Somerset Wildlife Trust seeks £70,000 for wilding project

The project, called 'Honeygar', is a transformation scheme transforming a former dairy farm into a place for biodiversity and a showcase of science and monitoring.

Launched in 2022, the Trust now requires extra funds to maintain its process of converting the former farm into its inaugural wilded site.

This conservation initiative intends to further connect the ecological-rich areas within the Somerset Levels.

These include the Trust's Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve.

The project is situated on an 81-hectare plot sandwiched between Westhay Moor, Westhay Heath, and Catcott, nature reserves maintained by the Trust, in the Avalon Marshes.

This region, among the largest and most significant wetland areas in the UK, utilises Honeygar as a high-quality green stepping stone.

This enables wildlife to roam and proliferate safely in the wider reaches of the area.

Beneficial changes have been initiated by the Trust since buying Honeygar.

Comprehensive initial surveys have been done, and early interventions have indicated a rise in biodiversity, a restoration of the peat, and a resurgence of essential ecosystems.

An extensive monitoring regime has also been installed to note changes to the land over time.

Special wildlife, such as the otter, short-eared owl, and night heron, have been sighted at Honeygar since changes in management began.

Additional financial support is crucial for the continuation of the project.

Now the Trust has kickstarted its second Honeygar appeal hoping to amass £70,000 to complete Phase 1 of the operation.

Night heron  (Image: Supplied)

This particular appeal is match-funded due to the generosity of anonymous donors of the charity, meaning every donation amount doubles.

Donated funds will help the Trust continue critical work at Honeygar.

This includes executing further site surveys, collecting data on soil and water quality, noting improvements in biodiversity, and verifying the presence of protected species.

Plans to construct mitigation towers – structures attractive to birds and bats currently residing in rundown buildings.

It will provide a safe habitat during the demolition of some former farm structures.

Head of fundraising at Somerset Wildlife Trust, Rebecca Walford, said: "We really need to increase the amount of monitoring we’re doing so that we can fully understand what impact our interventions have had, and we need to continue the work we’re doing on site, rewetting the peat and protecting the important species that make Honeygar home.

"We’ve raised almost £3.6 million for Honeygar so far, and with one last push, we hope to raise the £70,000 that will help us complete Phase 1 of the project and take us one step closer to our end goal.

"That’s why we’re asking our supporters across Somerset and further afield to donate today and join us on this journey."

Georgia Dent, chief executive Officer of Somerset Wildlife Trust, added: “Our work at Honeygar is absolutely key to understanding how we can restore lowland peatland.

"We are trailing new approaches that are already demonstrating how with some initial interventions, we can begin to restore degraded peat, and by removing intensive management and working with the land rather than against it, we can bring back wildlife, adapt to changes caused by climate change, and hold carbon.

“Honeygar also encapsulates our Wilder Somerset 2030 strategy, supporting our goal to have 30 per cent of land and sea to be in positive management for nature by 2030; allowing us to continue building a movement for nature as we invite people, businesses, and other environmental organisations to visit us at Honeygar and learn how they can take action for nature; and helping us build up a more complete picture of the state of nature in Somerset, which at Honeygar involves innovative data monitoring techniques.

"Honeygar is the most ambitious project Somerset Wildlife Trust has ever tackled, and with the support from people across Somerset, it can be the success we know it can be.”