Our Vision for Attenborough Nature Reserve

An illustration of the Attenborough Nature Reserve lansdcape. Terns flying, swans swimming, people birdwatching and families walking along paths.

Now more than ever, we must;

Help wildlife recover and flourish

Communicate the importance of tackling the ecological and climate crises and provide more people with the inspiration and information needed to take action

Provide people with new opportunities to connect with the living world

Attenborough Nature Reserve provides the perfect platform for all of this.

David Attenborough opening Attenborough Nature Centre in 2005

Building on past success

Attenborough Nature Reserve was established in 1966 and was opened by Sir David Attenborough. This much loved, nationally important site is best known for its birds with over 160 species recorded, but also provides a home for hundreds of species of plant and insects. It is cited as one of the best places in the UK to see kingfisher and is also home to rare wildlife including bitterns and otters. The reserve attracts around 500,000 visitors each year and holds a special place in the hearts of many – with families having visited for three generations.

Birdwatching from Attenborough Nature Reserve's Tower Hide

Looking to the future

By 2030, Attenborough Nature Reserve will be internationally recognised as a:

Haven for diverse and abundant wildlife

Beacon of wildlife connection and wellbeing

Living laboratory for highlighting and tackling global environmental issues – through championing local action

A lifeline to the natural world…a natural oasis at the edge of a big city, full of remarkable and beautiful birds and other wildlife

Sir David Attenborough, on Attenborough Nature Reserve

Looking across the water from Attenborough Nature Centre — Photo © Anisa Mustafa

Our three Big Ambitions

To help tackle the ecological crises

To start and support people's connection to nature

To be a catalyst to tackle global issues through local action

Helping to tackle the ecological crisis

We will achieve large scale, urgent, recovery of nature to create a wild place where species are abundant on site and can spread out to the wider landscape

Wildlife Watch boy with Magnifying glass cpt Emma Bradshaw

Spark and support people’s connection with nature

We will create an accessible, inclusive and inspirational wild place on the edge of the City that connects people to nature and to the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Hindu Youth Group Skylarks NR NottsWT cpt Laura Bacon

A catalyst to tackling global issues

We will demonstrate the impact of global issues (e.g pollution, climate change and flooding) on the site and within the wider landscape, highlighting the role that individuals and communities can play through direct action, based on the latest science