Temperate rainforests are characterised by their cool, moist climates and are home to diverse plant and animal life. These ecosystems are incredibly rich in biodiversity, providing habitats for species that thrive in humid conditions. The mosses, ferns, liverworts and lichens found here are crucial for the health of the forest, contributing to nutrient cycling and water retention. Protecting and expanding these rainforests is essential for preserving their unique ecological functions and the diverse array of species they support.

Our restoration plans for the new land reflect an understanding of the ecological importance of woodlands and the urgent need to preserve and extend these vital habitats. Most of the new land will transition into woodland, with the planting of large- and small-leaved lime trees intermixed with oak, field maple and wild service trees. This new woodland creation will bridge the northern edges of Hanley Dingle to the willow-lined banks of Shortwood Brook in the south.

Currently under cultivation, the four fields stretching from north to south present a remarkable opportunity. We have a chance not only to buffer and expand Hanley Dingle but to also to create a mosaic of new habitats, including high forest patches, open woodlands, meadows, glades and scrublands. These diverse habitats are essential for supporting a wide array of wildlife from butterflies and birds to amphibians and dragonflies.

Large- and small-leaved lime trees: emblematic of Hanley Dingle, these ancient trees support a unique ecosystem, providing habitat for numerous species of insects, birds and fungi.

White admiral butterfly: these striking butterflies will benefit from the creation of open woodlands with glades and rides, finding nectar sources and breeding grounds.

Woodland birds: blackcaps, chiffchaffs and garden warblers will benefit from the creation of open woodlands with glades and rides, finding nesting sites, insects for food and suitable habitats for breeding.

Land caddisfly: known for their unusual land-based lifecycle, this rare species will find a more stable habitat in the expanded reserve, helping to preserve their population.

The landmark State of Nature 2023 report shows that nature is continuing to decline at an alarming rate across the UK, which is already one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Worcestershire Wildlife Trust has worked tirelessly since we were formed over 55 years ago to protect important sites for wildlife. We now own or manage over 3,100 acres of land and provide advice to land managers across a further 100,000 acres. To reverse the decline in nature, we must do more by acquiring, protecting and restoring land for wildlife.

In line with our commitment to preserving 30% of land for nature by 2030, the Trust is actively raising funds for the acquisition of land next to the nationally important Hanley Dingle nature reserve. Acquiring the adjacent land offers a rare opportunity to extend and safeguard Hanley Dingle for generations to come.