Share

Thank you for supporting wildlife this winter

Barn owl at Brockholes. Credit Craig Smith

This winter, you chose to give in a way that made a real difference for wildlife.

Through our £1 appeal, launched at Christmas and continued through the winter months, supporters came together to help wildlife through one of the most challenging times of year.

Some people gave £1, others were able to give more, and many shared the appeal with friends and family. Every gift, whatever its size, played a part in that collective care.

What made this appeal especially powerful was the number of people who took part. It saw the highest number of individual donations we’ve ever received, a simple but powerful reminder that everyone can be part of making a genuine difference for wildlife.

Supporting wildlife through an unpredictable winter

Roe deer at Brockholes by Leslie Price

Roe deer at Brockholes by Leslie Price

Winter is becoming increasingly unpredictable for nature. Erratically shifting temperatures, flooding and storms can all affect how wildlife feeds, shelters and survives.

During these months, our teams and volunteers continue working quietly across our nature reserves, including Brockholes, Mere Sands Wood and Lunt Meadows, making sure these places remain safe havens when wildlife needs them most.

Your support helped make that work possible.

A person walks a dog along a frosty path in winter with a sunny clear blue sky

Cheryl Ashton

What your support made possible

Every pound given contributed to practical care on the ground.

Across our reserves this winter, teams have been planting new hedgerows and trees, clearing overgrown ponds and carefully managing water levels in lakes and wetlands. In some places, islands have been flooded to create areas of open mud ready for nesting waders in spring.

Work has also focused on maintaining and improving habitats, including removing dead material from reedbeds so they remain fresh and suitable for species like bittern.

Alongside this, staff and volunteers have been supporting wildlife more directly, keeping bird feeders stocked and regularly disinfected, creating additional feeding stations, and building shelters for hedgehogs, great crested newts and other small mammals.

These are the steady, day-to-day actions that help ensure wildlife has the food, shelter and safe spaces it needs through the colder months.

January 2026 Photo Comp Winner - Blue Tit at Brockholes

Raven Grey

Brockholes in the snow

Les Price 

A bittern flying past distant trees at Brockholes Nature Reserve in Preston

Bittern in flight by Paul Lambert

Smooth newt at Brockholes. Credit Kathie Wilson

Smooth newt at Brockholes. Credit Kathie Wilson

A view across snowy fields to Pendle Hill seen from Brockholes

Ian McGill

Looking ahead to Spring

Brockholes bluebells Credit Laura Cronin

Brockholes bluebells Credit Laura Cronin

While winter can be challenging for wildlife, we are also seeing earlier signs of spring each year. Milder conditions mean some species are emerging and beginning to nest sooner.

Because of this, reserve teams carefully adapt their management in response, making sure habitats provide a good variety of food sources and shelter, while timing work to minimise disturbance at sensitive times.

As winter gives way to spring, wildlife across our nature reserves is already benefitting from this work. From healthier wetlands to safer nesting areas, your generosity is helping nature begin the season in a stronger position.

A shared effort for wildlife

This appeal showed something simple but powerful: that small actions, taken together, can have a real and lasting impact.

From all of us at Lancashire Wildlife Trust and from the teams working every day across our nature reserves thank you for standing alongside wildlife this winter.

Supporting the appeal

We would also like to thank Maxmedia for their creative support during the campaign, helping bring the appeal to life through engaging visuals and animations.

Visit Maxmedia

Related blog posts