Conservation projects and specialist groups in Cornwall

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust employs professional staff as well as supporting literally hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Many of the projects mentioned below present opportunities for people living in Cornwall to get involved in conserving Cornwall's wildlife and wild places.

Wildlife - wild places - projects - getting involved

Conserving Cornwall's wildlife

• Botanical Cornwall Group - an independent group whose primary purpose is to co-ordinate botanical recording.
• Celebrating Cornwall's Mammals from dormice to dolphins!
• Caradon Field & Natural History Club - studying and recording group for all wildlife within the boundaries of the Caradon District of Cornwall.
• Cornwall Bat Group - a Cornwall WIldlife Trust group of volunteers involved with surveying and recording bats as well as giving help and advice.
• Cornwall Bat Hospital - a facility assisted by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust to help injured bats and give specialist care.
• Cornwall Dolphin Group - a Cornwall Wildlife Trust group of volunteers involved with a whole range of dolphin-related activities including by-catch and pollution issues.
• Cornwall Mammal Group - an independent group of volunteers helping to raise awareness of mammals in Cornwall.
• Cornwall Moth Group - an independent group supported by the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Cornwall Butterfly Conservation.
• Cornwall Otter Group - a Cornwall Wildlife Trust group of volunteers striving to raise awareness  and give help and advice which will help otters. 
• Cornwall Reptile and Amphibian Group - a Cornwall WIldlife Trust group of volunteers aiming to gain protection for this much misunderstood group of animals.
• Cornwall Seal Group - a Cornwall WIldlife Trust group of volunteers investigating seal behaviour.
• Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS) - one of the most eminent Local Record Centres in Great Britain.
• Guild of Cornish Hedgers - continuing the ancient craft of hedge laying in Cornwall.
• Launceston Area Parish-Wildlife Group (LAPWG) - works through parish-based teams, to provide learning opportunities in wildlife observation and monitoring as well as to improve social links within and between rurally isolated communities.
• Seaquest South-West - Cornwall and Devon Wildlife Trusts jointly run this project for people who are interested in the larger marine creatures. 
• Seasearch - a volunteer underwater seabed surveying project for recreational divers.
• Water for Wildlife - protecting and enhancing our wetlands for the future.
• Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre - Britain's first ever Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre, in partnership with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

Conserving Cornwall's wild places

• Churchtown Farm - a community nature reserve leased to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust on a long-term basis.
• Cornwall Wildlife Trust nature reserves - the Trust owns or manages many important wildlife sites throughout Cornwall. 
• Cornwall RIGS Group - a Cornwall WiIdlife Trust group of volunteers aiming to identify and conserve important geological sites.
• Living Churchyards Project - a partnership between Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the Diocese of Truro.
• The Wildlife Trusts' Conservation Plan - the national conservation plan directs the work of all Wildlife Trusts,  aiming to achieve the greatest benefit to wildlife on a local, regional and national scale.
• Helford Voluntary Marine Conservation Group - a voluntary organisation working to safeguard the marine life of the Helford River.

Other conservation projects

• Charcoal project - part of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust's woodland management work.
• National Biodiversity Network Trust - a network of local and national data collection and management across the United Kingdom. 
• National Moth Night - organised by enthusiasts to bring these fascinating beasties into the public eye. 
• Parish Wildlife - part of a major survey project designed to support wildlife conservation in the Launceston area.

Getting involved in conservation

• Send us your records - wildlife in Cornwall is very under-recorded, so send us your records to help us build a better picture of the wildlife in our county. 
• Join your local group - local groups are an integral part of the Trust's decision-making structure.
• Practical Action on Reserves - Cornwall Wildlife Trust relies heavily on volunteer assistance for practical work on our nature reserves.
• Bodyline - Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre, Chacewater, needs volunteers to collect and deliver small bodies to Chacewater or Truro.

Projects .... Bat Conservation Bodyline CRAG Dolphin Group Geology Mammal Group Otter Group PARC Seaquest Seasearch Seal Group Water for Wildlife VIC SEARCH . . . . . . . . .