Conservation

Encouraging the return of pine martens and red squirrels to Kirkcudbright Training Centre

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Conservation, Environment and Ecology, Wildlife
Two pine martens standing on rocks. One is looking at the camera. They both have brown fur with pale patches at their throats.

As Deputy Training Safety Officer for Kirkcudbright Training Centre in Dumfries and Galloway, I’ve been spending some of my time on a project designed to help Scotland’s native red squirrels. Kirkcudbright Training Centre is primarily used for infantry training, including …

Revitalising the sand dune ecology of Braunton Burrows

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Conservation, Defence Training Estate (DTE), Environment and Ecology
The photo shows four men from the explosive ordnance clearance team. They are walking towards the camera over an area of grassy dunes. They are wearing high-vis vests, and are carrying spades and metal detector equipment.

The Braunton Burrows sand dune system on the North Devon coast is the second largest dune system in the UK and a site of international importance for its wildlife and ecology. It’s also an excellent location for military training, with …

Restoring vital sand dune habitats at Penhale Training Area, Cornwall

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Conservation, Environment and Ecology
Three people in dark clothing kneel on the ground looking at something between them. They are on a grassy area with the sea behind them.

The UK Defence Training Estate is home to a diverse range of habitats and wildlife species, many of which have been granted protected status. Through our work with industry partners, conservation organisations, and the UK Armed Forces themselves, DIO is …

Last chance to nominate projects for the Sanctuary Awards!

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Conservation, Energy, Environment and Ecology, HMS Prince of Wales, HMS Queen Elizabeth, Portsmouth, Sanctuary Awards, Wildlife

Nominations for the Sanctuary Awards close on 31 July and it’s your last chance to nominate projects across our categories from the Individual Achievement Award through to the Social Value and Sustainable Procurement and Construction Award.

Reversing the trend of declining bees on the Defence Training Estate

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Conservation, Environment and Ecology, Land Management, Landmarc, Wildlife

This week is National Pollinator’s Week and we’d like to share the initiatives we’ve put in place to help protect bees on the Defence estate. Bees are major pollinators, that ensure food and food security, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity and …

Winners of Sanctuary Awards 2020 Announced

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Accommodation, Armed Forces, Belize, British Army, Climate Change, Conservation, Energy, Environment and Ecology, Portsmouth, RAF Brize Norton, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Salisbury Plain Training Area, Sanctuary Awards, Wildlife

This week we hosted the first ever virtual Sanctuary Awards ceremony! The Sanctuary Awards have been showcasing outstanding sustainability and conservation efforts across the Ministry of Defence (MOD) estate since 1991, celebrating the achievements of teams and individuals in the …

Baby squirrels born on Ballykinler Training Area

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Ballykinler Training Area, Conservation, Wildlife
Alyn is a white man smiling at the camera. Behind him is some shrubbery and a green sign. He wears a blue shirt and tie with a navy gilet over the top.

I was pleased to hear about the birth of new red squirrel kittens on the Ballykinler Training Area. For the past five years Belfast Zoo has been working together with DIO as one of the organisations involved with the red squirrel breeding programme to protect and help red squirrels adapt to the wild across forests in Northern Ireland.