Welcome to the YACWAG website

YACWAG has been working for people and wildlife in Yatton and Congresbury for over 25 years. Use the menu at the top of the screen to find out more. YACWAG is run entirely by volunteers and there are lots of ways to get involved. Please become a member and support nature in Yatton and Congresbury - and beyond. Members receive a newsletter six times a year with details of events and activities. Most events are posted on the Calendar here with an easy-to-use listing below.

Events

Latest news

One of the UK’s rarest bats makes a Strawberry Line appearance

YACWAG has notched up a new record for North Somerset. A Bechstein’s bat was discovered by YACWAG members when checking in on one of their bat boxes on the Strawberry Line. The Bechstein's bat is one of the rarest bats in the UK.

Saved for Nature!

A small victory has been won for nature in Yatton. Residents have rallied to help YACWAG take a one-time opportunity to buy a new piece of land.

Tony Moulin, YACWAG’s Chairperson, explained, ‘The field next to our original Kenn Moor Reserve came up for sale and that prompted a discussion between local residents and YACWAG about a partnership to buy the four-acre site next door.’

Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group has been creating nature reserves around the two North Somerset parishes for 25 years. This latest purchase makes a total of 15 fields where nature is a top priority. In those 25 years Barn Owls and Kestrels have returned to Congresbury Moor thanks to the rough grassland management which encourages an abundance of the voles they feed on. On Kenn Moor Reserve YACWAG has created damp conditions enjoyed by wetland birds like Snipe that spend the winter there. The fields are also used by badgers, otters, deer and foxes.

The land will be allowed to recover slowly from years of horse grazing and YACWAG will be keeping a close eye on what nature does next. Light grazing by cattle will help insects and let the land recover.

The residents of Bramblewood who raised half the money know they now have a special place for nature on their doorstep forever. YACWAG is grateful to them and also to the two local residents who left YACWAG money in their wills which enabled the charity to complete the purchase.

Tony said, ‘These are tough times for nature, with climate change affecting most wildlife and our green spaces under all kinds of pressures, but with the support of the community YACWAG can continue to provide safe havens to give nature its best chance.’

Our nature reserves

Protecting your natural environment for generations to come

Our nature reserves are owned by YACWAG and held for us by the Official Custodian of Trustees, which means that come what may our sites will remain for nature and the community for ever. Where possible we are working to extend all our sites.

Learn about wildlife

Know your neighbours in nature and how to help them

Get involved

Participate in any way you can

YACWAG needs volunteers to help with the running of the charity. If you could help at local events on a YACWAG stall or develop educational activities that would fill a gap. We could use your skills in art, photography, administration, event organisation, wildlife surveying, etc. Even if you have no experience, if you are interested in doing something please let us have your ideas. Lots of our best work has started that way.

Fundraising

Help support our efforts