Practical
The initiative starts with small, realistic changes that suit the space, time, and confidence each person has.
About Community Nature Reserve
Conservation can begin close to home.
Community Nature Reserve is a practical way for people to make space for wildlife in the places they already manage and enjoy. The aim is simple: many small, wildlife-friendly places can add up to a more connected local landscape.
The idea
A reserve without a single boundary.
Traditional nature reserves are vital. Community Nature Reserve complements them by recognising the value of the smaller outdoor places found throughout towns, villages, and neighbourhoods.
When people make room for food, shelter, water, and movement in their own spaces, gardens and other patches of green can become a more useful network for wildlife. The idea has long-standing roots in community conservation work in Felixstowe and has inspired similar local approaches elsewhere.
Read the Felixstowe story in Positive NewsWhat guides the work
A simple idea, put into practice.
Connected
A garden, allotment, balcony, or shared space can become one part of a wider mosaic of habitat.
Community-led
Local knowledge, shared learning, and neighbour-to-neighbour action are central to how the model grows.
People
The people behind the initiative.
Community Nature Reserve brings together people who care about local wildlife and want an accessible way to act. The team develops resources, supports communication, and helps local projects share what they are learning.
Co-Founder, Press & Communications
Luke Smout
Luke Smout is a conservationist and co-founder of Community Nature Reserve. He leads press and communications work for the initiative and helps share practical local action for wildlife with a wider audience.
About Luke SmoutCo-Founder & Community Conservation Consultant
Dr Adrian Cooper
Dr Adrian Cooper co-founded Community Nature Reserve alongside Luke Smout. His work draws on geography, public engagement, and community-based conservation to help shape practical local approaches for wildlife.
Meet the teamCorrespondence
Letters received
A record of correspondence received by Community Nature Reserve. Select a letter to view it in full.
Sir David Attenborough
Naturalist and broadcaster
Prince William, Prince of Wales
Kensington Palace correspondence