Following rewilding principles on the land
How will we apply rewilding principles to the land?
We want to drive the large-scale restoration of nature’s web of life - habitats, natural processes and, where appropriate, missing species - until it can take care of itself, and us again. This is rewilding.
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Ecosystems are shaped by millions of years of co-evolution between living things and the water, air, sun and soil. We recognise the ways in which humans have pushed ecosystems to the brink. But we now have the knowledge of exactly how to regenerate them.
Natural grazing
Following ecological surveys and monitoring, we’ll introduce hardy cattle and Welsh mountain ponies, with Iron Age pigs to follow. These animals act as their extinct or missing wild ancestors once did - the aurochs, tarpan, and wild boar - each playing a unique role by grazing, browsing, and rooting.
Their behaviour generates a mosaic of habitats - grasslands, wood-pasture, closed-canopy forest and open spaces - that are rich in ecotones (the transition regions between two habitats) which are often richer and more dynamic in nature than the habitats on either side. It is in these edges where nature really comes to life, with more wildflowers, shrubs and trees, insects, birds, and mammals.
Natural grazing builds resilience, helping landscapes prevent or better withstand climate impacts like drought, fire, and flooding.
In comparison, if land is simply abandoned without natural grazers, it often becomes monopolised quickly by a few species (like bracken), resulting in unchanging, species-poor environments. The opposite of a thriving ecosystem.
While natural grazers are crucial to the healthy functioning of nature's web of life, it is equally important to control their numbers. A stock manager will be in place to do so. Too many, and overgrazing will diminish ecosystems. Nevertheless, these natural grazers will live wild, not as livestock.
We're also laying the groundwork for rewilding by:
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Shading river corridors to cool rising water temperatures, which is vital for aquatic life (pending a feasibility study and Natural Resources Wales approval, as the site is an SSSI).
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Removing barriers to our interventions like old drainage blockages, internal fencing, or invasive species, to allow peatlands and wildlife to recover fully.
Be part of a rewilding journey
Your donation supports:
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The recovery of a beautiful tapestry of native species and habitats, giving wildlife the space it needs to thrive once more.
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The restoration of vital peatlands that store carbon in the ground, enrich our soils, and keep water on the land - protecting local communities from flooding and wildfires.
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The creation of a wild haven for people to explore, connect with nature, and find peace and wellbeing in the natural world.
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Projects & activities that allow us to share our work with others and inspire a Wilder Wales for all.​
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What's more, this land is open for you to visit, so you can witness nature make its return in the knowledge that you made it happen!
Images: Deer in scrub (Knepp Wildlands), Tree (Mike Richard)