Purbeck Guitar Festival to support Dorset Wildlife Trust
At its heart, the Purbeck Guitar Festival is about more than extraordinary music — it’s about connection. This year, that connection extends beyond the stage to the landscapes that surround us, through our partnership with the Dorset Wildlife Trust.
We’re proud to be supporting Dorset Wildlife Trust as our chosen charity for this year’s festival, pledging 20% of all profits to help protect the county’s wildlife and wild places. Throughout the festival, there will be opportunities to learn more about their vital work, with volunteers on hand to talk about how you can get involved and make a difference.
We’re also delighted to welcome the Trust’s President, George McGavin, who will be taking to the stage to share insights into conservation and the importance of protecting our natural world. He’ll be joined by Chief Executive Brian Bleese, offering a closer look at the Trust’s work and its impact across Dorset.
A Perfect harmony: Donovan and the environment
Our headline act, Donovan, is a natural fit for this partnership. For decades, his music has carried themes of peace, nature, and environmental awareness — long before these conversations became mainstream.
Since the 1960s, Donovan has woven a deep appreciation for the natural world into his songwriting. His connection to environmental issues is not just artistic, but deeply personal. In recognition of this, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters for Ecology in 2003 by the University of Hertfordshire.
Eco Song album
More recently, in 2019, he released Eco-Song, a collection of 21 climate-focused songs dedicated to Greta Thunberg and the global student movement calling for urgent action on climate change. It’s a powerful reminder that music can do more than entertain — it can inspire awareness and change.
Find out more about the album on Donovan’s official website.
Protecting Dorset’s wild places
For over 60 years, Dorset Wildlife Trust has been at the forefront of conservation across the county. As Dorset’s largest nature conservation charity, they care for 42 nature reserves, manage four visitor centres, and work alongside landowners, communities, and partners to restore and protect vital habitats.
From reintroducing rare species such as beavers and ladybird spiders, to safeguarding iconic landscapes like Kingcombe and Dorset’s precious heathlands, their work is both wide-reaching and deeply impactful. Supported by over 27,000 members and dedicated volunteers, the Trust continues to lead the way in creating a more sustainable future for local wildlife.
Their ambitious strategy, A Wilder Dorset by 2030, sets out a vision for expanding and reconnecting natural spaces, helping wildlife to thrive while encouraging communities to play an active role in nature’s recovery.
A community coming together: saving Upton Heath
One recent success story highlights exactly what can be achieved when people come together for nature.
When a vital parcel of land at Upton Heath was at risk — facing potential development and long-term environmental damage — the response from the community was extraordinary. In just two weeks, supporters raised over £100,000, unlocking further funding from local councils and donors to secure the land for conservation.
Thanks to this effort, rare species such as sand lizards, Dartford warblers, and smooth snakes now have a protected future. The land forms a crucial ecological corridor within this important Site of Special Scientific Interest, allowing for habitat restoration, reduced wildfire risk, and improved access for local communities.
As Brian Bleese reflected, he was “totally overwhelmed” by the response — a powerful testament to what can be achieved when people unite to protect the natural world.
Music, meaning, and making a difference
This year’s Purbeck Guitar Festival brings together world-class music and a shared commitment to something bigger. With Donovan’s enduring connection to environmental themes and our partnership with Dorset Wildlife Trust, the festival becomes more than an event — it becomes part of a wider movement.
As you enjoy the music, explore the festival, and take in the beauty of Purbeck, you’re also helping to support the protection of Dorset’s wildlife for generations to come.
Because great music doesn’t just move us — it can help protect the world we live in.
Book tickets to see Donovan at the Purbeck Guitar Festival on Saturday 23rd May.
Or find out the full line up for the weekend on the Purbeck Guitar Festival website.
