We are a local charity supported by people who care about protecting wildlife, including over 22,000 members.
- We are the leading authority on wildlife conservation in Hertfordshire and Middlesex
- With volunteers, we manage a network of more than 40 nature reserves, covering nearly 2,000 acres. Beyond this our vision is of a living landscape, where we work with others to improve our towns and countryside for wildlife
- There are 47 Wildlife Trusts across the UK: we are the only charities working to protect the full range of UK wildlife and habitats at a local level
For all media enquiries contact Sarah Buckingham, Communications Officer 01727 858901 ext 228
High speed rail will destroy nature reserve
10 January 2012
The proposed high speed rail route between London and Birmingham which has been given the go ahead by Transport Secretary Justine Greening today will devastate habitats and wildlife in the Denham/Harefield area, warn Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
High Speed 2 (HS2) will run through the Colne Valley, ripping through the Trust’s Broadwater Lake Nature Reserve.
Cull decision is shot in the dark
14 December 2011
The Wildlife Trusts today express disappointment and regret in advance of the government’s expected decision to press ahead with a cull of badgers in pilot areas in England.
The Wildlife Trusts call on the government to put biosecurity and vaccination at the centre of efforts to tackle this disease and avoid wasting more time and money on a badger cull.
The Trusts are urging the public to write to their MPs - download a template letter from The Wildlife Trusts' website here
New year, new plans for your garden...
13 December 2011
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and The Wildlife Trusts are reminding people to remember wildlife when making New Year’s resolutions for 2012. Wildlife conservation in gardens is becoming increasingly important as more and more species are becoming endangered.
There are many easy and affordable ways in which to support nature in the UK. From budding city gardeners with limited outdoor space, to those with expansive lawns, New Year is a superb time to begin planning how to support wildlife and making green spaces more wildlife-friendly.
State investment in forests vital for wellbeing
8 December 2011
The Independent Forestry Panel must bust the Treasury myth about the Public Forest Estate and shout about the value of nature.
As the Forestry Panel launched its interim report today, The Wildlife Trusts look to the Panel to explain to the government the true value of our woodlands and to ‘bust the myth’ that the Public Forest Estate is a burden on the state.
“If the Budget recognised the full range and scale of benefits our natural environment provided there would be no question of the Treasury pressing for forest sales, or reducing the investment it made in the Public Forest Estate. We have to bust this myth once and for all,” said Paul Wilkinson, Head of Living Landscape for The Wildlife Trusts.
St Albans pic wins Trust photo comp
18 October 2011
A stunning photo of a heron catching a brown trout on the River Ver in St Albans won top prize in Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust’s 2011 photo competition.
Ben Andrew, 28, is a keen amateur photographer and has been capturing the natural world through a lens since 2007. He often visits St Albans in pursuit of local wildlife spectacles, and certainly hit the jackpot this time.
Design a wildlife welly for the Big Draw
6 October 2011
St Albans-based Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust are inviting local children to enter a free, fun ‘design a wildlife welly’ competition as part of The Big Draw, the national campaign for drawing which runs throughout October.
Anyone between the ages of 5 and 15 can take part. Winners will receive a family ticket to an exclusive Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust Badger Watching evening with special guest and badger expert, Michael Clark.
Roadside mini-meadows will encourage wildlife to Stevenage
11 July 2011
Grass will be encouraged to grow long on some roadside verges by Stevenage Borough Council and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust this summer, as part of a trial to help the town’s wildlife to thrive.
Longer grass will allow native wildflowers to bloom over the next few weeks and set their seeds.
Insects such as butterflies and bees will be helped too, which in turn benefits birds that feed on them.
Woodland restoration project made possible with lottery award
5 July 2011
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust are embarking on a huge project to restore and raise awareness of woodlands in South Hertfordshire, backed by a grant of £420,000 from Heritage Lottery Fund.
The three-year Woodlands for People and Wildlife project starts in September and will focus on Gobions Wood and Fir and Pond Woods Nature Reserves near Potters Bar and Balls Wood Nature Reserve near Hertford.
A new era for nature conservation?
6 June 2011
The Natural Environment White Paper will be launched tomorrow and is critical in setting a new direction for nature conservation.
