Dr. Loxodonta
Well-Known Member
What is the Wilder Blean Project?
The Wilder Blean Project aims to bring transformational change through a missing keystone species, the Europe Bison or Wisent, that is able to naturally manage the Ancient Woodlands. The return of this species, along with many others such as Iron-Age Pigs and Horses in the near future, will aim to restart natural processes, creating a dynamic woodland that can support an abundance of wildlife. The mission of the project is to promote stronger and dynamic habitats that are able to withstand the current environmental crisis and support nature recovery in the long-term.
Early Days of the Project
This whole project started back on 18th July 2022, when three European bison took their first steps into ancient Canterbury woodland. The three bison were the first to freely roam in the UK in thousands of years. Since then the joint effort between Wildwood Trust and Kent Wildlife Trust has made this project flourish in my opinion! In 2023 they were awarded £100,000 to re-wild tens of thousands of hectares across South East England – connecting a rich range of habitats, creating green corridors for wildlife, and boosting eco-tourism. Then on 9th September 2022, a calf was discovered!
What’s Happening Now?
At present, the bison are roaming within 50 hectares of the woodland, with a further 150 hectares set aside for their use. Dangerous wild animal legislation means that the herd cannot share the same space as the public and with footpaths crisscrossing the Blean Complex this poses a challenge for the Wilder Blean team. The answer – bison bridges which connect the landscape whilst also giving people the opportunity to see the herd as they make their way through the woodland.
With planning permission now granted the project is seeking sponsorship for the structures, taking steps towards completing the next milestone of the journey.
In December 2023, a new bison calf was born. This is the second calf and a significant milestone in the successful journey of the Blean bison project. The latest arrival and sixth member of the herd is the first to have been conceived and born in the woodland from the specially selected founding herd.
Who Are the Wildwood Trust?
The amazing Wildwood Trust is a native species conservation charity established in 2002 to push the boundaries of innovative conservation and re-wilding. The Charity works with nature to fight the biodiversity crisis, to halt the extinction of species and to create resilient habitats in which nature thrives focusing on nature-based solutions to return native species and recreating truly wild spaces. The Trust has multiple different projects going on currently: Conservation projects
I hope that you enjoy reading this Conservation Story
Credits & Links:
Wildwood Trust: Wilder Blean
Kent Wildlife Trust: Wilder Blean Bison Project | Kent Wildlife Trust
Re-Wilding Britain: Wilder Blean Rewilding Project | Rewilding Britain
Re-Wilding Europe: Wilder Blean | Rewilding Europe
The Wilder Blean Project aims to bring transformational change through a missing keystone species, the Europe Bison or Wisent, that is able to naturally manage the Ancient Woodlands. The return of this species, along with many others such as Iron-Age Pigs and Horses in the near future, will aim to restart natural processes, creating a dynamic woodland that can support an abundance of wildlife. The mission of the project is to promote stronger and dynamic habitats that are able to withstand the current environmental crisis and support nature recovery in the long-term.
Early Days of the Project
This whole project started back on 18th July 2022, when three European bison took their first steps into ancient Canterbury woodland. The three bison were the first to freely roam in the UK in thousands of years. Since then the joint effort between Wildwood Trust and Kent Wildlife Trust has made this project flourish in my opinion! In 2023 they were awarded £100,000 to re-wild tens of thousands of hectares across South East England – connecting a rich range of habitats, creating green corridors for wildlife, and boosting eco-tourism. Then on 9th September 2022, a calf was discovered!
What’s Happening Now?
At present, the bison are roaming within 50 hectares of the woodland, with a further 150 hectares set aside for their use. Dangerous wild animal legislation means that the herd cannot share the same space as the public and with footpaths crisscrossing the Blean Complex this poses a challenge for the Wilder Blean team. The answer – bison bridges which connect the landscape whilst also giving people the opportunity to see the herd as they make their way through the woodland.
With planning permission now granted the project is seeking sponsorship for the structures, taking steps towards completing the next milestone of the journey.
In December 2023, a new bison calf was born. This is the second calf and a significant milestone in the successful journey of the Blean bison project. The latest arrival and sixth member of the herd is the first to have been conceived and born in the woodland from the specially selected founding herd.
Who Are the Wildwood Trust?
The amazing Wildwood Trust is a native species conservation charity established in 2002 to push the boundaries of innovative conservation and re-wilding. The Charity works with nature to fight the biodiversity crisis, to halt the extinction of species and to create resilient habitats in which nature thrives focusing on nature-based solutions to return native species and recreating truly wild spaces. The Trust has multiple different projects going on currently: Conservation projects
I hope that you enjoy reading this Conservation Story
Credits & Links:
Wildwood Trust: Wilder Blean
Kent Wildlife Trust: Wilder Blean Bison Project | Kent Wildlife Trust
Re-Wilding Britain: Wilder Blean Rewilding Project | Rewilding Britain
Re-Wilding Europe: Wilder Blean | Rewilding Europe
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