Dorset Mammal Group

The Dorset Mammal Group (DMG) is a UK-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of wild mammals in Dorset and surrounding areas. Registered as a charitable incorporated organization (CIO) with the Charity Commission under charity number 1196394, the group focuses on wildlife monitoring, research, education, and community engagement to support mammal welfare and biodiversity.

Mission and Aims

The Dorset Mammal Group aims to promote the conservation, protection, and understanding of mammals within Dorset. Its key objectives include:

• Monitoring local mammal populations
• Investigating factors impacting their welfare
• Providing advice on coexistence between humans and mammals
• Raising public awareness and education about mammal conservation
• Supporting and training volunteers and rehabilitators for mammal welfare

Activities

The group undertakes various activities to achieve its mission:

Conservation and Monitoring
DMG conducts surveys and research to monitor mammal populations in Dorset, contributing to scientific knowledge and informing conservation efforts.

Hedgehog Conservation Project
One of the group's flagship initiatives is a comprehensive campaign to reverse the decline of the hedgehog population in Dorset. This involves:

• Encouraging residents to create hedgehog-friendly habitats by allowing garden access through holes under fences, abstaining from pesticides like slug pellets, and providing food and water.
• Engaging over thirty towns and villages in Dorset to participate in habitat-friendly practices.
• Supporting hedgehog rescuers through training programs and fostering networks.
• Collaborating with veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators to establish integrated rescue and care systems.
• Participating in international research networks such as the European Hedgehog Research Group to stay updated on scientific developments[1][3].

Education and Training
The group delivers educational presentations, publishes informational materials such as booklets on mammal-friendly gardening practices, and organizes training days for local council groundsmen and wildlife carers. It has also subsidized attendance for local delegates to wildlife hospital courses focused on mammal rehabilitation[1][3].

Community Engagement
Membership is open to anyone interested in mammal welfare. Volunteers play a central role in fieldwork, education, and rescue efforts, with around 50 volunteers supporting the charity's work. DMG also acts as an umbrella body providing advocacy, advice, and support to the public and local groups[1][4].

Governance and Finances

The Dorset Mammal Group is governed by a board of seven trustees and operates with a volunteer workforce. The charity does not employ staff with benefits exceeding £60,000 and does not have trading subsidiaries. Its financial activities focus on conservation and educational purposes, with a reported income of £23,457 and expenditure of £3,040 for the financial year ending June 2024. Trustees serve without remuneration, and the organization maintains policies on safeguarding, financial controls, and volunteer management to ensure good governance[2][4].

Geographical Scope

The group operates primarily within the county of Dorset, including the boroughs of Bournemouth and Poole. Its conservation efforts and public engagement activities are targeted at benefiting both local wildlife populations and the general public[4].

Affiliations

While independent, the Dorset Mammal Group is part of broader national and international conservation networks, including links to The Mammal Society and the European Hedgehog Research Group, facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange within the mammal conservation community[1][3][5].

The Dorset Mammal Group remains a key player in local wildlife conservation in Dorset, fostering community involvement and advancing mammal protection through research, education, and practical action.

[1] https://dorsetmammalgroup.wordpress.com [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1196394&subId=0 [3] https://dorsetmammalgroup.wordpress.com/hedgehogs-2/ [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5181812/full-print [5] https://mammal.org.uk/local-groups/find-a-group