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| The Bempton Cliffs seabird reserve in Yorkshire is unlikely to be affected - it has been rated as Category 2 for species conservation and Category 1, the highest, for popularity with visitors |
AN uncertain future beckons for some 60 of the RSPB's 222 nature reserves - plus the staff and volunteers who run them.
Because of inflation, the society says it is struggling to keep up with the cost of running the network.
For the past 18 months, it has therefore been undertaking what it describes as a 'Reserves Categorisation' exercise as it seeks to make savings of £12-million.
This has prompted speculation that some reserves - particularly smaller 'Category 4' woodland sites - may be 'mothballed' or even disposed of entirely. There is also talk of assistant wardens' posts being axed.
At the society's AGM, held online earlier this month, chief executive Beccy Speight declined to provide details while the review was ongoing.
She told attendees "Our network of reserves - plus their staff and volunteers - will always be the beating heart of what we do.
"But maintaining the reserves represents more than half our annual expenditure. Our income is growing strongly but not at the same rate as our costs.
"As part of our evolution, we have to take a hard look at ourselves and what we need to do differently.
"Already we have closed some offices and changed some of our suppliers, and we have to look at our reserves.
"We must continue to adapt and to focus our resources where they are most needed."
Ms Speight said investment would continue to be directed to those reserves which rated highly either for their species and/or habitat conservation value or for their popularity with visitors.
But, to help achieve long-term financial sustainability, there was the prospect of investment being reduced or withdrawn at reserves where the outcomes were "less profitable".
"It is the sensible thing to do," she declared. "We need to get the most bang for our bucks."
Beccy Speight - 'prioritisation'
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