Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust currently manage 15 nature reserves, ranging from large moorland areas of international importance, to small city centre nature parks and we want you to use these wonderful green spaces to connect with nature and grow your love of local wildlife. It is important that we respect and protect our natural spaces, so we can all enjoy time spent in nature.
Please keep dogs on leads and always follow the Countryside Code.
Respect, Protect, Enjoy your local green spaces.
It is vitally important that during your visits protecting wildlife is always at the front of your mind. We all have a responsibility to protect the countryside now and for future generations, so make sure your actions don’t do any harm and try to leave no trace of your visit. Please follow the below guidance and #RespectProtectEnjoy.
Countryside Code Headlines
Respect everyone
- be considerate to those living in, working in and enjoying the countryside
- leave gates and property as you find them
- do not block access to gateways or driveways when parking
- be nice, say hello, share the space
- follow local signs and keep to marked paths
Protect the environment
- take your litter home – leave no trace of your visit
- do not light fires and only have BBQs where signs say you can
- always keep dogs under effective control and on a short lead on open access land
- dog poo – bag it and bin it – any public waste bin will do
- care for nature – do not cause damage or disturbance
Enjoy the outdoors
- check your route and local conditions
- plan your adventure – know what to expect and what you can do
- enjoy your visit, have fun, make a memory
More Guidance
- Keep dogs on leads
During the bird breeding season (1 Mar – 31 Jul) please keep your dog on a short lead to avoid disturbing ground-nesting birds. By law, dogs must be under effective control on public rights of way and on a short lead on open access land.
Don’t approach cattle but if they do get startled and run towards you, let your dog off the lead for your own safety. - Keep on the paths to reduce wear and tear
- Take your litter home to throw away or recycle
Bring a bag with you as there may not be bins on site. - Never have barbecues or fires in the countryside. Only go camping in designated areas.
- Get to know the fellow users of your favorite nature reserve
Our nature reserve paths are shared by walkers, horse riders and cyclists. Get to know which paths are designated for which users. - Respect local farmers and communities
- Recognise: Record: Report
Sadly illegal persecution of wildlife continues in our area. If you witness a wildlife crime taking place, call 999 and ask to speak to a Wildlife Crime Officer. Tell them what you have seen and where, ask for an incident number and if you feel safe to do so, try to take photos or record a video as evidence. If you see something you think is suspicious – an illegal trap or suspected poisoned bait – please call 101 (the national non-emergency number) to report it to the police and ask for an incident number. Again, please also take photos or record a video of what you have seen and let us know at nature.reserves@wildsheffield.com.
Countryside Code Resources
Read and understand the full Countryside Code here.