Wildlife Group’s Christmas Appeal Challenges ‘False Narrative’ About Conservation

Published on: 26 Nov, 2025
Updated on: 29 Nov, 2025

The hazel dormouse – in need of support. Picture: Danny Green

Surrey Wildlife Trust is inviting people to dig into their pockets this Christmas to safeguard endangered wildlife and support the environment.

The Trust is strongly challenging the “false narrative” that looking after wildlife puts a block on human progress and economic growth.

For one week, all donations to the Hope for Habitats appeal will be doubled thanks to the Big Give Christmas Challenge.

The Trust hopes to raise £37,500 to restore woodlands, chalk grassland, wetland and heathland across Surrey.

Their ambition is to safeguard rare wildlife including hazel dormice, hedgehogs, small blue butterflies and Barbastelle bats.

The challenge runs from midday on December 2 to midday on December 9,

Surrey Wildlife Trust’s James Herd

Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Director of Reserves Management, James Herd, said: “Everybody knows that our wild places are depleted and under threat, but we don’t think this is a time for pessimism. By backing a positive vision for nature’s restoration this Christmas, you can fight back against the misguided people who claim that protecting nature is a blocker to human health, wealth and happiness.

“On the contrary, sticking up for nature is the best way to make sure everyone can enjoy safe and happy holiday seasons for generations to come.”

The Christmas appeal is part of the Save Surrey’s Nature campaign, which is aiming to raise £1 million to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity in Surrey, including through the reintroduction of lost native species such as the Eurasian beaver. This vital ecosystem engineer was hunted to extinction in England in the 16^th Century but is now making a comeback thanks to conservationists.

James Herd added: “By donating you will accelerate and expand our work to establish vital corridors and protected areas for biodiversity to thrive. And by supporting land management decisions that work with and not against nature, we can combat pollution and push back against the damaging effects of climate change.”

As well as enabling the Trust to provide advice and land management support to businesses and landowners across the county, donations could support urgent winter work on SWT’s 60-plus nature reserves. This includes:

Carefully thinning and coppicing areas of woodland at Runfold Wood near Farnham and Cucknell’s Wood near Shamley Green to open up glades and allow more light to reach the woodland floor. This work will benefit the hazel dormouse, says the Trust, and provide a healthier woodland ecosystem for many bat and bird species.
Cutting back reeds at Hedgecourt Lake near Gatwick to encourage young growth and help prevent the reedbeds encroaching further into the open water. This will create more favourable habitat for species including the shy and rarely-seen water rail and the kingfisher.
Clearing scrub and managing a herd of conservation grazing sheep and cows at Quarry Hangers near Reigate to maintain an incredibly biodiverse chalk grassland habitat which supports rarities from bee orchids and yellow-wort to green hairstreak and grizzled skipper butterflies.
Clearing hawthorn, dogwood and bramble at Norbury Park near Leatherhead to maintain and expand areas of chalk grassland that slowly scrub up over time. This will ensure the survival of the small blue butterfly which can be found feeding off of the kidney vetch.
Creating areas of valuable bare ground on Brentmoor Heath near West End village to benefit a variety of heathland species. One rare species in particular is the heath tiger beetle. Creating bare ground will provide these rare invertebrates with the habitat they need.

Money raised will also provide training for aspiring conservationists, help the Trust’s Wilder Schools team inspire younger generations, and empower local communities to champion nature conservation.

The much-loved kingfisher. Picture: Jon Hawkins

The Trust says evidence including the 2023 State of Nature report shows that UK habitats are in long-term decline due to unsustainable land use and development.

The Trust says: “Through demonstrating how healthy habitats make life better for everyone, we are combating the false narrative that looking after wildlife puts a block on human progress and economic growth.

“Another report from the Wildlife Trusts, Planning & Development: nature isn’t the problem, adds to the growing body of evidence – including the Government’s own impact assessment – showing that nature protections do not block growth.”

You can donate to the SWT appeal via https://www.surreywildlifetrust.org/