England's first community rewilding project has launched near Bere Regis

Part of the Wilder Dorset initiative, the county’s Wildlife Trust purchased 170 hectares of land near Bere Regis earlier this year and has since launched a fundraising appeal for the proposal.

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The project will eventually lead to 11 hectares of new woodland and 30 hectares of wetland being introduced.

Plans will see the creation of a new community orchard, a place to grow sustainable food and an area for people to visit all while establishing space for nature.

“Making more space for wildlife and nature is vital in addressing the climate and ecological crises,” said Brian Bleese, the chief executive of the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

“Through Wilder Dorset we will work with the local community to transform 170 hectares of former farmland into a haven for wildlife, making a major contribution to bringing back nature in Dorset.”

The project will see the former farmland left to nature to ‘take the lead’ and developed in conjunction with the surrounding community to give people an opportunity to connect with nature.

Using rewilding principles will mean species, which are already present, such as yellowhammer birds and orchid flowers, gain the restored habit they need to thrive.

Dorset Wildlife Trust also states that rewilding and rewetting land on this scale will contribute to tackling the climate crisis by increasing the amount of carbon in the land.

The plan aims to provide inspiration for further projects across the UK by gathering data in the initial stages on how the wildlife and land will respond in the coming years.

Doctor Rob Stoneman, director of landscape recovery at the Wildlife Trusts, said: “This is a stunningly ambitious rewilding project and the opportunities to restore the abundance and diversity in the area can now happen.

“This scale of ambition has never been more important as it comes at a time when the UK must dig deep to tackle the climate and nature crisis.

“Everyone can do their bit to help and how better than to reverse nature’s decline and help store carbon in the process?”

Dr Stoneman is urging residents to back the “inspirational project,” with people able to find out more information and donate to the cause via the Dorset Wildlife Trust's website.