We are the leading voice for wildlife conservation in Hertfordshire and neighbouring areas.
With 43 nature reserves spanning 1,900 acres, from beautiful woodlands and wetlands to rare patches of heath and orchard, we take practical action every day to help wildlife to flourish. The Wildlife Trusts are unique in being the only organisations that work to protect the full range of UK habitats and species, at a local level.
For all media enquiries contact Sarah Buckingham, Communications Officer 01727 858901 ext 228 (out of hours: 07983 759294)
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 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 absence
6 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.
