Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) is encouraging local people to give back to nature and support the wildlife and wild spaces that have given so much joy in the past year by offering half-price membership.

Those that join the conservation charity this January can take advantage of the offer.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Dorset Wildlife Trust's nature reserves - including Peascombe, Kings Land Orchard, Loscombe, West Bexington and Powerstock Common - have provided essential green space for local residents to enjoy, while providing a safe place for Dorset's huge variety of wildlife.

Despite the year's challenges, conservation work continued throughout to maintain the nature reserves. However, much of the summer and autumn was also spent addressing vandalism, heath fires and fly-tipping on nature reserves. While work to tackle these problems has begun, rehabilitation of these spaces takes time and there is still plenty to do.

Beyond these threats, Dorset's wildlife is also at risk form the effects of climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic, which has prevented volunteer work from taking place for the majority of 2020.

Nancy Taylor, Dorset Wildlife Trust support care officer, said: "In 2021, the importance of nature in our lives has never been clearer. People have reconnected with the natural world on their doorstep, appreciating the positive impact of nature on their wellbeing.

"But our wildlife is disappearing at an alarming rate. Some of our most-loved species are threatened, with 26 per cent of UK mammals in danger of disappearing altogether and hedgehogs, red squirrels, bats, turtle doves, cuckoo, water voles and basking sharks all at risk. But there is hope.

"By becoming a member, you directly contribute to protecting the habitats of endangered species in Dorset.

"Dorset Wildlife Trust's work to care for these places is only possible through the generosity of our members and without them we wouldn't be able to achieve all that we so for wildlife in Dorset."

The offer is valid from January 1 to 31, 2021.

A year's membership starts at £1.75 a month for an individual, £2 a month for joint membership, and £2.25 a month for a family membership.

Individual and joint members receive an exclusive membership magazine, Dorset Wildlife three times a year and a guide to all 42 DWT nature reserves. Family memberships include fur issues of DWT's Wildlife Watch magazine a year, as well as the individual membership benefits.

To sign up, visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org

More information about DWT can be found here.

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