CORNWALL Wildlife Trust has launched an urgent public appeal to secure a rare piece of land and extend Bartinney nature reserve in West Penwith.

A new parcel of land has recently come up for sale on the open market, sitting almost entirely within the existing reserve boundary. The land represents a vital ‘missing piece’ to strengthen and expand Bartinney for nature.

The trust made a successful land purchase appeal in 2023, which helped secure an additional 53 acres for wildlife.

West Cornwall reserves manager Nick Marriott said: “Our 2030 strategy for nature recovery in Cornwall recognises the need for more space for nature: bigger, better and more joined-up.

“Rare opportunities like this, to extend an existing nature reserve, really can be transformative for wildlife. By securing this land, we can create a richer, more resilient landscape where diverse habitats help wildlife respond and adapt to a changing climate.”

The land has a purchase price of £100,000, of which the trust has raised £20,000 thanks to generous gifts received through wills. As the land is currently for sale on the open market, there is a real urgency to act before another buyer comes forward.

If safeguarded, the purchase would secure Bartinney’s position as the largest nature reserve in Penwith, creating a more resilient landscape for wildlife through better-connected habitats. It would also protect the land from potential development.

To find out more about the appeal or to make a donation, visit the Cornwall Wildlife Trust website and search for the Bartinney land appeal.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust has been working since 1962 to create a Cornwall where nature thrives. It is supported by more than 17,000 members and 1,000 volunteers, and works to create and restore wild spaces on land and at sea, inspire community action, and use expert knowledge to protect wildlife.