An ancient woodland that is rich in mosses and ferns, Hanley Dingle is reminiscent of a rainforest and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The land next to it will allow the plants and animals to extend their range, buffering them from the effects of climate change and helping to protect the site into the future.

Mike Perry, Chief Executive Officer of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, explained “We would like to thank more than a thousand generous individuals, private trusts and businesses that have donated to our fundraising appeal.

“We couldn’t have done this without Severn Waste Services, The Saintbury Trust or The Rowlands Trust. Individual donors and The Reed Foundation generously match-funded nearly £19,000 of donations in December’s Big Give Christmas Challenge, giving the fundraising a £37,699 boost.

“We’d also like to thank our supporters who are sadly no longer with us but whose gifts in their wills have enabled us to buy this important piece of land.

“Hanley Dingle is a truly special place. It’s situated in a ravine in the Teme Valley, not far from Tenbury Wells, so is very difficult to access or manage; this has resulted in a true haven for wildlife, with very little disturbance from people.

“The nature of the site means that this is the closest we’ll get in Worcestershire to the temperate rainforests that are found further west, on the coasts of Scotland, Wales, Devon and Cornwall.

“Once the purchase of the land has gone through, we can start to plant trees, create ponds and allow natural regeneration to take hold. This is a long-term project to allow wildlife to thrive well into the future.”

The Trust plan to create a mosaic of new habitats on the 16 hectares, connecting Hanley Dingle to the Shortwood Brook. Along with creating meadows and glades, the Trust will plant large- and small-leaved lime, oak, field maple and wild service trees in order to extend the woodland.

In addition, ponds will be created in naturally wetter areas. The diverse habitats will be essential for supporting a wide array of wildlife from butterflies and birds to amphibians and dragonflies.

Mike added “This is part of our goal to see 30% of land managed to better protect nature by 2030. With one in six species at risk of extinction in the UK, it’s vital that we do all we can to protect and connect places in our landscape to help wildlife return and thrive.”