RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden in Suffolk future in question

Next year will see the RSPB carry out a review of the Flatford Wildlife Garden Nature Reserve, in south Suffolk, as it looks to tackle rising costs.

While the garden will remain open to the public, the charity has said a "comprehensive review of operations" has been carried out in order "to ensure its longer-term sustainability". 

The proposed changes could mean an alteration in management for the site. 

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A spokesperson for the charity said: "To ensure our longer-term sustainability, the RSPB has been reviewing its operations across the UK so that everything we do aligns to our charitable and strategic aims and delivers the most impact for nature possible, within the resource we have. 

"Our most recent challenge has been the global and domestic financial pressures of the past two years which have had an ongoing impact; not only on our finances, but also on the finances of our partners, members, and supporters, who are so crucial to helping us save nature. "

Flatford Wildlife Garden is one of seven sites which has question marks over its future. 

The spokesperson added the review "is not one we have undertaken lightly".

"We are incredibly proud that work delivered here by staff and volunteers over the years has influenced so many visitors to help nature thrive in their own gardens, villages and towns, and that connection with wildlife will be the long-term legacy of the RSPB’s work at this site," the statement continued.

"There are many different options for the future of Flatford Wildlife Garden, and arriving at these solutions will be a complex process that won’t happen overnight. 

"We are committed to an outcome that continues to conserve the land for nature."