Butterfly Conservation (BC) is a UK-wide
nonprofit
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
environmentalist
An environmentalist is a person who is concerned with and/or advocates for the protection of the environment. An environmentalist can be considered a supporter of the goals of the environmental movement, "a political and ethical movement that se ...
organization and charity dedicated to
conserving butterflies
Butterflies are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. The group comprises ...
,
moth
Moths are a paraphyletic group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not butterflies, with moths making up the vast majority of the order. There are thought to be approximately 160,000 species of moth, many of w ...
s, and the environment. The charity uses its research to provide advice on how to conserve and restore butterfly and moth habitats and it runs projects to protect more than 100
threatened species
Threatened species are any species (including animals, plants and fungi) which are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future. Species that are threatened are sometimes characterised by the population dynamics measure of '' critical depen ...
of
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera ( ) is an order of insects that includes butterflies and moths (both are called lepidopterans). About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera are described, in 126 families and 46 superfamilies, 10 percent of the total described speci ...
. Butterfly Conservation is also involved in conserving hundreds of sites and reserves for butterflies and moths throughout the UK.
Butterfly Conservation has more than 37,000 members and 31 volunteer-led Branches throughout the UK, as well as the European Butterflies Group. The organisation's Head Office is based in
East Lulworth,
Dorset
Dorset ( ; archaically: Dorsetshire , ) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The ceremonial county comprises the unitary authority areas of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Dorset. Covering an area of , ...
, with additional offices in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
History
The organisation was originally formed in 1968 as the "British Butterfly Conservation Society" by a small group of naturalists and it was registered as a charity on 7 March 1968.
Butterfly Conservation is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468). Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP. Charity registered in England and Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) VAT No GB 991 2771 89.
Butterfly Conservation operates three of the world’s largest butterfly and moth recording schemes, which together have gathered more than 60 million records.
This includes the world’s largest butterfly survey - the Big Butterfly Count, launched in 2010). The citizen science survey encourages people to spot and record common butterflies and two day-flying moths during three weeks of high summer.
The charity also runs a number of moths schemes and conservation activities focusing solely on the conservation of moths that people can get involved in.
Butterfly Conservation produces three editions of its membership magazine ''Butterfly'' every year. The magazine is distributed to members, institutions, conservation bodies and others interested or involved in the conservation of butterflies, moths and related wildlife. The publication has an estimated readership of 60,000.
BC celebrated its 50th anniversary year in 2018. Sir David Attenborough became President of the society in 1998.
Function of the organisation
Butterfly Conservation is the UK charity dedicated to saving butterflies and moths.
Why butterflies and moths matter: Butterflies and moths are important parts of the ecosystem. They are beautiful and inspirational and people enjoy seeing them in their gardens and the countryside. They are sensitive to change and their fortunes help us assess the health of our environment. Two-thirds of butterfly and moth species are in decline. This is a warning that cannot be ignored.
Butterfly Conservation aims to maintain and enhance landscapes for butterflies and moths. The charity provides advice to landowners and managers on how to conserve and restore habitats. BC staff and volunteers work to gather extensive butterfly and moth data and conduct research to provide the scientific evidence that underpins and informs the charity's work.
Butterfly Conservation has an established record of reversing declines and run programmes for more than 100 threatened species of butterflies and moths.
Reserves
Butterfly Conservation manages over 30 nature reserves.
England
Scotland
Allt Mhuic Loch Arkaig
Loch Arkaig ( Scottish Gaelic: Loch Airceig) is a body of freshwater in Lochaber, Scotland, to the west of the Great Glen. It is approximately in length and lies above sea level, the maximum depth is around
The main tributaries are the Des ...
Mabie Forest Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway ( sco, Dumfries an Gallowa; gd, Dùn Phrìs is Gall-Ghaidhealaibh) is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland and is located in the western Southern Uplands. It covers the historic counties of Dumfriesshire, Kirkc ...
