About Us

Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve is managed by the Field Studies Council in partnership with the owners Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, Natural England and South Hams District Council. All the partners meet regularly at Slapton Committee meetings.

The Field Studies Council at Slapton Ley manages the 214 hectares nature reserve as an "outdoor laboratory" for education and conservation for over 50 years. The Centre established in 1959 is a base for educational courses and research, which integrate with reserve management. More research has probably been carried out at Slapton than on any other nature reserve in Britain.

Slapton Ley is leased from the owner Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust which promotes education and conservation through its ownership of Slapton Ley and Paignton Zoo Environmental Park.

Slapton Ley is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and was declared a National Nature Reserve (NNR) in 1993. Natural England is the government body responsible for managing advising on the management of SSSIs and NNRs.

The shingle ridge, including beach and car parks, is sub-leased to the South Hams District Council.

The four partners meet twice a year at a spring and autumn Land Management and Education & Science Sub-Committees. These committees report to the Slapton Committee in the last Sunday in April.