Deepdale Conservation Trust

Deepdale Conservation Trust is a specialised nature conservation organisation based in the Norfolk Coast National Landscape. Working with statutory authorities, environmental organisations, volunteers and landowners, it focuses on declining bird species through expert captive husbandry, habitat restoration and reintroduction.

The trust’s work includes headstarting Eurasian curlews in East Anglia. Eggs are collected under licence from Ministry of Defence airfields, where nesting birds can pose risks to aircraft, and chicks are raised until ready for release into the wild in Norfolk. It also manages the world’s only captive breeding population of corncrakes, releasing young birds into suitable habitat in the Lower Derwent Valley and working with Norfolk landowners to improve grassland for future releases.

Deepdale Conservation Trust operates at Marsh Farm, where restored wetlands, reedbeds and wet grassland support breeding waders and wider biodiversity. The site’s restoration has helped create productive habitat for species including redshank, lapwing and avocet. The trust also trains future species management professionals at its facilities and welcomes support through donations, volunteering and updates about its conservation work.