The reserve is a particularly good place to see adders and lizards, it supports a rich variety of water beetle and dragonfly species, and is one of the last places in Yorkshire where the Marsh St. John's-wort thrives. To learn more about this lowland heath habitat, visit the Habitat page.

Tomorrow's Heathland Heritage, led by English Nature and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is a nationwide initiative to restore and re-create Britain's heathland. The five-year Vale of York programme involves restoring remaining heathland at Allerthorpe, Strensall, Skipwith, South Cliffe and Cali Heath, all of which are regarded as of national and regional significance.

Following tree clearance by Forest Enterprise, we are restoring an adjacent piece of land to heathland, to further support the wildlife of the common.

More volunteers are urgently needed to help restore and maintain this important habitat. To find out about volunteering opportunities, visit the Working Parties page.

Managing nature reserves like Allerthorpe Common is only made possible by the support of our members. If you are not already a member of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and would consider joining, visit our Membership page.