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Caring for a nationally important landscape

Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon are carefully managed to protect their unique wildlife, geology and habitats. Balancing conservation with public access, the Reserve is actively monitored and maintained to ensure it remains a thriving environment for species and a special place for people to enjoy responsibly.

How the Reserve is managed

The Reserve is managed to protect the exceptional wildlife, habitats and geological features of the Chesil and Fleet area, whilst enabling people to enjoy its unique qualities responsibly and sustainably. 

Management focuses on balancing conservation and ecology with public access and activities, ensuring that the Reserve’s unique natural qualities are protected and safeguarded for the future.

The area covered by the Chesil and Fleet Nature Reserve includes:

  • Chesil Bank from the western boundary (2km west of Abbotsbury Beach car park), to the Portland Boundary Stone opposite Wyke Regis.

  • Fleet Lagoon and the landward shores up to mean high water.

  • Smallmouth Cove on the east of Ferrybridge in Portland Harbour.

The Reserve Team

The small Reserve team works to promote responsible use of the landscape and raise awareness of its unique natural value. The team helps ensure that people can continue to experience and enjoy the area without putting its special qualities at risk.

The Reserve delivers its work with the occasional support from volunteers, partner organisations and neighbouring landowners. Its activities are wide-ranging and include maintaining infrastructure, monitoring wildlife and visitor impacts, removing litter and marine debris, and working closely with members of the public, landowners and partner organisations.

Partner organisations

The Reserve team works alongside a wide range of government bodies, partners, landowners and other organisations to ensure the Reserve is protected for today and the future. The organisations listed below are key partners with whom the Reserve works most closely on larger, ongoing projects. These sit alongside many others who support the Reserve in various ways.

Natural England

The UK government’s statutory adviser for the natural environment. Natural England works closely with the Reserve team to provide specialist advice, guidance and oversight, helping to ensure the Reserve is managed in line with national conservation objectives and best practice. This includes supporting habitat management, monitoring protected features and advising on activities that help safeguard the site’s internationally and nationally important wildlife.

Dorset Wildlife Trust

Manages the Wild Chesil Centre and works closely with the Reserve team on conservation, engagement and education. Dorset Wildlife Trust plays a key role in helping people understand and connect with the special wildlife and landscapes of the Chesil and Fleet, supporting conservation delivery alongside public engagement, learning and community involvement.

RSPB Little Tern Project

A vital project supporting the protection and recovery of Little Terns on Chesil. Working in partnership with the Reserve team and other organisations, the project helps safeguard nesting sites through monitoring, protection measures and public awareness, contributing to the long‑term conservation of this vulnerable coastal species.

The Crown Estate / Court Leet

As one of our largest neighbouring landowners, the Chesil and Fleet Nature Reserve maintains a strong and collaborative working relationship. This partnership supports coordinated land management, access considerations and conservation activity across shared boundaries, helping to ensure a joined‑up approach to protecting the wider landscape.

Chesil and Fleet Mitigation Project

Established in 2019 by Natural England to manage the impacts of recreation on the Chesil and Fleet Nature Reserve. The partnership brings together Natural England, Dorset Council, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Chesil and Fleet Nature Reserve, the Crown Estate, The Island and Royal Manor of Portland Court Leet, and the RSPB. It aims to raise the area's conservation profile and promote nature‑friendly recreation through engagement and targeted infrastructure projects.

The Environment Agency

Working closely with the Reserve team to monitor the Fleet Lagoon, its inlet streams and tributaries, with a particular focus on water quality, pollution monitoring and permits. The Agency also has a key role in managing risks associated with coastal flooding, erosion and habitat change within and around the Reserve.

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