Warleigh Nature Reserve
Warleigh Lane, Bathford, Bath
Warleigh Nature Reserve is Protect Earth's 81-acre restoration site between Warleigh Wood and the River Avon. Together with volunteers and neighbours, we are restoring a rich mosaic of habitats for wildlife and people.
From disused farmland to nature reserve
After two years of fundraising, legal work, and determination, Protect Earth completed the purchase of Warleigh in early 2026. The reserve now connects ancient woodland, wet meadow, wet woodland, coppice, scrub, and calcareous grassland in one linked landscape.
Natural regeneration is already underway across the site, and the long-term vision is a more resilient, species-rich ecosystem that supports both biodiversity and local community access.
What restoration work is happening now
The team and volunteers are already clearing old fencing, planting hedgerows to link up future woodlands, opening up access paths, restoring hazel coppice, tackling Himalayan balsam, and improving wet habitats with alder, willow, and leaky dams.
These first steps are focused on helping wildlife recover quickly while setting up decades of care, including better conditions for species already seen on site like beavers and otters.
Support Warleigh's future
Buying the land was only the beginning. There is still a huge amount to fund, from practical conservation work and habitat recovery to safer access and long-term site management.
If you want to help secure the future of this reserve, please donate to the crowdfunder. Every contribution goes directly into restoration work on the ground.
Volunteer days at Warleigh
Warleigh runs regular volunteer work parties through spring and summer. We typically meet from 10:00 and finish around 16:00.
See upcoming sessions and details on the events page.
Location
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Help Protect Earth - Take Action Now
Volunteer
Help us create and maintain new woodlands, hedgerows and wildflower meadows! We need volunteers to sow seeds, plant saplings, clear invasive plant species and pick up litter. No qualifications necessary; jobs for all ages and abilities. Come and turn climate anxiety into climate action!
Fund Our Work
With government funding for reforestation and rewilding tenuous, we increasingly rely on our amazing community to keep us growing regardless of political shifts. Help Protect Earth continue to restore ecosystems and improve biodiversity across the country.
Support the Land Fund
Help us put down roots! Your donations to our Land Fund let us seize the moment when the perfect piece of land comes up for sale. Every penny helps us secure community woodlands, healthier ecosystems, and a greener future for generations to come.