Four years ago, the team in the Rangers Office launched an appeal to raise funds to create a Wildlife Garden. Delayed by covid and extreme weather, work is now underway to transform this area. With added costs, we are seeking additional support to help fund new plants, fencing and gates. 

The garden will provide a space that represents all the different habitat areas of the Commons so visitors who perhaps aren't able to get around the Commons can sit and enjoy a snapshot in one place. In addition, the Conservators and staff here on the Commons have been considering ways in which to honour the memory of local bird expert,  Dave Wills, who sadly passed away last year.  

Dave spent hours on the Commons studying our bird life and was involved in producing our annual Commons Bird Report for over 40 years.   We want to mark the very significant impact his study of our bird life had on improving our understanding and knowledge of the Commons.  Therefore, part of the garden will provide a space for people to sit and relax or reflect and watch the birds that will arrive at the nearby bird feeders. The final aim of the garden is to provide a small but important education facility for our younger visitors; children will be able to carry out pond dipping and learn about the wildlife that is attracted to the garden.  The new wildlife garden will transform the area around the Rangers Officer, Keepers Stables and Windmill complex. 

Any funds raised over and above our target will be kept aside for further development of the Information Centre and the Terrapin Pond unless you specifically request that your donation be refunded if it is received after the target has been reached.