Charity, Nature & Wildlife | Posted on November 20th, 2025 | return to news

Adopt a Dorset animal for Christmas

Dorset Wildlife Trust has a variety of ideas for the people who would prefer to give or receive an eco-friendly gift.

Each year, it seems to get harder and harder to choose Christmas gifts for friends and family, but there is one idea that is truly heartwarming.

Dorset Wildlife Trust has a range of eco-friendly presents, from digital adoptions and e-cards to wildlife-themed courses and clothing. These are perfect for anyone who cares about the environment and wants to make a difference to their local wildlife.

New this year is the opportunity to adopt a Dorset seal. With their soulful eyes and playful charm, seals are among the most captivating creatures seen along Dorset’s coastline. Sadly, they face increasing threats from pollution, marine litter, and human disturbance.

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s brand-new digital seal adoption helps fund essential research and habitat protection, ensuring these charismatic animals continue to thrive. Other digital wildlife adoptions on offer include hedgehog, beaver, red squirrel, seahorse and barn owl. With no physical packaging and minimal carbon footprint, digital adoptions bring the reassurance that all the profits go towards making a real difference to wildlife in need.

Laura McLellan, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s head of fundraising, said: “Choosing a digital wildlife adoption for a friend or loved one this Christmas is more than a thoughtful gesture — it’s a powerful way to support nature. These sustainable, plastic-free gifts help create more space for wildlife, restore vital habitats, and invest in a future where wildlife can thrive. By supporting Dorset Wildlife Trust in this way, you’re joining a community committed to protecting Dorset’s wildlife and wild places. Together, we can tackle the ecological and climate crises — starting with the choices we make this Christmas.”

Other wild gift options include a Dorset Wildlife Trust gift membership for friends and family or remembering a loved one with a handcrafted bench on a nature reserves. Wildlife-themed courses such as fungi foraging or bird identification at Kingcombe Visitor Centre also make unique, thoughtful gifts. And sending e-cards this year would reduce waste — and save on the cost of stamps — whilst supporting conservation.

For those who prefer to shop in person, the Wild Chesil Centre at Portland offers a fantastic range of wildlife-themed gifts in the shop combined with the opportunity to enjoy refreshments at the Salt Pig cafe. Open daily from 10am–4pm except on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Explore the full range of eco-friendly wild gifts at dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop.