Nature reserves

There are around 50 nature reserves in Kent, 12 of which are National Nature Reserves and 37 of which are local nature reserves. They are managed by Natural England and by the Kent Wildlife Trust .

These nature reserves help to preserve the diverse species of plants and animals to be found in Kent, and the habitats in which they live.

The habitats which are preserved include chalk downlands, wetlands, woodlands, marshes and bogs, so effectively encompass the range of habitats present in Kent.

By preserving and monitoring these diverse habitats, the indigenous species found in these environments will also be conserved.

National and local nature reserves

Local nature reserves are places with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest locally.

They offer people special opportunities to study or learn about nature or simply to enjoy it.

National nature reserves are places which have been designated as "nationally important".

They are carefully managed to protect the most important areas of wildlife habitat and geological formations in Britain, and are places for scientific research.

This does not mean that people cannot visit them, it means that when we visit we must be careful not to damage the wildlife of these fragile places.

Visiting Kent's nature reserves

Nature reserves allow us to access and experience these features of our wildlife, while at the same time preserving them in their natural environment for future generations to enjoy.

For more information about the nature reserves in Kent and the visitor centres that you can visit in your area, visit the Kent Wildlife Trust website or visit the Nature on the map website, run by Natural England, which has interactive maps of where nature reserves can be found.