Worcestershire Wildlife Trust was founded in 1968 to conserve, protect and restore the country's wildlife. From its headquarters at Lower Smite Farm in Hindlip, the Trust runs and manages over 70 nature reserves and more than 2,000 acres of important wildlife sites, as well as providing a local information base and taking the message of conservation to young people through work with local schools and its own children's group Watch.

The Trust is involved with many special projects to protect endangered species, and in particular it looks after important areas in the environment such as lowland heaths, the UK's most threatened habitat, and wetlands like pools and marshes. The region's ancient woodlands are the last remnants of the prehistoric forests, while more than a quarter of the few remaining wildflower meadows in England are located in Worcestershire - conserving these is important for historical reasons and for ensuring that rare species of flora and fauna continue to survive there.

Entirely reliant on donations from the public or corporate bodies, the Trust already has 15,000 members, many of whom are active in localised groups and volunteer to take part in special projects. The Trust is always looking for new ways to get more people involved, and recently launched a scheme whereby people can "adopt" an endangered species either for themselves or as an unusual gift for a loved one.

The Adopt a Species project offers a choice of six animals - dormouse, stag beetle, water vole, brown hare, otter and barn owl - all of which are priorities for conservation. Starting at £10, the donations will help Worcestershire Wildlife Trust to protect the animals' habitats, and those who adopt will receive a certificate, fact sheet, photograph and pop-up cut-out model of their animal.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust is also inviting people to dedicate a fruit tree in memory of a special person or to commemorate an event.

The trees will form part of a new orchard at Lower Smite Farm, growing traditional, local varieties of fruit such as the Pershore Plum, the Lord Hindlip, King Charles Pearmain and Pitmaston Pineapple apples, and the Worcester Black, Judge Amphlett and Pitmaston Duchess pears. As well as providing a reminder of the person or event, the trees will continue the historic traditions of the Worcestershire landscape.

For a donation of £100, the Trust will plant a tree on the donor's behalf or dedicate an existing young tree, while a book recording the dedications will be maintained at the headquarters. Lower Smite Farm is open on weekdays from 9am-5pm when staff will point out your tree, and the orchard is also accessible during daylight hours when the offices are closed.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Lower Smite Farm, Hindlip, Worcestershire. WR3 8SZ. Tel 01905 754919 www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk