The charity aims to raise £240,000 to expand one of its most important wetlands near Bodmin.

The acquisition of Creney Farm, which is almost surrounded by Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Helman Tor nature reserve, is the first step in the charity’s ambitious plans to create the largest nature recovery project in Cornwall.

Callum Deveney, Head of Nature Reserves at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said: “This really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only increase the size of our Helman Tor nature reserve, but to ‘fill in the gap’ so we can create more space for nature.

“Bigger, better and more joined-up nature reserves give wildlife an opportunity to thrive - and that’s exactly what we’re doing here. This land purchase and the ambitious work it will lead to will be transformative for nature in Cornwall, which is crucial given so many species are in decline.”

Research completed in 2020 by the charity, in partnership with Cornwall Council and the University of Exeter, shows nature in Cornwall is in trouble. Over the last 30 years, nearly half of terrestrial mammals and three-fifths of butterflies are found in fewer places. Almost 50% of breeding birds, such as the Buzzard and Yellowhammer, have also declined.

Helman Tor’s mosaic of wetland, woodland and grassland habitats support many rare species. The site is a stronghold for the marsh fritillary, one of Europe’s most endangered butterflies. It is also home to otters, dormice and willow tits – the UK’s most threatened resident bird, having declined 94% since the 1970s.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust is looking at the possibility of reintroducing beavers and large herbivores at Helman Tor in the future – increasing biodiversity while reducing the need for such intensive manual management of the landscape.

Cheryl Marriott, Head of Conservation at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said: “Nature is missing from too much of our countryside but given the chance, it can recover in the most remarkable way. With your help, we now have the chance to transform this site into a wildlife haven, providing a home for some of Cornwall’s most threatened and much-loved species.

“This is the biggest public fundraising challenge we have ever faced, but we can only make this land purchase possible with help from our supporters and people who love nature in Cornwall.”

Cornwall Wildlife Trust wants to ensure at least 30% of Cornwall’s land, rivers and seas are managed well for wildlife by 2030. As well as contributing towards this target, by reconnecting and restoring land for nature’s benefit, the new plot will provide better access to the reserve with a new main entrance and enhanced visitor parking.

Cheryl continues: “If we’re going to hit this target of protecting 30% of Cornwall’s land by 2030, we need bigger nature reserves. We need these rich, special places for wildlife.

“But we can’t do this alone. We want to work with neighbouring farmers and other landowners in the Helman Tor area to support sustainable land management and create corridors through which wildlife can expand.”

The charity – which is celebrating its 60^th anniversary this year – has already raised a significant proportion on the money needed to secure the farmland, with a number of generous legacies providing a significant head start.

A remaining £240,000 is needed urgently through the public appeal, with a philanthropist and Cornwall Wildlife Trust supporter agreeing to match donations pound-for-pound up to £120,000.

Learn more about the appeal