Suffolk Wildlife Trust launch crowdfunding appeal

As the Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Lackford Lakes nature reserve turns 30 this month, the conservation charity is asking for funding help to buy 77 acres of land adjacent to the site.

The Trust hopes to raise £200,000 towards the price through the public appeal. The purchase will allow the organisation to safeguard a place where rare species such as Eurasian Stone-curlew – Amber-listed as a Bird of Conservation Concern in the UK – have been breeding. The wetland edge of the new land alongside the River Lark also provides important habitat for Common Nightingale, a Red-listed species.

Julian Roughton, Chief Executive of Suffolk Wildlife Trust, said: “Our nature reserves are more important than ever, and the larger they are, the better for wildlife. Large sites and networks of habitat are better able to support viable populations of species and are less affected by impacts from surrounding land.”

A view looking over the new land towards St Lawrence Church, Lackford (Suffolk Wildlife Trust).

Bernard Tickner, Vice President of the Trust, who was recently awarded an MBE for his services to nature and conservation, founded Lackford Lakes nature reserve 30 years ago. In 1987 he bought part of an old quarry, known as the Slough and gifted it to the Trust, initiating the transformation of the used quarry into a rich wildlife habitat.

He commented: “Lackford Lakes is now enjoyed by many species, rare and common, and the Trust has a remarkable chance to create even more first-class habitat to allow even more wildlife to move in. What a way to mark the 30th anniversary of the nature reserve. I have pledged my support and I sincerely hope you will too.”

You can pledge your support via Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Just Giving page.