Herdwick sheep
If you're looking for an original gift, why not sponsor one of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust's sheep?
Our sheep play a vital role in the management of our nature reserves. Hardy and resilient, our small flocks graze some of our grassland reserves. They eat the coarser vegetation, allowing a wide variety of finer grasses and wildflowers to flourish.
Please help us look after our flocks by sponsoring a sheep. £30 will sponsor the costs of feed, vets’ bills, transporting the sheep between the nature reserves and shearing. It also helps us purchase more sheep.
As a sponsor, you will receive a certificate acknowledging your support, a free gift and a twice-yearly report.
Where our sheep graze
Herdwick, Beulah speckled face and Welsh mountain sheep graze from late summer through to the beginning of the following spring at Carr Vale near Bolsover. They then spend the spring and early summer at The Avenue Washlands near Chesterfield.
The Hebridean flock can be seen at Willington Gravel Pits in the Trent Valley during the spring and summer. They are then moved to nearby Hilton Gravel Pits for the autumn and winter.
The Sheep
Hebrideans
These distinctive black, horned sheep are a hardy breed that thrive on poor vegetation that would not be eaten by other breeds. Their tough feet tolerate wet conditions well.
Herdwicks
The Herdwick is renowned for long life and is very hardy. A taste
for less palatable grasses and other vegetation makes it an ideal
choice for conservation grazing.
Welsh Mountain
Welsh Mountain sheep are extremely hardy and were originally bred to graze large areas of upland Wales, where only the toughest survive the freezing winters and prolonged rainfall. They are usually white all over.
Beulah Speckled Face
This is a hardy breed from Wales and is one of the larger breeds on our reserves. They have unique black speckled faces and legs but their fleece is always white.
To sponsor a sheep - simply fill in the form, print it out and send it to:
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, East Mill, Bridge Foot, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1XH