World's first nature reserve In 1805, Charles Waterton inherited the family estate at Walton Hall. He initially returned there in 1813 and settled more permanently in 1821 after returning from exploring and managing his uncle' slave plantations in British Guiana. Unusually for the time he was committed to nature conservation rather than hunting and game shooting for sport, which caused significant loss of native fauna. Between 1821 and 1826, he turned Waterton Park into a wildlife haven, designed to support and protect native and migratory species, especially birds.
World's first nature reserve In 1805 Charles Waterton inherited the family estate at Walton Hall. He initially returned there in 1813 and settled more permanently in 1821 after returning from exploring and managing his uncle' slave plantations in British Guiana. Unusually for the time he was co,mmitted to nature conservation rather than hunting and game shooting for sport, which caused significant loss of native fauna. Between 1821 and 1826 he turned Waterton Park into a wildlife haven, designed to support and protect native and migratory specie,s, especially birds.