A Century of Conservation: Charles Waterton and the Creation of the World’s First Wildlife Reserve

Charles Waterton, a naturalist in the 19th century, created Waterton Park as part of his family estate near Wakefield. The park is believed to be the world’s first nature reserve, designed with a focus on protecting wildlife. Waterton banned hunting and fishing on the grounds and built a boundary wall to keep out predators. This made it the first known example of a landscape created specifically to protect wildlife.

In addition to promoting conservation efforts, Waterton also planted new trees and undergrowth cover, creating new habitats for native birds. He allowed part of the lake to become swampy in order to benefit herons and waterfowl. As a result of his work, he recorded 5,000 wildfowl on the lake during one winter and noted 123 bird species in the park over the years.

Waterton recognized that humans could coexist with nature for their mutual benefit and encouraged visitors to connect with their surroundings at his park. Sarah Charlesworth, listing team leader for Northern England, praised Waterton as a visionary who understood the importance of protecting wildlife and human well-being. With Waterton Park’s recognition by Historic England’s protected register of parks and gardens, it is hoped that more people will become aware of its historical significance.