Featuring another Nature Broking ‘hero’ project - Nattergal’s Boothby Wildland

The project: Nattergal purchased its first site, Boothby Wildland, in December 2021. It’s a 617 hectare former arable farm in Lincolnshire, with variable grade 3 soil types.

Following lessons learnt from Knepp Wildland in Sussex, Boothby has been gradually retreating from arable farming and preparing to let nature take the lead.

The farm was part of a well-managed agri-environment scheme in the previous decade – meaning that around the edges are small species-rich hotspots of nature waiting to burst out and colonise the depleted monoculture arable fields. Together with the variable soil types, the degraded West Glen river, and adjacent ancient woodland, this makes Boothby a wonderful opportunity for nature recovery.

Key planned interventions are blocking ditches and building scrapes, restoring natural hydrology on site, introduction of free-roaming herbivores and River Glen restoration.

The biodiversity: Returning the land to nature will help increase species abundance and diversity. A few kick-starter interventions, such as brash piles, pond creation and green hay spreading have been giving nature a helping hand. Free-roaming herbivores will be introduced to regenerate the degraded soil, while beavers will create a species-rich wetland.

The community: 6km of extra footpaths and bridleways will increase public access to the wildland. Restoration of the West Glen river will slow the flow of water from the wildland, helping to mitigate downstream flooding. Community Engagement underpins everything, from stakeholder consultations and monthly walk & talk events, to a volunteer programme and popular annual Nature Day.

Carbon credits: The UKCCC standard credits from this nature-based rewilding project help drive investment into climate change mitigation and nature restoration, as well as helping enable the local community to access this beautiful wild land.