NATS nature reserve partnership delivers for wildlife and schools

The NATS-owned Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve has reported an ‘overwhelmingly positive’ year for thriving habitats and education programme delivery. The reserve, which is owned by NATS and managed by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, has reaped the benefits of conservation efforts and awareness raising over past year as detailed in the reserve’s latest annual report.

Perhaps the biggest achievement for the reserve, located next to NATS’ Swanwick Centre in Hampshire, is that of their education programme. The reserve’s education and engagement team boasted a fully booked calendar of Forest School programmes, accredited training courses, school visits, uniform group visits, and family events throughout 2025/26, with more of the same this year.

Income from NATS teambuilding sessions has also enabled access to outdoor learning, with funds generated from NATS teams being reinvested in the Wilder School programme; a way of delivering more nature-led education sessions in school grounds, as well as providing training for teachers to support long-term relationships with local schools.

“The work of the Swanwick Lakes team is helping build lasting connections with nature,” shared Jess Parsons, Wilder Schools and Communities Officer at Swanwick Lakes. “This is all through Wilder Schools, accredited training, family events and community engagement. The effects of this work are now rippling across the local community, creating more opportunities to connect with nature and wider access to outdoor learning and play, both on the reserve and elsewhere.”

A highlight for the Trust’s accredited training team has been the inclusion of the Ocean Connection unit into the new Wild Beach course, creating a link between coastal education and the Trust’s wider mission of conservation and developing a connection with nature.

Species surveys was another area of improvement, specifically for damselflies and dragonflies. From the eight surveys conducted during the year, seven damselfly species and 12 dragonfly species were identified; these encouraging numbers show that successful breeding is continuing across the site, especially for Downy Emerald Dragonflies.

The nature reserve also marked its first anniversary of the wildlife garden, which provides an accessible way for everyone to appreciate nature amongst the developing fauna and evolving pond life.

“We’re proud to see the reserve delivering such a range of benefits for wildlife, education and the local community,” commented Nick Geary, Head of Human Performance at NATS. “Access to nature and green spaces can have a powerful impact on wellbeing, and it’s encouraging to see how the reserve is helping people of all ages connect with nature.”

Volunteers continued to make a positive difference to the maintenance of the reserve with over 900 hours of time given through duties including scrub clearance, fence repairs, pathway maintenance and administrative support.

Photography © Mike Read.