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This Earth Day, supporters of the National Forest have a special opportunity to make twice the difference for wildlife. A major match‑funding campaign is launching to help restore and enhance habitats at Albert Village Lake, giving everyone the chance to double their donation and double their impact for nature.
20 Apr 2026
From midday Wednesday 22 April to midday Wednesday 29 April, the Big Give Earth Raise campaign will match every donation made to the National Forest - pound for pound - while funds last. This means every gift will go twice as far in helping restore habitats, boost biodiversity and strengthen one of the Forest’s most important wildlife sites.
The campaign comes at a crucial time. The UK remains one of the most nature‑depleted countries in the world, with habitat loss driving steep declines in wildlife. The State of the UK’s Woods and Trees 2025 reports a 37 per cent fall in woodland bird species since 1970, including a 15 per cent drop in the last five years, and significant reductions in abundance across 80 butterfly species. In contrast, the National Forest is showing what long‑term habitat creation can achieve. Woodland bird abundance has increased by 48 per cent across the Forest, and species once lost are returning. The Purple Emperor butterfly has reappeared after more than a century, and priority species are thriving at sites such as Albert Village Lake. But there is still more to do.
Chris Ward, development manager at the National Forest, said: “Albert Village Lake is a powerful example of how we are reversing national trends in biodiversity loss. Match funding through the Big Give allows us to go further and faster, expanding priority habitats, supporting volunteers and building a landscape where wildlife and people can flourish side by side.”
Funds raised through the campaign will support ambitious plans to enhance habitats at Albert Village Lake, creating a richer and more resilient landscape for wildlife and people. Planned work includes expanding species‑rich grassland, wetland, heathland and woodland, as well as creating new ponds, restoring hedgerows and developing reedbeds to strengthen ecological connectivity. Further improvements will increase areas of acid grassland, a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitat, and support ongoing care for existing woodland, scrub, meadow, wetland and open‑water habitats. Previous work at the site has already supported species such as great crested newts, grass snakes, cuckoos, glow worms and emperor dragonflies.
A key part of the project is the continued development of the Community Ranger‑led volunteering programme. This initiative gives volunteers hands‑on opportunities to help manage the site, learn new skills, connect with others and improve their wellbeing through time spent in nature.
Supporters can take part by donating during the campaign week, when every pound given will be matched while funds last. Even if the full fundraising target is not reached, all donations will go directly towards delivering habitat improvements and protecting wildlife at Albert Village Lake.
To find out more and make your donation go twice as far, search Big Give and donate between the 22-29 April.
