Directory of Nature Charities in Cornwall

Cornwall has one of England’s richest and most distinctive natural environments, encompassing dramatic coastlines, marine habitats, heathlands, moors, wetlands, ancient woodland, temperate rainforest, farmland and river valleys. Its wildlife includes internationally important seabird and marine populations alongside rare plants, insects, mammals and birds found in Cornwall’s varied habitats. With almost a third of the county forming part of the Cornwall National Landscape and a statutory Nature Recovery Strategy now guiding nature recovery across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, there is a strong and growing network of organisations working to protect and restore the natural environment.

This directory brings together Cornwall-based and Cornwall-focused charities, conservation organisations, environmental partnerships, wildlife groups and specialist organisations working for nature. It includes organisations protecting land and sea, restoring habitats, monitoring wildlife, supporting nature-friendly farming and helping communities become more involved in conservation. Together they provide a useful starting point for anyone looking to support, volunteer with or learn more about nature conservation in Cornwall.

Nature Charities in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

Including registered charities, CICs, coalitions, and alliances.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading independent nature conservation charity, working across Cornwall’s land and seas to protect wildlife and restore habitats. It manages a large network of nature reserves and delivers conservation projects covering everything from woodland and heathland to marine habitats. The Trust also supports education, volunteering, wildlife recording and community action.

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership brings together public, private and voluntary organisations to provide strategic leadership for nature recovery. It promotes joined-up action to restore biodiversity across land, rivers and seas, with an ambition for 30% of the region to be well managed for nature by 2030.

ERCCIS is the principal environmental records centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, holding extensive information about local species, habitats and designated sites. Its biodiversity data supports conservation, ecological research, planning and environmental decision-making, while wildlife records from volunteers help continually improve knowledge of Cornwall’s natural environment.

Cornwall National Landscape protects and enhances some of the county’s most important landscapes, covering 12 separate areas that together encompass almost a third of Cornwall. Its partnership works on landscape conservation, nature recovery, sustainable land management and public engagement, helping maintain the distinctive character and biodiversity of Cornwall’s protected landscapes.

Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust is dedicated to understanding and protecting Cornwall’s grey seal population. Its volunteers monitor individual seals and their movements, collect long-term data and promote greater awareness of the pressures facing marine wildlife. The resulting research contributes to wider understanding and conservation of Cornwall’s coastal and marine environment.

Cornwall Rivers Project works to improve the county’s rivers and their surrounding catchments through practical conservation, community engagement and environmental education. Its work supports healthier waterways, better habitats and more resilient river systems, while encouraging local communities to understand and take an active interest in their rivers.

Cornwall Bird Watching & Preservation Society promotes the study, enjoyment and conservation of birds across the county. Its activities encourage bird recording, field observation and greater understanding of Cornwall’s birdlife, while helping build awareness of the importance of protecting habitats used by resident and visiting species.

Butterfly Conservation’s Cornwall network supports the protection of butterflies and moths and the habitats on which they depend. Its local activities include recording, monitoring, practical habitat management and public engagement, helping safeguard some of Cornwall’s most distinctive and vulnerable insect species.

Cornwall Bat Group promotes the conservation and study of bats across the county. Through surveys, monitoring, recording, advice and public engagement, the group helps improve understanding of Cornwall’s bat populations and encourages practical measures to protect roosts and important feeding habitats.

Cornwall Mammal Group supports the recording and study of the county’s wild mammals. Its work contributes to knowledge of species distribution and population trends while encouraging greater interest in mammal conservation and the habitats needed by Cornwall’s native wildlife.

Penwith Landscape Partnership brings organisations and communities together to conserve and celebrate the distinctive natural and cultural landscape of West Cornwall. Its work includes habitat restoration, heritage conservation, community involvement and projects designed to strengthen connections between people and the landscape.

The Tamar Valley National Landscape Partnership works to conserve and enhance the distinctive landscapes, habitats and natural heritage of the Tamar Valley. The protected landscape straddles Cornwall and Devon, with the partnership supporting nature recovery, sustainable land management, community projects and improved public understanding of the valley’s environment.

Cornwall Environmental Consultants is an ecological and environmental consultancy wholly owned by Cornwall Wildlife Trust. It provides ecological, landscape and arboricultural services across the South West, with profits supporting the Trust’s conservation work. Its projects help landowners and developers understand and reduce their environmental impacts.

Forest for Cornwall is a major initiative to increase tree cover and improve woodland and tree management across the county. It supports tree planting, woodland creation and community involvement as part of Cornwall’s wider response to climate change and biodiversity loss, while contributing to the county’s Nature Recovery Strategy.

Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust is the principal local nature conservation charity for the archipelago, managing around 700 hectares of land and extensive intertidal areas. Its work covers heathland, wetlands, woodland and marine habitats, alongside conservation of seabirds, seals, bats and rare plants. The Trust also manages nature reserves, maintains paths and works closely with island communities to protect Scilly’s exceptional natural environment.

Isles of Scilly National Landscape covers the entire archipelago and works with local organisations and communities to conserve its distinctive landscapes, wildlife and cultural heritage. Its partnership supports nature recovery, sustainable land management, marine conservation and projects that help people understand and enjoy Scilly’s unique environment. The Wildlife Trust is its principal delivery partner for conservation work.

Isles of Scilly Bird Group promotes the study, recording and conservation of the archipelago’s exceptional birdlife. The islands are internationally important for breeding seabirds and have recorded more than 450 bird species. The group contributes to bird monitoring and conservation projects, including work supporting the long-term recovery of Scilly’s vulnerable seabird populations.

The Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery Project is a collaborative conservation initiative focused on protecting and restoring the islands’ important seabird populations. Working with organisations including the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and Isles of Scilly Bird Group, the project combines research, monitoring, habitat management and community engagement to address pressures facing breeding seabirds.

Isles of Scilly Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) works to ensure that the islands’ inshore fisheries are managed sustainably while protecting the wider marine environment. It undertakes research and monitoring with partner organisations to improve understanding of marine ecosystems and support the long-term health of Scilly’s coastal waters.