Support our sand lizards

Double your impact for England’s rarest lizard.

This April, Marwell Wildlife is taking part in Big Give Earth Raise, the UK’s largest environmental match-funding campaign.

For one week only, from midday 22 April to midday 29 April 2026, every donation made to our campaign will be doubled at no extra cost to you.

Together, we’re raising £20,000 to upgrade Marwell’s specialist breeding facility for the endangered sand lizard, helping to protect and restore this rare reptile in the wild.

Donate during the campaign and your gift will have twice the impact.

Why sand lizards need our help

The sand lizard is England’s rarest reptile.

Once widespread across southern England, sand lizard populations declined dramatically due to habitat loss, development and environmental pressures.

Today, they survive only in a handful of protected heathland sites.

Without continued conservation work, these small but remarkable reptiles could disappear from many of the landscapes they once called home.

Marwell’s conservation work

Marwell Wildlife has been working to protect sand lizards for over 30 years.

Since 1989, our conservation team has run a specialist breeding programme to support national efforts to restore the species. Today, Marwell operates one of only two captive breeding programmes in southern England.

Thanks to partnerships with conservation organisations and land managers:

More than 4,500 sand lizards have been released as part of reintroduction programmes.

Over 2,300 of these were bred at Marwell.

These efforts are helping to rebuild wild populations and restore sand lizards to their natural habitats.

The project: Improving Marwell’s breeding facilities

Funds raised through Big Give’s Earth Raise will support vital improvements to our sand lizard breeding habitats.

Your support will help us:

• Renovate and upgrade specialist breeding enclosures
• Create dedicated spaces for different life stages of sand lizards
• Improve habitat conditions that support breeding success
• Install camera technology to monitor behaviour and habitat use

These improvements will help us breed healthy young lizards ready for release, supporting long-term recovery of the species.

Double your donation for one week only

Every donation made during the campaign will be matched by the Big Give’s central fund, meaning your support goes twice as far.That means:

• Your £25 gift becomes £50
• Your £50 gift becomes £100
• Your £100 gift becomes £200

But match funding is only available between midday 22 April and midday 29 April, and only while funds last.

How you can help

By supporting Marwell’s campaign, you’ll be helping to:

• Protect one of Britain’s most threatened reptiles
• Strengthen conservation breeding programmes
• Support species recovery in the wild
• Restore biodiversity in Britain’s heathlands

One donation. Twice the impact for wildlife.

Donate