Wild Ken Hill

At a glance

Location

Norfolk

Area

416 hectares

Start date

2019

Scale

Medium

Habitats

Lowland, Mixed woodland, Wood pasture, Grassland and meadow and Heathlands and shrub

Key species

Eurasian beaver, Red poll cattle, Tamworth pigs and Exmoor ponies

Rewilding actions

Extensive grazing and Species reintroduction

Engaging people

Volunteering, Citizen science, Education programme and Wellness programme

The Wild Ken Hill rewilding project has ambition to move away from existing agricultural and forestry techniques and allow wild nature to thrive. The project’s mission is to demonstrate that land can be used to tackle climate change, and improve air and water quality.

The project is looking to restore missing functions in the landscape, primarily by stepping back and managing nature’s recovery with a light touch. It wants to create a space for communities to explore and enjoy nature. Wild Ken Hill has ambitious plans for introducing new enterprises, such as camping, glamping and safaris, and educational and wellbeing pursuits.

The project has divided into three main approaches — a rewilding area, where beavers and grazers are being introduced, a traditional conservation approach for their coastal areas, and regenerative farming to continue to provide food in a sustainable and biodiverse way.

KICK-STARTING REWILDING

Cessation of arable farming and intensive grazing has begun to allow for the introduction of low density herbivores (Red Poll cattle, Tamworth pigs, Exmoor ponies). Natural regeneration will be allowed across the site, with some woodland thinning to encourage wood pasture habitats. Native species reintroduction, including beavers, to establish natural wetland dynamics have commenced within an enclosure.

Images: Wild Ken Hill