Exploring the potential: New funding to investigate the return of Norfolk’s lost frogs
We are delighted that we are awarding £15,000 from our Rewilding Innovation Fund to explore the possibility of bringing back three ‘missing’ amphibian species to the Norfolk landscape.
The ‘lost frogs’ project was recently featured by BBC News, highlighting the ambitious vision to restore nature’s complexity in the East of England.
Feasibility first
While the prospect of seeing the moor frog, tree frog, and agile frog back in English wetlands is incredibly exciting, the return of any species to Britain must follow the IUCN guidelines, and will always start with a robust feasibility study.
Rewilding Britain are proud to support species reintroduction feasibility studies through our Rewilding Innovation fund. Before any species can be reintroduced, we must ensure the conditions are right for them to thrive without negatively impacting the existing ecosystem and community. We have recently awarded £15,000 to Celtic Rewilding and West Acre estate to undertake a feasibility study into whether three lost frog species can be reintroduced.
What the funding will support
Responsible rewilding is rooted in science, legal rigour and community involvement. The funding will support Celtic Rewilding and West Acre estate to:
- Gather evidence: Assessing the current habitat to see if it can support these specific species.
- Plan and consult: Working with local communities and stakeholders to ensure the project has broad support.
- Legal compliance: Navigating the complex licensing and regulatory frameworks required for species reintroductions in England.
- Feasibility studies: Determining if these “missing” amphibians can play a functional role in Norfolk’s modern landscape.
Why these species?
Amphibians are vital indicators of ecosystem health. By exploring the reintroduction of the moor frog, tree frog, and agile frog, we aren’t just looking at individual species; we are looking at the health of our wetlands. Their presence would signal a landscape that is vibrant, connected, and functioning as it should.
A responsible path to recovery
At Rewilding Britain, we advocate for an evidence-based approach. By funding the planning and compliance stages, we ensure that every step taken is responsible, sustainable, and gives nature the best possible chance to bounce back.
We look forward to seeing the results of this investigation and learning more about how these tiny but mighty creatures might once again call Norfolk home.
