Wilder Blean Woods Complex

The acquisition and restoration over time of 1500ha of wood pasture, wet woodland and broadleaved woodland through natural regeneration. Linked to the pioneering first use of European bison as woodland graziers in the UK.

Cost
Funded
Hectares
tCO2e Total Saved

Ray Lewis

Project Vision

Wilder Blean Landscape Project

The Wilder Blean Landscape Project, is an exciting long-term project to connect the core woodland reserves in the Blean complex, North of Canterbury through the acquisition and reversion of 1550 Ha of predominantly poor or moderate arable land to broadleaved woodland or wood pasture. The project is split into several sub-elements based upon discrete land acquisition opportunities– invest now to support this rolling, long-term programme.

The Aim

Rewild

This supports the Kent Wildlife Trust led vision for a Wilder Blean – the largest broad-leaved woodland complex in Southern England.

Using (re)wilding opportunities and natural regeneration to connect up existing woodland through a network of naturally restored woodland and wood pasture habitat with low-intensity grazing; including with European bison. Re-naturalising of water features and longer-term the reintroduction of species including beavers to provide more wetting of the site, pine marten and red squirrel. This creation of a resilient, connected landscape of diverse habitats, woodland, wood pasture and wetlands will ensure the richness of this landscape for wildlife and provide short and long-term carbon sequestration.