazing habitat - it can store carbon, help to tackle climate change, reduce flooding and provides the right conditions for a variety of wildlife. Join Tilly Hudsmith, master's student at Exeter University in conversation with Grace Herve, project manager for the Dorset Peat Partnership about the environmental impact and significance of this collaborative peat project happening right here in Dorset.   SUPPORT THE DORSET PEAT PARTNERSHIP https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/conservation-work-land/dorset-peat-partnership    BECOME A MEMBER Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member   STAY CONNECTED Join our mailing list https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup   FIND US Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/   Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/   Watch our videos on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/user/DorsetWildlifeTrust    GIVE A WILDLIFE GIFT Shop for membership gifts and adoptions https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop   With Thanks to Grace Herve, Tilly Hudsmith  Production: Dani Wilson

Allowing nature to take the lead is the ethos underpinning the rewilding project at Wild Woodbury. Reversing the system of deep ditches built to drain the land was a key part of the vision to rewet the land to create habitat for wildlife and to slow the flow to reduce flood risk - find out how and why Dorset Wildlife Trust has renaturalised the headwaters of the River Sherford across the land and the difference it has made for wildlife and people.   SUPPORT WILD WOODBURY https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/conservation-work-land/wild-woodbury   BECOME A MEMBER Become a member and protect wild spaces in Dorset https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/become-member   STAY CONNECTED Join our mailing list https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/emailsignup   FIND US Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife/   Twitter https://twitter.com/DorsetWildlife   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsetwildlife/   Watch our videos on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/user/DorsetWildlifeTrust   GIVE A WILDLIFE GIFT Shop for membership gifts and adoptions https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop     With Thanks to Rob Farrington, Seb Haggett Production: Dani Wilson