Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
We're absolutely delighted that the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust are joining us as one of our charity partners for 2023!
You'll see them running in the event with free spaces (supported by your t-shirt purchases), out on the course cheering you on, and of course doing amazing work locally to help our wildlife!
They look after some fantastic reserves that run right alongside the Half Marathon route, like the incredible Potteric Carr and lots more in the Doncaster area. Take a look where to visit - click here
Our work in Yorkshire
For over 70 years, we have been protecting Yorkshire's wildlife and wild places. We work across land and sea; from hills and valleys, to beaches and city streets. Wherever you are in Yorkshire, you're only approximately 20 miles from one of our nature reserves - wild havens on your doorstep where you can connect with nature.
Yorkshire needs a recovery of wildlife on land and sea and we do four main things:
Save wild places
We manage and restore over 100 nature reserves across Yorkshire and actively work to create new wild areas and wildlife corridors.
Save wildlife
We protect the incredible species that call Yorkshire home, by understanding what they need and creating spaces where they can flourish.
Connect people with nature
We inspire people, especially children, to experience wildlife, and enjoy it.
Protect the environment
We campaign to protect and restore Yorkshire’s irreplaceable natural heritage.
Now more than ever before, we need a society where nature matters. We inspire thousands of children, families and individuals every year; helping them to connect with their local wildlife through events and engagement programmes
Read below to find out how to support...
Wilder Wetlands campaigns
90% OF UK WETLANDS HAVE BEEN LOST, PUTTING WILDLIFE AT RISK.
There's still time to protect Yorkshire's remaining wetlands and threatened creatures, but we need your help!
90% OF UK WETLANDS HAVE BEEN LOST
In our changing climate, wetlands provide refuge for local wildlife and global migratory birds. That’s why it’s devastating to see Yorkshire’s natural network of wetland habitats vanish from our landscape.
Sadly, decades of habitat loss is having shocking effects. As you read this, heavily threatened species like water voles are being forced closer to regional extinction.
This is only the beginning. Each time an urban pool, lake or reed bed is drained, Yorkshire’s network of wetlands becomes smaller and more fragmented – making it harder for threatened species to bounce back.
That’s why our remaining wetlands are in desperate need of protection - otherwise many of the species that you know and love could disappear from Yorkshire altogether.
We know that together we can make a difference, but we need your help. Will you team up with wildlife lovers across the county and help us to protect, restore and reconnect Yorkshire’s wetland habitats?
Will you help to protect Yorkshire's wetland wildlife?
The lifeblood of our natural world
All life on earth needs water for survival - that’s why Yorkshire’s wetlands are the lifeblood of our natural world.
Here are our top four reasons why Yorkshire’s wetlands are so important:
- They are home to wonderful wildlife - Birds including curlew and bittern, plants like greater burnet and southern marsh orchid, seasonal visitors and many other animals like water vole and dragonflies all call wetlands home.
- They deepen our connection with nature - Our wetlands create a sense of wonder. We are naturally drawn to water and enjoy seasonal spectacles; winter starling murmurations, the first swallow of spring and their margins of cool shade in summer.
- They offer protection for communities - When the heavens open our networks of healthy wetlands hold water and slow the flow back into rivers. This becomes more urgent and vital each year as the climate emergency takes hold.
- They give us hope for the future - The climate emergency is already putting pressure on wildlife, with species moving north in search of cooler, wetter climates. Unless we protect and restore wetlands now there will be nowhere for these newcomers to find safe haven in the future. Acting today gives hope for tomorrow
We must act now if we want to protect Yorkshire’s wetland wildlife for generations to come.
Will you support our campaign to protect your favourite wetland species?