Wester Moss Stirling
Stirling (; sco, Stirlin; gd, Sruighlea ) is a city in central Scotland, northeast of Glasgow and north-west of Edinburgh. The market town, surrounded by rich farmland, grew up connecting the royal citadel, the medieval old town with its me ...
Wales
Caeau Ffos Fach Cross Hands
Cross Hands is a town in Carmarthenshire, Wales, approximately from Carmarthen.
Cross Hands Public Hall is one of only three of its kind in Wales. The Public Hall was erected in 1920 and designed by an unknown Italian designer in the classic A ...
Eyarth Rocks Ruthin,
Denbighshire
Denbighshire ( ; cy, Sir Ddinbych; ) is a county in the north-east of Wales. Its borders differ from the historic county of the same name. This part of Wales contains the country's oldest known evidence of habitation – Pontnewydd (Bontnewy ...
Organisational structure
Sir
David Attenborough
Sir David Frederick Attenborough (; born 8 May 1926) is an English broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and author. He is best known for writing and presenting, in conjunction with the BBC Natural History Unit, the nine natural histo ...
has served as President of the charity since 1998.
Chief Executive Role
2017–present day: Julie Williams
2003 - 2016: Dr. Martin Warren
Vice Presidents: Maurice Avent,
Nick Baker, John F Burton, Dudley Cheeseman, Sue Collins, The Earl of Cranbrook, David Dennis,
Mike Dilger
Mike Dilger (born 7 November 1966) is an English ecologist, ornithologist, television presenter, and the wildlife reporter on the BBC television programme ''The One Show''. He attended the University of Nottingham and UCNW Bangor in north Wales ...
, Clive Farrell, Julian Gibbs, Ian Hardy MVO, David Hanson, Anthony Hoare,
Chris Packham
Christopher Gary Packham CBE (born 4 May 1961) is an English naturalist, nature photographer, television presenter and author, best known for his television work including the CBBC children's nature series '' The Really Wild Show'' from 1986 ...
,
Prof Jeremy Thomas OBE and
Alan Titchmarsh MBE.
Prior to his death in 2004,
Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury
}
Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury Baronet, Bt (22 May 1938 – c. 5 November 2004), styled Lord Ashley between 1947 and 1961, and Earl of Shaftesbury from 1961 until his death, was a British peerage, British peer from Wimborne St G ...
served as a Vice president of the charity.
Earl of Shaftesbury's Obituary
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The organisation has over 30 volunteer-led Branches across the UK, with offices based in England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
an
Wales
UK Branch offices
Bedfordshire and Northants Branch
Cambridgeshire and Essex Branch
Cheshire and Wirral Branch
Cornwall Branch
Cumbria Branch
Devon Branch
Dorset Branch
East Midlands Branch
East Scotland Branch
Glasgow and South West Scotland Branch
Gloucestershire Branch
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Branch
Hertfordshire and Middlesex Branch
Highlands and Islands Branch
Kent and South East London Branch
Lancashire Branch
Lincolnshire Branch
Northern Ireland Branch
Norfolk Branch
North East England Branch
North Wales Branch
South Wales Branch
Somerset and Bristol Branch
Suffolk Branch
Sussex Branch
Upper Thames Branch
Warwickshire Branch
West Midlands Branch
Wiltshire Branch
Yorkshire Branch
Th
European Butterflies Group
has also been established as a BC volunteer-led Branch, which promotes the study, conservation and enjoyment of butterflies, moths and their habitats in Europe. See als
BC Europe
References
External links
Butterfly Conservation
Big Butterfly Count
Butterfly Conservation on Facebook
Butterfly Conservation on Twitter
Butterfly Conservation on Instagram
{{Authority control
1968 establishments in the United Kingdom
Biology organisations based in the United Kingdom
Butterfly organizations
Conservation in the United Kingdom
Environmental charities based in the United Kingdom
Organisations based in Dorset
Organizations established in 1968
Purbeck District