Our response to Covid-19
Wildlife and nature has provided us all with solace and joy over the last year, and we hope it will continue to do as we deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. You'll find the latest information about how coronavirus is impacting our visitor centres, nature reserves, events and volunteering on this page.
Please keep yourself and others safe
As more restrictions are lifted, here's the latest from Government about what you can and cannot do in England.
This is the latest information if you are planning to visit our reserves;
✅ Our nature reserves are open - but please stay at home if you have any symptoms of coronavirus
✅ Please wear a face covering when passing through visitor centres and scan the QR code for track and trace. Link below to download the app.
✅ Potteric Carr nature reserve has now reopened including the shop and cafe - rule of six or two households applies indoors.
✅ Spurn Discovery Centre, car park and Spurn National Nature Reserve are open. Indoor cafe and seating - rule of six or two households applies.
✅ We are starting to run some events again but restrictions on numbers and distancing could apply - take a look at our events page!
✅ Our hides are open - it might take a few days to update signage.
✅ Many of our volunteering roles and opportunities have restarted and we welcome new volunteers. We hope to expand and provide even more inspiring and exciting ways for you to get involved this summer.
Thank you, as always, for your support and patience. Stay safe, Yorkshire.
Welcoming you back - a message from our CEO
At Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, we are delighted to welcome you back safely to all of our nature reserves so that you can reconnect with each other and our wonderful wildlife.
Our CEO Rachael Bice says more in her latest blog, and gives some advice for visiting safely.
Visitor centres
Our visitor centres have reopened with safety restrictions in place.
Please wear a face covering
Please scan the QR code
Refreshments are available indoors and to take away
Please follow any signs
Please stay local, stay safe, stay wild!
Keeping safe on our nature reserves
You can help to keep our nature reserves safe for visitors, wildlife and our staff by following the following rules:
- Minimise travel- please reduce non essential journeys or combine trips where possible
- Keep a 2-metre distance from all other visitors and staff at all times
- Follow any signage on site
- Stick to the paths and trails, and check if dogs are welcome or need to be on a lead
- Take your litter home, as it's harder for us to empty bins regularly
Dogs on nature reserves
We all love to get outdoors with our dogs, for the fantastic exercise and the chance to explore together. Please be an aware and responsible dog walker and help us keep Yorkshire’s wildlife safe this spring.
Test and Trace
When open, our cafes are required to collect the name and contact details of at least one member of every party of visitors (up to six people). The Government is strongly recommending the NHS COVID-19 app for Test and Trace which you can download in advance.
If you cannot/do not want to use this app then we will record your contact information on pen and paper, which will be stored securely. Legally we must comply with the new Test and Trace rules, We are sorry but we cannot serve you if you do not provide contact details for Test and Trace.
Risk assessment
We have developed a coronavirus (COVID-19) risk assessment and put in place measures to help protect our personnel, visitors, contractors and the communities within which we work. View our risk assessment.