A conservation charity is seeking £54,000 to buy fields near its nature reserve which it says could be sold to developers.
The Durham Wildlife Trust needs to raise the money before October to buy the fields at the entrance to its Rainton Meadows reserve in Durham.
Emily Routledge, head of development and communications at the charity, said the trust had been trying to buy the land for years but the landowner had only recently considered its offer.
The trust wants to use the fields to expand the nature reserve, she said.
According to Ms Routledge, there has long been a desire to develop these fields.
The last planning application for housing was received by the local authority in 2018, she said.
If any plans are approved, they would be “really damaging” to the reserve, where more than 200 bird species have been recorded, Ms Routledge added.
Nearby housing developments would mean there would be more domestic cats nearby, she said.
“This would have significant adverse effects on ground-nesting birds.”
The Wildlife Trust must release funds from the Landfill Communities Fund by October.
The fields themselves cost £540,000 and the charity has to raise 10% of that itself to access the rest.
The campaign was launched on Thursday after letters were sent to members asking for donations and has already raised over £11,000.
If the property is purchased, the plan is to begin creating new wetlands on the site next year.
Follow BBC Sunderland on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook And InstagramSend your story ideas to [email protected].
More stories from BBC North East and Cumbria
Further Internet links
