Dorset Wildlife Trust

Notable former chairs include Prof. Nigel Webb, one of the UK's leading experts on heathlands and author of Collins New Naturalist No.

72 Heathlands, and Tony Bates, who was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2015[1] for his outstanding contribution to nature conservation in Dorset.

The Chief Executive of Dorset Wildlife Trust is Brian Bleese who was appointed on 1 April 2020 after a short period as acting CE.

They are involved in monitoring and improving habitats for wildlife not only in the open countryside, rivers and coastal waters but also in urban and suburban environments, churchyards, and roadside verges.

DWT has also taken a lead role in drawing together partnerships to establish Nature Parks, large areas managed for the benefit of people and wildlife.

The inaugural meeting of the new trust was held on Tuesday 28 March 1961 and chaired by leading Dorset naturalist and historian[3] Prof. Ronald Good.

The trust runs 45 nature reserves totalling over 12 square kilometres, which include 25 Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

The wide variety of landscapes includes chalk grasslands, ancient meadows, prime woodland, internationally important rare heathland, valuable wetlands, and a section of the World Heritage listed Jurassic Coast.

[6] Following consultation with Dorset Wildlife Trust members and the local community the site was renamed 'Wild Woodbury' to reflect the area's history and future aspirations.

During its development phase the project expanded to include a three-year access and engagement programme and a suite of sites owned and managed by partners.

DWT describes Nature Parks as a partnership of landowners and stakeholders that have come together to manage an area for its special features and its value to both people and wildlife.