The Wildlife Trusts have pushed for the government to take leadership and make the natural environment a priority. One in which the connections between a healthy natural environment, healthier people and a healthier economy are recognised.
Read more at http://www.playyourpart4nature.org.uk
Funding for urgent orchard repairs secured
17 May 2011
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust has been granted £50,000 to carry out urgent restoration work at a traditional orchard in Tewin.
The one year project, which is funded by Biffaward and East Herts District Council, will restore rare local varieties of fruit trees and protect and enhance the diversity of wildlife at Tewin Orchard Nature Reserve near Welwyn.
Put a spring in your step!
12 April 2011
Bluebells are just starting to put on a dazzling display at woodland nature reserves across Hertfordshire.
Blooming from the beginning of April, bluebells thrive in the coppiced woodland nature reserves managed by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
Discover these beautiful displays of spring flowers by joining one of the Trust’s guided bluebell and spring walks.
National charities challenge government to get HS2 on right lines
7 April 2011
A powerful alliance of respected organisations including The Wildlife Trusts, Friends of the Earth, RSPB, Campaign to Protect Rural England and Greenpeace UK has agreed a Charter that will hold the Government to account on its approach to High Speed Rail.
The Right Lines Charter, published today, sets out four core principles ‘for doing High Speed Rail well’.
What you can do about HS2
More protection for nature as Trust moves into new era
25 February 2011
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust will be able to offer even more protection to Hertfordshire’s wildlife after acquiring Thorley Wash from the Environment Agency, a 40 acre site just south of Bishop’s Stortford.
The Trust has also just secured a long lease on Waterford Heath near Hertford.
The good news comes as the Trust moves into a new era, with the appointment of Jane Durney as Chief Executive. She takes the role on from Judy Adams, who has retired after 11 years.
Quick fix forest sale must not threaten our natural heritage
3 February 2011
Commenting on the consultation into the sale of publicly-owned forests, a high proportion of which have wildlife value, The Wildlife Trusts urge the Government to recognise the practicalities and realities of securing the long-term protection of England’s forests for the future.
The transfer of ownership of these forests away from the Forestry Commission presents a real risk to the future of our natural heritage. Nature’s recovery is a key objective of the imminent Natural Environment White Paper – this could be a barrier to achieving that.
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said: “The long-term history of commercial forestry in England has not been a proud one for nature. Let’s ensure that the imperative for a quick fix sale does not take us back to an earlier era where wildlife suffered at the hands of inappropriate forestry.”
Tree-mendous effort for nature's future
3 December 2010
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust teamed up with local environmental groups for a massive tree planting effort at Balls Wood Nature Reserve in Hertford Heath last week.
The Trust is aiming to attract the exotic purple emperor butterfly and adorable dormouse to Balls Wood, through the planting of 250 native hazels and willows.
The trees will benefit local wildlife and offset carbon at the same time.
Top five wild christmas gifts
10 November 2010
Get inspired with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust’s wild gift guide this Christmas!
Choose from a range of books, sponsorship opportunities and fantastic membership packages... and help protect local wildlife this winter.
Play your part in nature's recovery
19 October 2010
Hertfordshire and Middlesex residents are being encouraged to tell the government how important nature is to them, as politicians start to contemplate what could be the most important legislation on the subject for decades. The Natural Environment White Paper will be published next spring - the public consultation ends Saturday 30 October. Make sure your voice is heard!
Wear your wellies for wildlife!
19 October 2010
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust are inviting local people to go welly mad this autumn to help raise money for wildlife.
Get your wellies on in the workplace! How about awarding the best welly wearer a prize in your office? If you like baking, think about a welly-themed cake sale. Or how about taking a sponsored welly walk?
Local schoolchildren are getting involved in the fun too by entering our Design a Wildlife Welly competition – anyone between the ages of 5 and 15 can take part.
Public consultation on bovine TB launched
15 September 2010 
The Wildlife Trusts are concerned that proposals by the Government for badger culling in England’s bovine tuberculosis (bTB) hotspots will not help control the spread of the disease to cattle.
Agriculture Minister Jim Paice has unveiled a range of measures for consultation today, following the coalition government’s pledge to introduce a ‘science-led policy of badger control in areas with high and persistent levels of bovine tuberculosis.’ Earlier this year he confirmed the Government was looking at a range of measures, including culling and badger vaccination, to control the spread of the disease to cattle.
