Supporting Cornwall’s wildlife

Cornwall’s landscapes are part of what makes our county feel so special. Here on the Helford River, all kinds of wildlife call the woodland and the shoreline home. From little egrets, kingfishers and cormorants to grey herons, buzzards and oystercatchers, there is always something to look out for. In warmer months, common seals are sometimes seen in the water, and on rare, memorable occasions, dolphins too.

Protecting that wildlife takes care, commitment and long-term action, which is why we are proud to be a Wild Kernow Silver Business Member, supporting Kernow Conservation. Their work is helping to restore biodiversity across Cornwall and create better conditions for native species to return and thrive.

Who is Kernow Conservation?

Kernow Conservation is a non-profit community interest company working alongside conservation organisations, landowners and local businesses. Their approach is practical and collaborative, with projects that are rooted in the places and habitats that need them most.

From species reintroductions and habitat restoration to biodiversity monitoring and advice for private landowners and community groups, their work spans both immediate action and long-term recovery. It is not only about protecting what remains, but helping Cornwall become richer in wildlife again.

As their network grows, so does the potential to create lasting change, connecting people, places and projects in a way that makes a real difference to Cornwall’s natural future.

Why this work matters

Cornwall may feel wonderfully wild, but the picture across the county is more fragile than many of us realise. The Wildlife Trust’s State of Nature 2020 report found that nearly half of breeding birds have declined since the early 1980s, nearly half of terrestrial mammals are found in fewer places, and three-fifths of butterflies have declined in distribution. Habitat loss and fragmentation continue to put pressure on biodiversity, making restoration work all the more important.

How our membership helps

Conservation work rarely happens quickly. It depends on careful planning, expert guidance and ongoing monitoring to understand what is working and where support is needed next. That kind of work takes time and resources, and business partnerships are an important part of making it possible.

By being a Silver Wild Kernow Business Member, we are helping support projects that protect and restore Cornwall’s wildlife, while also standing behind a wider vision of a county where nature can recover and flourish for generations to come.

The projects making a difference

Kernow Conservation is perhaps best known for its work restoring water voles in Cornwall, but their wider programme is equally inspiring. They are identifying suitable areas for future beaver releases, helping to bring the osprey back as a nesting bird in Cornwall, and preparing for the return of pine martens by creating the right conditions for them to settle.

Together, these projects speak to a larger ambition: not simply to preserve what is left, but to help shape a more wildlife-rich future. It is a vision we are proud to support as part of our commitment to this beautiful corner of Cornwall.

Find out more about the projects by Kernow Conservation here