Rewilding: The Role of Woodland and Wetland Management

Woodland and wetland management help to sustain natural areas, retaining their benefits and important place as part of our country’s heritage and culture. Rewilding, which aims to introduce nature to struggling or barren landscapes, seems to sit at the other end of the spectrum. However, these two elements of habitat restoration and maintenance work best when combined.

At The Habitat Restoration Co., we strive to keep our ecosystems in top shape. Some of the most beautiful natural areas in the UK like Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset all fall under our umbrella. In this article, we’ll discuss what rewilding is, explain how it can be supported by woodland and wetland management, and give an overview of some rewilding projects in the southwest of England.

If you need support for your rewilding project, get in touch today.

What is Rewilding?

Natural places are in high demand for the benefits they bring to our ecosystems, infrastructure like irrigation or grazing grounds, and country-wide aesthetics. However, in certain areas they’re in seemingly short supply, with areas of great natural beauty like Cornwall and Devon changing with the times.

Rewilding seeks to provide a solution that benefits not just the natural order, but people too. It involves introducing measures to protect the soil and water quality, alongside the flora and fauna that need them to thrive. These designated reserves will go on to grow out, becoming more robust as indigenous species come back and recolonise. This could see the return of many plants and creatures which could otherwise be lost to our country forever.

Just because rewilding focuses on returning the strength of nature, it doesn’t mean that humans will be adversely affected. On the contrary, improvements to our wildlife can see a knock-on benefit for people as well. We rely on nature to provide us with nutritious meadows for cattle, water management through streams and wetlands, erosion prevention with tree roots, and peace of mind.

Find out about our rewilding services >

Rewilding is about creating spaces where both nature and humans can flourish. But how can it be achieved?

How Woodland and Wetland Management Can Support Rewilding

Bringing nature back, or integrating it in new places, requires a constant, consistent effort. It’s not enough to simply plant some trees and call it a day. With how much ecosystems have been changed or damaged in the UK, a gentle helping hand is required to get our wildlife back on its feet.

Whether its woodland or wetland, management services help sustain natural spaces. This means rewilding efforts can see greater success in a shorter timeframe, giving nature a head start and helping it solidify its foundations. These services can also help contain the rewilding areas, allowing it to flourish in its designated protected space while still providing ample room for human endeavours.

Woodland Management for Rewilding

There are any number of threats to your rewilding efforts, such as weeds and unwanted vegetation or invasive species. Woodland management helps to combat these threats by providing consistent care for your wooded areas.

Overpopulation, disease, and periods of poor conditions can all create challenges for your rewilding zones as well. By strategically managing your woodland, removing trees and ensuring adequate room to grow, your rewilding efforts will be enhanced, and your ecosystems will flourish.

What does woodland management entail?

  • Clear felling and selective thinning
  • Management for weeds, vegetation, and invasive species
  • Planting and restocking natural wildlife
  • Aftercare to ensure the woodland’s long-term survivability
  • Tree care such as crown-lifting, pruning, and dead-wooding

Find out more about our holistic woodland management services >

Wetland Management for Rewilding

Wetlands are a crucial ecosystem, but often a delicate one. Natural floods, human waste, collapsing banks, and lack of life all make it difficult to support the introduction of flora and fauna. What wetland management does is enable the creation of a controlled environment, preventing natural processes from harming the ecosystem and supporting the reintegration of flora and fauna until they are able to sustain themselves.

What does wetland management entail?

  • Flood management
  • Creation and management of wetland and waterways
  • Flora and fauna introduction
  • Specific procedures like weir removal or bank revetments
  • Advice and support for your wetlands and projects

Find out more about our wetland and waterway management services >

UK Rewilding Schemes in the South West of England

There have already been many rewilding projects throughout the south west since the term first saw use in 2001, with each seeing various degrees of success. In recent years, with the dawn of habitat restoration regulations and the organisations that help uphold them, there have been many great rewilding projects that inject life back into our natural areas.

Cabilla Cornwall

This hill farm sports a unique combination of ancient woodland, temperate rainforest, historic rivers, and lush thickets of wildflowers. In 2020, Rewilding Britain began their efforts to restore wildlife to this already great space, further boosting the sustainability of the myriad flora and fauna.

Helman Tor

The largest nature reserve in Cornwall, and also the largest rewilding project to date. In 2023, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust started their push to return this area to its natural state – reintroducing indigenous species like rare breed cattle, pigs, ponies, and beavers. Contributing to the goals of protecting 30% of worldwide natural areas by 2030, this project sits alongside other rewilding efforts as a great step forward.

Somerset Wildlands

This organisation, aimed at rewilding many historic landscapes to restore some of their lost glory, seek to restore wildlife such as lynx, beavers, and sturgeons back to the lands they once called home. Somerset Wildlands seek to fulfil numerous ‘wild stepping stones’, slowly but surely progressing towards a future where nature can thrive.

The Great Crane Project

Delivering cranes back to our wetlands has been no easy feat. With wetlands struggling from overburden with sewage, their ecosystems have been damaged, making it hard to sustain life. However, a project from the early 2000s known as the Great Crane Project has still managed to see some success. This project reared and released numerous cranes into the Somerset wilds. While the last decade has seen around half the original birds die off, their flock has been steadily growing, showing that our wilds can still sustain its historic inhabitants – even if they may need a bit more help to fully succeed..

Rewilding with Woodland and Wetland Management from The Habitat Restoration Company

Woodland and wetland management act as pivotal components of rewilding, helping to support flora and fauna until the zone is developed enough to sustain itself. This ensures the area will remain habitable for years to come, helping to bring wildlife back where they belong.

If you need support with your rewilding project, habitat restoration efforts, or the management of your woodland or wetlands, get in touch today – our friendly team are always on hand to help!

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