Our nature reserves
Cornwall Wildlife Trust owns or manages 55 nature reserves covering over 5000 acres (2000 hectares), in which examples of each of Cornwall's habitats give refuge to nationally rare and endangered species. Click on a nature reserve name to find out more about it. Nature reserve locations are shown on the map.
Take a virtual tour of some of our finest nature reserves:
From the very outset of the Trust in the early 1960s, ownership of land for the protection of wildlife was seen as paramount.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust has acquired land to conserve important biological and geological features. Threats to these include agricultural improvements, afforestation and development.
It is not enough to put a boundary on a map and say this is a nature reserve. Wildlife does not respect these boundaries and it is important to understand that looking after wildlife in our gardens, on the farm, on road verges or in our sea is all part of the process. Cornwall Wildlife Trust‘s reserves do guarantee the survival of certain features, habitats and species but this does not work in isolation. Every effort is made to integrate the management of nature reserves into the living landscape where, for example, local farmers provide grazing, or communities adopt their nearest reserve and help make the decisions in how we manage them.
The Trust is keen for people to visit these nature reserves provided the wildlife value of the sites can be protected. The Trust offers free access to everyone to the majority of its nature reserves throughout Cornwall. Facilities such as nature trails, interpretation boards, information leaflets and reserve signs are provided, where possible, to increase visitor enjoyment and understanding of the importance of the site. The nature reserves are managed by volunteer wardens, employed staff and volunteer groups.
