RSPB Nature Reserves, UK

The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature. It formed in 1889, and bought its first nature reserve in 1930. It now manages 240 sites across the UK, and is one of the biggest wildlife protection charities in the world.

The charity brings people who love birds and other wildlife together, and who want to take action to restore the health and diversity of the natural world.

Signage plays a vital role in protecting the reserves, ensuring visitors are able to enjoy the spaces, without disrupting the natural integrity of the site. Signage is used to ensure visitors know where they can and can’t go, keeping the site and visitors safe while educating them about the flora and fauna around them.

The first site of the project was South Stack Nature Reserve on the Island of Anglesey, North Wales.

At a glance

• The RSPB is one of the world’s largest wildlife conservation charities

• It has a network of 240 nature reserves across the UK

• These reserves are open to the public, requiring clear wayfinding and educational signs

• It is in the process of replacing or overhauling its existing signage across its entire estate

• The project requirements included the removal and recycling of existing signage

• Morgans Consult managed the removal and recycling of existing signage where possible

• All external signage mounted on sustainably sourced British oak

• South Stack is the first completed site

Brief

In 2024, Morgans Consult was successful in its response to an RSPB tender to manage the manufacture, install and renewal management of signage across the charity’s UK-wide network of nature reserves. This project aims to replace or overhaul signage on all 240 nature reserves using sustainable materials, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity to all visitors.

The Solution

We’re supplying a range of sign types throughout this project, the majority of which are made from sustainably sourced British oak, with aluminium information panels. Install methods and locations keep the local flora and fauna in mind, and the oak has been chosen to weather, matching the surrounding environment over time.

The first reserve as part of the signage renewal project was South Stack on the Isle of Anglesey.

Our survey team spent time at South Stack back in February, conducting a meticulous survey of the reserve, alongside the client, to gain an accurate understanding of how visitors used the site, which existing signage needed to be extracted and disposed of, new signage placements, and advising on most appropriate fixing methods.

As part of our agreement with RSPB, we managed the removal, transport and recycling of their old signage.

Artwork was prepared in line with RSPB’s extensive brand guidelines. There was a phase of meticulous colour testing before final approved artwork was printed and applied the various substrates.

The oak was sourced and cut in our workshop, and final signage constructed before being batch delivered to the storage facility on Anglesey. Our install team spent a week on site removing existing signage and installing each item to the strict specifications of the client.

Install was carried out during July and August, a busy period for the nature reserve, and so our team needed to be mindful of the movement of traffic and visitor safety throughout