The Wildlife Trusts acknowledge bTB is a significant problem that causes hardship for many in the farming community. There is no single solution to this disease but any approach must take account of ecological as well as veterinary science. It should be tackled on many fronts: vaccination of badgers, cattle controls and improved biosecurity on farms. The rationale for any cull of native species needs to be extremely clear and well proven.
We are concerned the scientific evidence does not support the culling of badgers as part of that solution. It could even make matters worse by disturbing the remaining badgers, so spreading the disease further. The Wildlife Trusts are willing to work with the farming community and others to confront this disease in a science-led and constructive way.
Respond to the consultation before 8 December and tell the government why a cull isn't the answer
New hide is twice as nice!
10 September 2010
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust celebrated the opening of a brand new ‘double decker’ wildlife-watching hide at Tewinbury Nature Reserve on Monday 13th September which makes watching wetland animals as easy as pie. Visitors will get fantastic views down over the lagoon on the top level of the two storey hide. The lower storey also has great views and is fully accessible. With parking at Tewin Bury Farm Hotel a very short walk away, the reserve provides easy access to wildlife for visitors of all abilities.
Funding boost for wildlife havens
25 August 2010
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust has won the support of the Colin Reid Countryside Trust in helping to protect wildlife havens in East Hertfordshire that are in need of urgent restoration work.
Otters, water voles and dragonflies will be amongst the animals helped at King’s Meads Nature Reserve in Ware and Rye Meads Nature Reserve near Hoddesdon.
Purwell purchase protects furry friends
23 August 2010
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust has secured a future for endangered mammals in Hitchin with the purchase of Purwell Ninesprings Nature Reserve. Water voles and otters will be amongst the animals protected by the acquisition.
Alison O’Dea, Wetlands for Water Voles and People Project Manager, said: “We have managed Purwell Ninesprings Nature Reserve for the last thirty years so it was wonderful to acquire the site from the Flint family recently. This is the best site in North Herts for water voles."
Support for wildlife deep-rooted
23 August 2010
Local tree management company Gristwood and Toms has given its support to wildlife conservation by joining the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT) this summer.
The company is no stranger to local wildlife - they manage their very own piece of nature in their back yard! With a plot of about 17 acres in Shenley, Hertfordshire they have enough room for offices, workshops, vehicles, tree nurseries and a recycling centre, where all their waste is brought back before being processed for the production of ‘green energy’. They leave ten acres of the site free for wildlife to roam around in, with bee hives, two wildlife ponds, and an area of native woodland.
A new era for restoring the natural environment
26 July 2010
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman called on the public to help shape the government's policy on the natural environment today. The resulting White Paper will be DEFRA's first on the subject in 20 years.
Collectively, the Wildlife Trusts have suggested a framework for the Natural Environment White Paper - an ambitious vision of living landscapes, with habitats for wildlife restored and reconnected across the UK, on land and in the sea.
Speaking about the potential for positive change, The Wildlife Trusts' Chief Executive Stephanie Hilborne said: “The Wildlife Trusts believe the time is now for the Government to help society achieve its ambitions for nature by taking a look at the legislation, policies and funding mechanisms needed to restore wildlife on a landscape-scale and in our seas.
“Nature is not a luxury. With the UK facing unprecedented economic uncertainty and pressures for energy generation, food production and housing, there is a risk we overlook the very basis of our economy and our society; the natural environment upon which this all depends.”
More on the Wildlife Trusts' vision for the White Paper
An invitation to shape the Nature of England - DEFRA's website
The wild side of Ware
26 July 2010
Join Herts and Middlesex Trust and discover the wild side of Ware this August!
A new exhibition has just opened at Ware Museum to celebrate the abundance of local wildlife at King’s Meads Nature Reserve and surrounding areas.
Combined with this we are giving local people the opportunity to get out and about and see wildlife first hand on two special guided walks leaving from the museum on Thursday 19 and Saturday 28 August.
Take a look around the interactive exhibition first though! Have a go at identifying the wildlife footprints, ‘find the face’ in the exhibition and listen to night time wildlife noises to see which animals you can identify.
