Beta site under development
Wilder Wight, creating opportunities for nature and people by restoring the environment at a landscape scale.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts all standing up for the natural world. For over 60 years, we have dedicated our efforts to conserving wildlife and wild places across our two counties. With the invaluable support of volunteers and members, the Trust manages over 60 nature reserves, with 16 of those being on the Isle of Wight.
Our strategy, Wilder 2030, sets out our ambitious vision to put nature into recovery on land and at sea. Working with other organisations, we are protecting, restoring and connecting wildlife sites across the Island, bringing wildlife back and harnessing the power of nature-based solutions to help tackle climate change and pollution, and improve soil health. We work to support, inspire and empower people to take action for nature in their local community.
On the Isle of Wight, we are undertaking bold and visionary projects, focusing on landscape and seascape scale recovery through rewilding, restoring ecosystems and reinstating missing species. The aim? To heal damaged environments, enable wildlife to bounce back, promote sustainability, and contribute to the local economy, delivering for both wildlife and people.
Central to our vision are our two rewilding initiatives at Wilder Little Duxmore and Wilder Nunwell. These projects showcase our dedication to nature recovery and climate adaptation. By allowing natural processes to flourish, these two rewilding sites create habitats where wildlife can thrive, help restore our precious soil and mitigate pollution in the Solent.
Both sites were former arable farms that were subject to high levels of fertiliser inputs, growing mainly maize for anaerobic digestion. Since taking on the sites, we have ceased all artificial inputs, allowing the land time to recover. While the sites still need some management, we allow nature to lead, implementing grazing from rare livestock breeds including Exmoor ponies and Belted Galloway cows, with help from Nunwell Home Farm.
This approach has led to remarkable success, and we have seen wildlife quickly bounce back in abundance, proving that wildlife recovers when given opportunity and space. For example, we have recorded over 75 bird species across both sites including those listed on the Birds of Conservation Concern 5 list, such as snipe and skylark.
Our efforts extend beyond these flagship projects. We currently own 300 acres along the Eastern Yar and are working to increase our land holding and work with landowners in this area – a strategic plan that will enable us to create a continuous corridor of connected wetland habitats. This connectivity is essential for wildlife movement and resilience, enabling species to adapt and thrive in an environment being impacted by climate change.
The wild release of beavers is a crucial part of our strategy for the Eastern Yar. These remarkable ecosystem engineers help restore waterways, reduce flood risks, and create wetlands that act as vital carbon sinks. Their presence would revitalise the river's natural functions, reconnect the floodplain, and enhance the valley's resilience against climate change, benefiting both people and wildlife.
Our work encompasses marine habitats too, and through our Solent Seagrass Restoration Project and the Solent Seascape Project we are restoring important seagrass meadows not only for their role in supporting precious marine wildlife, but for the ecosystem services they provide.
Collaboration amplifies our impact, allowing us to leverage diverse expertise and resources to achieve our ambitious goals. We work closely with a range of partners such as The Garlic Farm, Isle of Wight National Landscape, National Trust, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Arc Biodiversity & Climate, Natural England and many other local stakeholders. These partnerships foster a shared vision for the Island’s future, and demonstrate that collaboration achieves amazing results for wildlife and people.
By working together, we are creating a resilient and sustainable landscape that benefits everyone. At Wilder Nunwell, this is evident with our partnership with Nunwell Home Farm. This site particularly exemplifies how conservation and farming can coexist and support each other. These collaborations not only enhance biodiversity but also contribute to the local economy, demonstrating that nature recovery and regenerative farming are complementary objectives.
The Trust is proud to be a significant contributor to the Island’s rural economy. Currently, we employ 13 dedicated individuals on the Island who are passionate about our mission, and we anticipate this number to grow in the coming years. Our presence on the Isle of Wight is about more than conservation; it’s also about fostering a vibrant, sustainable community where nature and people can thrive together, which is evident in our Wilder Wight communities project.
We are driving a transformative vision for a Wilder Wight. We are committed to nature recovery and climate adaptation. Our collaborative approach, working with partners and landowners, ensures that our efforts are inclusive and far-reaching. As we continue to grow and expand our impact, we remain steadfast in our mission to create a landscape where nature thrives, and the local economy develops. Together, we are making a difference for the benefit of wildlife and people on the Island.
The Trust would like to thank all the photographers whose stunning images bring this article to life.Chalk Hill Blue Butterfly © Chris Button, Exmoor ponies at Wilder Little Duxmore © Strong Island, Wilder Nunwell © Strong Island, Kestrel © Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography, Red Squirrel © Bret Charman.
