Somerset Wildlife Trust launches £70k appeal to continue wilding project

Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT) is seeking public support to raise £70,000 to continue its inaugural wilding project.

The trust's 81-ha Honeygar project was launched in 2022 with the aim of transforming a former dairy farm into a haven for biodiversity and a showcase for peatland restoration in lowland areas.

Georgia Dent, chief executive of SWT, said: "We are trialling 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."

Black-crowned Night Heron has been seen at Honeygar, highlighting its potential for expanding wetland species (Richard Pittam).

Improvement in biodiversity

Honeygar in situated between Westhay Moor, Westhay Heath and Catcott Lows nature reserves in the Avalon Marshes, one of the UK's most significant wetlands.

SWT has already commenced extensive monitoring and survey work, which have shown an improvement in biodiversity and restoration of peat after early habitat work. Black-crowned Night Heron, Short-eared Owl and Eurasian Otter have been among the most significant sightings at Honeygar so far.

The trust has launched a second appeal to raise the last £70,000 needed to complete Phase 1 of the project. Upcoming work on the project includes replacing old farm buildings with towers for birds and bats.

Rebecca Walford, head of fundraising at SWT, 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."

£3.6 million has been raised so far. Public donations will be matched by anonymous donors and the funds will enable further data collection and biodiversity improvements.

Honeygar is part of SWT's Wilder Somerset 2030 strategy, which aims to put 30% of the county's land and sea into nature-positive management by 2030.

Ms Dent added: "Honeygar is the most ambitious project that SWT has ever tackled, and with the support from people across Somerset, it can be the success we know it can be."