WILDLIFE Trusts in Dorset and the South West of England are urgently needing new members to sign up, with many trust on the brink of closure.

As lockdown eases across England and society begins to cautiously open up, the trusts want to help galvanise public backing following an increase in support for and use of green spaces during the lockdown period.

A recent YouGov survey showed that 76 per cent of respondents said that nature has provided them with an important source of comfort and relief to them during lockdown, and visits to green spaces estimated to have increased by up to 50 per cent during that time.

Dorset Wildlife Trust Marketing Manager, Sally Welbourn, said: "Due to the impact of Covid-19 Dorset Wildlife Trust had to halt face to face engagement with the public and close our visitor centres.

“Now more than ever it is vital that the public show their support for nature in Dorset.

“The Wildlife Trusts' conservation work is a crucial strand of the green recovery we urgently need, and membership can ensure this work carries on for years to come.

“We hope to welcome lots of new people to help us look after the wildlife and wild places in Dorset that we all love.”

Dorset Wildlife Trust began their engagement with members of the public last weekend to urge the public to consider supporting nature conservation during lockdown by signing up to a membership with the Wildlife Trusts.

Guidance on the safe operation of membership recruitment has been developed and published by the Institute of Fundraising ‐ the professional body representing fundraisers in England, and the Fundraising Regulator ‐ the independent watchdog for the industry.

Over the past few weeks these bodies have been working directly with government, to develop rules for the safe return of fundraising nationally in public places.