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UK Conservation

Our UK Conservation Programme is focused on projects within the South West of England.

These include native species recovery, habitat restoration and control of non-native invasive species in combination with research, citizen science, community engagement and outreach.

This vital conservation work is made possible by the generous donations of our supporters such as Marshfield Farm Ice Cream, who sponsor our work with native species.

The Marshfield Farm logo, comprising the words 'Marshfield Farm real dairy ice cream' and an illustration of a cow

Our UK projects

Crayfish conservation

The white-clawed crayfish (WCC) is listed as globally Endangered by the IUCN.

Threats include habitat loss, fragmentation, pollution, invasive crayfish and the spread of the associated crayfish plague.

Key achievements

  • 21 ark sites have been established in the South West for both wild-caught and captive-born WCC

  • Over 4,000 wild WCC have been moved into ark sites from threatened rivers

  • We have bred crayfish from six different river catchments and released over 3,000 into ark sites

  • A pilot trial for invasive crayfish control has been set up at a local lake

AQUA Accreditation award

AQUA is a national biosecurity accreditation scheme that we developed in response to the growing threat of invasive non-native species (INNS).

The aim of the scheme is to work with organisations and waterway users to help them increase their biosecurity efforts.

Key achievements

  • 60 sites accredited, Bronze, Silver & Gold AQUA awards

  • Project expanded nationally from original South West pilot project

  • 5 water companies involved in the project

  • Funding secured from APHA

Avon Invasive Weeds Forum (AIWF)

The AIWF was created in 2008 with the aim to educate, raise awareness, control and reduce the spread of invasive non-native species (INNS) in the Avon region.

Bristol Zoological Society staff and volunteers stand in woodland, holding weeds they have pulled

Key achievements

  • 200km of riverbank surveyed for INNS

  • 50% reduction of Himalayan balsam on local tributaries of the River Avon

  • Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed under control in the region

  • Creation and support of 14 Community Action Groups (CAGs) in the region

  • Over 180 awareness-raising events including INNS conferences, lectures, training courses and festivals

Silky wave moth

The silky wave moth is extremely rare in the UK, with the only known English population found on the Avon Gorge and Downs, a Special Conservation Area and a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the heart of Bristol.

A silky wave moth sat on a leaf

Key achievements

  • Bristol Zoological Society has conducted annual surveys since 2011

  • Of the 13 sites, 12 have showed continued silky wave moth presence

  • Our long-term monitoring can help track population trends and can highlight areas where habitat management is needed

Bristol Zoo Project

Bristol Zoo Project (BZP) is a conservation zoo run by Bristol Zoological Society. This UK conservation project is centred on enhancing native biodiversity in harmony with the BZP boundary.

Key achievements

  • Discovery of a nationally scarce species of necklace ground beetle (Carabus monilis)

  • Successful translocation of a small but established badger sett from the centre of the site into an area of the woodland

  • Comparison surveys between the Bear Wood development and a control site in Blackhorse Woods for a range of species

Even Wilder

Even Wilder works within the area surrounding Bristol Zoo Project to identify key priority native and invasive species and restore habitats.

Key achievements

  • Communication has begun with South Gloucestershire Council Biodiversity team local parish councils

  • Sites have been identified to begin collecting data to investigate the impact of transport severance

  • A mink trapping programme has begun preliminary work, dovetailing with the AIWF Lower Severn Invasive Initiative

Meet our UK conservation team

A headshot of Jen Nightingale

Dr Jen Nightingale (she/her) – UK Conservation Manager

Jen is a conservation ecologist and has been with BZS since 1997! She joined as the Aquarium Curator and then moved over to managing the UK Conservation Team in 2002.

Jen has a MSc in Wildlife Management and Conservation and a PhD investigating aquaculture techniques and reintroduction for white-clawed crayfish. Jen is a crayfish specialist with a passion for all things aquatic.

Nicola Cooke (she/her) – UK Conservation Officer

Nicola has been working for the Society since 2013, starting out as an invertebrate keeper and aquarist, moving to the field science conservation department in 2022.

She has an MSc in wildlife and conservation management, is passionate about native species conservation and particularly loves invertebrates and getting in the water.

Neil Green (he/him) – UK Conservation Officer

Neil has been working for the Society since 2012, initially running the Avon Invasive Weeds Forum. In subsequent years, he has carried out all sorts of other native and invasive surveys.

Since 2019, Neil has been heading up the AQUA accreditation scheme, working with multiple partners to disseminate the Check Clean Dry biosecurity protocols nationally across a multitude of organisations.

Help us to save wildlife!

Our conservation team's amazing work wouldn't be possible without our visitors, members, donors and partners.

Find out how you can support our conservation charity and help Save Wildlife Together.