CORNWALL Wildlife Trust is calling for donations to its special 50th anniversary Cornwall Wildlife Appeal to help protect breathtaking habitats in the county, including a nature reserve in Gunnislake.

The appeal, the trust's biggest yet, aims to protect meadow and woodland wildlife in South East Cornwall.

Callum Deveney, head of nature reserves at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said: 'There is nothing better than walking through a meadow of wild flowers buzzing with insects, but sadly this is something few people get to experience these days.

'Our aim is to preserve this special habitat for the benefit of wildlife and for all to enjoy.'

Meadow nature reserves need special care. The main threat is the encroachment of scrubby plants such as bracken, bramble and non-native species. If left uncontrolled, they will invade the open meadows and replace the delicate grassland plants altogether. In turn, the meadow wildlife that depends on the plants would disappear.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust aims to combat this by cutting acres of scrub back, treating swathes of non-native species, as well as managing grazing animals which help to keep unwanted scrubs in check.

Sylvia's Meadow Nature Reserve in Gunnislake, is the richest orchid meadow in Cornwall, supporting seven species of these plants.

Greater and lesser butterfly-orchid can be found, which have delicate greenish-white flowers, as well as the heath spotted orchid with flowers of white, purple and mauve.

The best time to see orchids in bloom is June to July.

To carry out the vital conservation work, the trust must raise £11,500. So far, £5,020 has been raised and more is urgently needed.

If you love meadows and want to help them survive, consider making a donation to the Cornish meadow appeal and help save this valuable wildlife habitat.

To donate, visit http://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/appeal">www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/appeal, call 01872 273939 or post a cheque to Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Wildlife Appeal 2012, Five Acres, Allet, Truro, TR4 9DJ.