Community Nature Reserve

Are you interested in helping people and nature to thrive together in Thornbury? If so, why not join the Thornbury Community Nature Reserve?

A Community Nature Reserve (CNR) is a local project where neighbours come together to support wildlife and improve green spaces. Instead of one person managing a nature reserve, each resident contributes a part of their garden or outdoor space to create connected habitats.

Whether you have a garden, an allotment, or even just a window box, you can take part by registering your space to help build a CNR in Thornbury. All you need to do is tell us what you’ve been doing to help nature thrive. From planting wildflowers to putting up a bird box, simple actions can have a BIG impact on nature right on your doorstep. On registering, we will send you a wildlife-friendly gardening hints and tips pack, window sticker and free packet of native wildflower seeds.

Joining also gives you the chance to share your tips and experiences to inspire others or learn new ways to make your space work harder for nature. You’re also encouraged to record wildlife sightings, including birds, insects, and mammals. 

The folks at Warmley Community Nature Reserve and the Avon Wildlife Trust tell you more about what a CNR is and how it works here: https://fb.watch/ICUs7uJGQe/

Help Build the Community Nature Reserve

Register your space to help build the Community Nature Reserve

Share your tips and experiences to inspire others.

Connect with like-minded people.

Learn new ways to enhance your space.

Your space can be a garden, allotment or even just a window box – all are welcome.

We now have a Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/9018214418306558?locale=en_GB

Join the Facebook group to see news and updates, connect with other members and get more out of your community network.


How to register


Complete the online form or download and print the form (link below) and return it to us by email, post or in-person.

Visit us in Town Hall, High Street, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 2AR (during office hours). Hard copies will also be available at the library and Thornbury Town Hall reception.

Not sure where to start on your wildlife-friendly gardening journey, or looking for some tips on a specific subject? Check out our wildlife-friendly gardening guide which you can view and download below.

What to See and Do in the Wildlife-friendly Garden - August

This year has been exceptionally dry and hot, with much of Southern England now officially experiencing drought conditions. For our native wildlife, this can create some challenges, especially in accessing food and water.

For animals like hedgehogs and badgers, who feed largely on small invertebrates such as earthworms and slugs, hard ground and hot, dry conditions can be particularly difficult. Wet dog or cat food will be gratefully received by nocturnal visitors. Badgers will also enjoy fruit, unsalted peanuts, or root veggies like carrots. A source of fresh water that is regularly changed will also be welcomed by lots of creatures.

There are some wildlife winners in these hot, dry conditions, however. 2026 is looking like a good year for some pollinators and other invertebrates. Moth experts, for example, are reporting that it is a bumper year for migratory butterflies and moths, including the striking hummingbird hawk moth, who comes to the UK for the summer from continental Europe and North Africa.

At a recent ‘moth trapping’ event at the Mundy Playing Fields, we spotted more than 30 different species of moth! Contrary to popular belief, many moths fly during the day, and many are beautifully showy and colourful. Planting for pollinators and allowing some ‘weeds’ to flourish can help get your garden buzzing. This Cinnabar moth, for example, relies on ragwort to feed its caterpillars.

Lots of moths also means lots of bats! There is still time to get out at dusk, perhaps with one of our free-to-borrow bat detectors and see which night flyers are visiting your garden. Just visit our Events and Projects page to reserve your detector: https://thornburytowncouncil.gov.uk/page/events-projects

Community Nature Reserve Locations

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