Pint-sized butterfly beats extinction
23 June 2010
Britain's tiniest butterfly, the small blue, has made big news by returning to Hertfordshire after being extinct in the county for eight years.
This dinky delight, which is barely bigger than a five pence piece, was spotted at Aldbury Nowers Nature Reserve near Tring recently, where Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust have been carefully managing the habitat to encourage butterflies to thrive.
It seems the unassuming little insect decided to put in a special appearance for National Insect Week, which runs until 27 June!
Rock and Vole!
28 May 2010
It’s national Wildlife Week and local children are being invited to give the elusive water vole a musical makeover in Hitchin on Saturday 12 June.
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and community musician Hugh Nankivell will be at Purwell Meadows to help people write songs inspired by water voles and their wetland friends!
Bounty of rare orchids found in Stort Valley
11 May 2010
A survey by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust has found record breaking numbers of a beautiful rare orchid flowering at a nature reserve in the Stort Valley. Thirty six Green-winged Orchids were counted during recent survey work by Trust staff. In Hertfordshire, the orchid is known in only seven places and has suffered a significant decline in the last 50 years.
Ratty returns after 13 year absence6 May 2010
The water vole has set up home once again on the River Beane near Hertford for the first time since 1997, thanks to the efforts of Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and local people.
The Trust's Wetlands for Water Voles and People project, backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, has brought the species back from the brink of extinction in Hertfordshire. Water voles are the fastest declining mammal in the UK, with 90% of the population lost in the last century.
Give Seas a Chance Says Wildlife Trust
27 January 2010
The County’s leading wildlife conservation charity has recently announced its commitment to a national initiative to save wildlife across Britain. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is backing a UK vision to protect wildlife not just on land, but also in our seas - despite being a county lacking coastline of its own.
The UK’s Wildlife Trusts collectively launched their vision for the UK’s marine environment last week at an event in the House of Commons entitled ‘Living Seas’. The event was hosted by Hertfordshire MP (for Broxbourne), Charles Walker, to recognise and celebrate the successful passing in November 2009, of the Marine and Coastal Access Act (MCAA). The Wildlife Trusts have campaigned for nearly a decade to achieve greater protection for marine wildlife and the habitats they depend on and the Act marks and important milestone.
Wildlife Trust Leads the Way with Osprey Recovery Project in Herts
4 November 2009
This week the County's leading wildlife conservation organisation has unveiled its plans to aid the recovery of one of Britain’s most beautiful birds. The work, which has been taking place at HMWT's Stocker’s Lake Nature Reserve, near Rickmansworth, aims to entice ospreys to nest in Hertfordshire.
HMWT has installed a special nesting platform at the nature reserve it manages on behalf on Veolia Water Three Valleys (Veolia Water) as part of a national conservation programme to extend the range of this endangered bird. The 30 foot high nesting platform will imitate the nests the bird uses in the wild, and the aim is that males will spot it on their return from West Africa next spring.
Trust Urges Supporters to Consider the Future
9 October 2009
The County’s leading wildlife conservation organisation is urging people to think about the future for wildlife this week. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust has joined a nationwide initiative, launched by the Wildlife Trusts and working with solicitors throughout the UK, to protect wildlife for future generations.
‘Will for Wildlife Week’ (19th – 26th October) highlights the importance of making or updating a Will – not only to look after loved ones, but also to help protect the UK’s natural heritage for future generations to enjoy. For the remainder of October, local solicitors working in partnership with the Trust, will be offering a discounted Will Writing Service to supporters of Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT).
Boost for Water Voles- and People
23 September 2009
One of Britain’s most endangered mammals has been encouraged to thrive in the Hertfordshire thanks to the County’s leading wildlife conservation organisation. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT) has been carrying out habitat works at its Frogmore Meadows Nature Reserve, near Chenies and Tewinbury Nature Reserve near Welwyn Garden City, to benefit water voles and to make it easier for people to watch them. Both of these projects have been made possible thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Otter at Amwell Nature Reserve
18 September 2009
The County’s leading wildlife conservation organisation has today had confirmation that one of Britain’s most elusive mammals is making good use of one of its a nature reserves in the Lee Valley. A volunteer wildlife recorder for Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT) has reported that he watched an otter swimming in the lake at Amwell Nature Reserve near Stanstead Abbotts.
