New wilding charity to restore county landscapes

A new charity that will ‘stand up for nature in West Dorset’ has been launched.

West Dorset Wilding held its official launch event at Bridport’s Tiger Inn on Thursday, February 9.

A charity spokesperson said: “West Dorset Wilding has been set up by local landowners who are keen to work at a landscape scale to bring about the widespread restoration of nature in the area. It is seeking other farmers, landowners and land managers who want to champion nature, and for anyone, with or without land, to support our vision and get involved. Although people often think of West Dorset as a countryside idyll, it has suffered the same environmental problems over the past 70 years as much of the UK, including a massive drop in the numbers and variety of animals and plantsthe biodiversity. Just as natural habitats have become fragmented, people have also lost their connection to the natural world, something the charity is also looking to address.The charity aims to restore nature in West Dorset by collaborating with farmers, landowners, land-managers, regional partners and the local community on a variety of projects.”

The charity has two ‘streams’ of work – rewilding and regenerative agriculture. Rewilding includes very low intensity ‘wildland’ farming, natural colonisation of marginal farmland, wood pasture development, wetland creation and the reintroductions of native species.

Regenerative farming aims to improve the soil on which crops grow and livestock graze, reducing mechanisation, cultivation and chemicals and giving more space to nature. The charity also intends to deliver education and public awareness projects, anchored in the science.

The charity’s founding chair of trustees, Luke Montagu of Mapperton Estate, said: “Inspired and advised by the Knepp Estate, Mapperton is handing over 500 acres of marginal farmland back to nature, while promoting regenerative agriculture on our other farms.

“Through West Dorset Wilding we hope to encourage other farmers and landowners to consider a similar approach and believe that, in time, West Dorset can become a beacon of biodiversity for the rest of the country.”

Charity co-founder Philip Colfox of Symondsbury Estate said: “This autumn was the first time that we used regenerative techniques for our winter sown arable crops and the reduction in erosion over the winter, alongside an increase in wildlife, has substantially exceeded our expectations.”

Dr Sam Rose, a part-time executive director for the charity, added: “This is a fabulous opportunity to bring interested and inspiring people together to make a long-term difference for nature and the climate in our corner of the UK. All are welcome – sign up and get involved.” n Find out more at westdorsetwilding.org