The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has launched an emergency appeal to raise funds to help restore one of its flagship sites which was severely damaged in the recent Suffolk wildfires.
Approximately 1,500 hectares of “internationally important heathland habitat” were destroyed or damaged by the fire, which broke out on 29 July at the charity’s Minsmere nature reserve, which the charity said made the fire “one of the most significant incidents to impact the reserve and neighbouring land”.
The fire has now been stabilised, and the major incident status has been stood down, but the fire incident remains ongoing, with fire crews remaining on site to monitor and manage hot spots while RSPB conservation teams are assessing the damage and planning the work needed to help the site recover.
Funds raised will support habitat restoration, wildlife recovery work and efforts to rebuild areas of heathland that have been lost.
Adam Rowlands, RSPB area manager for Suffolk, said: “This fire has been devastating for RSPB Minsmere, its wildlife and everyone who cares about this special place.
“Whilst some species will have escaped the fire itself, the destruction of their habitat will be felt for many years to come.
“The scale of the damage is heartbreaking. Recovery will take decades, not years. But Minsmere has an incredible track record of habitat restoration, and, with public support, we can now begin helping nature recover.
“We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support and offers of help over the past two weeks, and we are incredibly grateful.
“Now we urgently need people’s support – the quicker we can raise the funds needed, the sooner we can start restoring this precious landscape and giving wildlife the best chance of recovery.”
RSPB has not specified how much money it hopes to raise from the appeal.
The National Trust has launched its own emergency appeal for neighbouring site Dunwich Heath – which was also severely fire-damaged – and has already surpassed its initial £500,000 fundraising target.
