UK Conservation Charities

UK Conservation Charities 

This is obviously not an exclusive list and I will keep adding to it.  Apart from anything else, it doesn't cover species specific conservation charities - you can find specific species conservation charities here. 

Have you seen the UK State of Nature Report 2023?  Nature needs all the hands she can get to help her - read the report here

CPRE The Campaign for Rural England campaigns for a beautiful and living countryside and to ensure the countryside is protected for now and future generations.

The Conservation Volunteers works across the UK to create healthier and happier communities for everyone. It does this by connecting people and green spaces to deliver lasting outcomes for both.

Marine Conservation Society champions the need for marine wildlife protection, sustainable fisheries and clean seas and beaches

National Trust for Scotland - protects habitats such as coastlines and cliffs, ancient trees, scrub and wilderness (as well as castles and Scotland's heritage), which all support wildlife such as insects, reptiles, amphibians, the Scottish wildcat, Soay sheep, pine martens, otters, the tiny St Kilda field mouse, red squirrels and seabirds, stags and golden eagles.  

National Trust  looks after coastline, forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, nature reserves, villages, historic houses, gardens, mills and pubs. It restores them, protects them and opens them up - and also works to protect wildlife

Canal and River Trust - Our canals and rivers bring nature right into the heart of our cities. They connect a number of habitats for precious and endangered species and , amongst other things, their environment experts are dedicated to developing and caring for this wildlife superhighway

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation - DSWF undertakes ground-based conservation support, rapid response to wildlife emergencies and undercover cross-border investigations, as well as global education.  It is well known for its Wildlife Artist of the Year competition and you can buy art online from DSWF to help support its conservation work.  It works in 17 countries, including the UK. 

Freshwater Habitats Trust - it's am is to protect freshwater life for everyone to enjoy. Our vision is that all threatened freshwater plants and animals have recovered ...

John Muir Trust is a conservation charity dedicated to the experience, protection and repair of wild places.

Naturehood is a project working to reverse wildlife decline.  The charity Earthwatch works with communities to establish Naturehoods: focused areas where people work together to support local wildlife.  Find out more here

People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) works to improve the outlook of endangered species in Britain and throughout the world.  PTES invests in research and test the best ways to protect endangered species in their natural habitats. Then it puts what works into action, creating vibrant wildlife havens.

Plantlife  Plantlife works nationally and internationally to raise the profile, celebrate the beauty, and to protect the future of open spaces, including roadside verges.

Rewildling Britain aims to tackle the climate emergency and extinction crisis, reconnect people with the natural world, and help individuals and communities thrive with new opportunities.

Restore Our Planet - this started life as Restore UK and it's a grant-making charity to invest in the protection and restoration of Britain’s natural habitat.  Since its foundation, its vision has since expanded to incorporate environmental and bio-diversity issues globally. 

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has a number of campaigns and ways to get involved including Greening Great Britain

The RSPB works on species recovery and large-scale conservation, to policy-influencing and inspiring change or action.  You may have seen their "Give wildlife a home and they will come" adverts on the TV.  

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels  is a project to stop the decline of Scotland’s core red squirrel populations. 

Trees for Life works to rewild the Scottish Highlands

The Wildlife Trusts care for 2,300 diverse and beautiful nature reserves, from remote woods and rivers to inner city nature parks.  It also runs marine conservation projects around the coast and campaign for protection of our seas.  There are 46 Wildlife Trusts around the UK, including the island of Alderney, and you can find your local Wildlife Trust here.

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust - WWT works across the UK and the world to save wetlands for wildlife and people

Woodland Trust has over 500,000 members/supporters with over 1,000 sites covering over 26,000 hectares in the UK.  It protects and campaigns for the UK's woods, plants trees and restores ancient woodland for the benefit of wildlife and people. 

Charities working to help conservation overseas 

A quick note about this.  Many of the charities above work with international charities - nature doesn't do boundaries.

Cool Earth works alongside indigenous villages to halt rainforest destruction. 

Rainforest Foundation UK aims to support indigenous peoples and traditional populations of the world's rainforests in their efforts to protect the environment and to fulfil their rights to land, livelihood and life.

World Land Trust is an international conservation charity, which protects the world’s most biologically important and threatened habitats acre by acre. Since its foundation in 1989, WLT has funded partner organisations around the world to create reserves, and give permanent protection to habitats and wildlife.