Our work
Our team of ecologists work across the sanctuary’s sites to support our commitment to improve biodiversity and manage our land sustainably for the benefit of our donkeys, people and environment.
We occupy over 1,200 acres of farmland in Devon and Dorset, with much of it falling within the rolling hills of the East Devon National Landscape. This land provides our resident donkeys with summer grazing pastures and haylage for the winter, as well as supporting wildlife and their habitats.
We are exploring ways in which we can integrate the health and wellbeing of donkeys, people and the natural environment on sanctuary land. We want to enrich our donkeys’ lives and improve their welfare, safeguard the longevity and quality of our wildlife habitats and increase biodiversity, and give people the opportunity to connect with donkeys and nature.
This work is led by our ecology and conservation team through sustainable and regenerative land management, habitat restoration and enhancement, species monitoring and a conservation volunteer programme.
Work includes creating species-rich grassland, planting trees and restoring hedgerows – all of which provides healthy habitats for both wildlife and donkeys.
Donkeys use trees and hedges for shade and shelter, and benefit both nutritionally and behaviourally from opportunities to forage on species-rich pasture and browse on trees and woody vegetation. In turn, donkeys can increase grassland diversity and have a positive impact on their environment and their wildlife neighbours.
Wildlife surveys and habitat monitoring show that our woodlands, ponds, hedgebanks and grassland are home to dormice, birds, bats, butterflies, rare and wonderful types of funghi and waxcaps, as well as an array of invertebrates above and below ground.
The work of the team and volunteers is helping to ensure the sanctuary provides a healthy and resilient environment for donkeys, people and wildlife for now and the future.
Get involved
Your contribution will help us to enhance the biodiversity of our farms, and improve the landscape for generations of donkeys and visitors to come.
The conservation volunteer programme is run across our sites to carry out tasks such as hedge laying and planting, woodland management, grassland restoration and species monitoring. If you would like to donate your time and energy to help us with this work, we would love to see you.
Keen to help improve habitats for our donkeys and wildlife?
Our ecology and conservation work
Our conservation team and their volunteers have created homes for bees and other pollinators that will be located at various sites around the Sidmouth sanctuary.
Since 1993, World Water Day has raised awareness and encouraged action to tackle global water and sanitation issues. Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is a basic need for both humans' and donkeys' health and wellbeing.
A scheme that saw 3,000 young hedge plants and trees planted by The Donkey Sanctuary last winter is going from strength to strength with hundreds more being added to the total this year.
Donkeys and mules at one of our sanctuaries in Spain are benefitting from a land re-seeding programme designed to boost the enrichment and wellbeing of the herd.
The Donkey Sanctuary recently held a workshop with The Nature Conservancy in Canoas, northern Mexico, to explore ways of improving the welfare of donkeys and mules supporting an impoverished community working in forestry conservation.
To mark this year's International Day for Biological Diversity, we highlight how donkeys help to play a key role in our conservation work.
