Knepp has become a haven for wildlife, boasting an impressive array of birds like nightingales, various butterflies such as purple emperors, dragonflies, damselflies, and even sightings of pine martens.
According to Ms Tree, the transformation began swiftly, with the resowing of arable fields using native wildflowers and grasses. The resulting insect noise was described as “overwhelming.”
“With each step, common blue butterflies and grasshoppers would rise from the ground,” she remarked. “This experience was both immensely joyful and startling, as it highlighted what we had been unknowingly missing.”
Excitement
Birdwatchers conducting surveys struggled to keep up with the sheer volume of birdsong, and ecologists were astonished by the abundance of nightingales, she noted.
Ms Tree emphasized the need for more places like Knepp across every county, aiming to reset the “baseline” toward abundant wildlife exposure.
“Visiting beloved farmlands, the Downs, or even nature reserves, you realize there’s less wildlife, which only deepens your desire for more as it makes you feel lighter and happier,” she explained.
She also stated that “truly wild areas should be accessible to everyone,” allowing people to witness wildlife restoration in their localities and benefit physically and mentally from nature.
Alison Ruyter, leading wilder grazing at Kent Wildlife Trust, expressed that initiatives like introducing bison to Blean Woods near Canterbury ignite public enthusiasm, offering perceived solutions to challenges like climate change.
Habitat
The hope is that these animals, akin to the ancient steppe bison once roaming Britain, will naturally restore habitats through their behaviors such as grazing, felling trees, and taking dust baths, thus promoting ecological resilience to climate change.
“When people can visualize their goals, they are driven to achieve them,” she commented. “Places like Knepp and Blean exemplify what’s possible.”
Mr Eversham envisions a network of “Strawberry Hills” across the Oxford-Cambridge arc, a planned economic zone between the university cities.
These areas could serve as “nodes” facilitating wildlife movement and offering people new opportunities to experience nature.
“The positive news from Strawberry Hill is that restoration is feasible,” he stated. “We have a good understanding of how to create habitats for many bird species, provided there is sufficient space and time.”
This Author
Emily Beament is the environment correspondent at Press Association.
