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Respect the Range: How to safely access MOD land this summer

A man in a camouflage military uniform speaking to a group of adults and children. They are stood next to a red and white 4x4 vehicle with 'Training Safety' written on its side.

A team from DIO recently attended the South Downs National Park Authority’s ‘Secrets of the Heath’ festival in Hampshire, to speak to festival-goers and promote safe public access to the Defence Training Estate (DTE). The event took place at Hogmoor …

A helping hand for reptiles and amphibians on the Defence estate

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Defence Estate, Environment and Ecology, Volunteering
An adder snake curled up in a section of leafy scrub

The Defence estate includes some of the UK’s most important wildlife sites and is unrivalled in terms of its size and the diversity of habitats and species it supports. Much of our estate is accessible to the public, and providing …

How is a rugby legend helping keep the public safe on MOD land?

Head and shoulders image of Mike Tindall, a white man with a short beard, smiling at the camera. He wears a military helmet and body armour over a dark jacket.

Last month DIO’s Corporate Communications team invited England Rugby legend and ‘I’m a Celeb’ contestant Mike Tindall to Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) to help us promote our ‘Respect the Range’ public safety campaign. ‘Respect the Range’ is DIO’s biggest …

Celebrating the 2022 Sanctuary Awards

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Conservation, Defence Estate, Sustainability
A silver trophy consisting of an otter with a fish in its mouth, perched on top of a rectangular plinth into which is inscribed: 'Sanctuary Award Silver Otter'

Since 1991, the Sanctuary Awards have been recognising outstanding sustainability and conservation efforts across the MOD. The awards celebrate group and individual-led projects that are benefiting sustainable development and helping to conserve the environment, natural resources and heritage across Defence’s …

Yardley Chase Training Area: Northamptonshire’s hidden gem

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Conservation, Defence Training Estate (DTE), Environment and Ecology
A large pond bordered by green, grassy verges with trees growing near their edges

Yardley Chase Training Area in Northamptonshire is one of our lesser-known training areas, yet it’s truly a hidden gem. The site was recently showcased for its wildlife value in the nationally acclaimed British Wildlife magazine, thanks to the committed efforts …

Supporting the training of Ukrainian forces on the UK Defence Training Estate

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Defence Training Estate (DTE), Military Training
A Ukrainian recruit in uniform with his face covered faces the camera with an open expanse of land behind him. He holds his gun in a relaxed position in his arms.

This week marks the one-year anniversary of the illegal and unprovoked full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. As part of the international effort to support Ukraine, a programme of operational training of Ukrainian forces, supported by both UK and partner nations …

Revolutionising our management of heritage on the Defence estate

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Archaeology, Defence Estate, Historic environment
DIO archaeologist Guy Salkeld is pictured in front of a trench under excavation at Flower's Barrow on Lulworth Trainingn Area. He is smiling enthusiastically.

The MOD has a rich and diverse historic environment on its UK and overseas estate, containing many thousands of historic buildings and archaeological sites. As the guardian of these valuable heritage assets, DIO is responsible for their stewardship, a key …