Hampshire & Isle of Wight Rewilding Network

A dedicated network for rewilding and regeneration of land for wildlife in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. By connecting local rewilders we aim to raise the standard of rewilding through shared learning, access to specialist knowledge and improved ecological monitoring. The network aims to bring together landowners who are rewilding at least 40 hectares of land or sea and encourage positive action for wildlife.

The network is run by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, which has an exemplary history in managing nature reserves for wildlife. Since 2021 the Trust has taken on over 180 hectares of ex-arable land as rewilding projects and hopes to increase this repertoire soon. Comprehensive ecological and environmental monitoring programmes have been set up to inform site management and to evidence the benefits provided for nature.

Aims of the Network

• Raise the standard of rewilding in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight through shared learning and promotion of ecological monitoring
• Contribute to wildlife recovery over at least a third of land and sea
• Engage with local landowners and encourage positive action for wildlife through advocacy, communications and story telling

Who is it for?

To be eligible you must be rewilding a minimum of 40 hectares. The benefits of becoming a member include:

• Being part of a network of rewilders working towards the same goals
• Learning from others’ experiences through site visits and discussions
• Connecting with rewilding and wildlife experts

Membership of the network is free, and to be eligible you must be rewilding a minimum of 40 hectares. Find out more and sign up.

Projects

Wilder Little Duxmore

Wilder Little Duxmore is the Trust’s first rewilding project. It is a 42-hectare site located in the east of the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Prior to it’s purchase in 2020 Little Duxmore consisted of mostly arable fields along with some areas of semi-natural and plantation woodland with a stream running through the centre. Since being removed from agriculture the site has been allowed to develop naturally with minimal management. Goals for supporting the site through the process of rewilding include:

• Installing low density grazing by ponies, cattle and pigs to increase habitat heterogeneity and encourage growth of wildflowers through ground disturbance and selective foraging
• Increasing water availability, either through pond creation or attenuation and damming of existing flow pathways
• Supporting existing scrub regeneration to enhance the habitat for species such as nightingales
• Downland restoration to encourage calcareous species

Wilder Nunwell

Wilder Nunwell is a 140-hectare rewilding project located in the east of the Isle of Wight, just down the road from Wilder Little Duxmore. Prior to being leased by the Trust in 2022, Nunwell consisted of mostly arable fields. Since being removed from agriculture the site has been allowed to develop naturally with minimal management. Goals for supporting the site through the process of rewilding include:

• Low density grazing by cattle and pigs to increase habitat heterogeneity and create wallows, hopefully creating suitable habitat for turtle dove;
• Increasing water availability, either through pond creation or attenuation and damming of existing flow pathways and potentially floodplain creation;

Enhancing hedgerows to improve connectivity, foraging availability and shelter.