Rewilding at Maple Farm in Partnership with Youngwilders
Maple farm is a 30-acre rewilding project on former grazing land on the Surrey-Sussex boundary. The project aims to demonstrate the principles of rewilding on a small-scale, mimicking natural processes to encourage the return of a healthy, balanced ecosystem that benefits native species. From regenerating native woodland in open areas to enhancing habitats for rare species such as nightingales, Charity Buddy and Youngwilders will use Maple Farm as an experimental site looking into the various ways nature can return on a small plot of land.
Ecological Restoration
The vision for Maple Farm is a thriving diversity of habitats in keeping with the natural ecology of the area, providing a haven for plants, insects, birds, and mammals. A mix of scrub, woodland, grassland, and riparian and wetland will be encouraged through natural regeneration, enrichment planting and other interventions, taking an experimental approach to encourage nature’s return.
The project will follow the key principles of rewilding - aiming to restore natural processes to facilitate the return of biodiversity. Where possible, Youngwilders will use a hands-off approach to encourage, observe and record natural processes returning. Smaller rewilding projects like Maple Farm, however, differ from the approach that can be taken at large sites like Knepp and Wild Ken Hill. A greater degree of intervention is required to kickstart and mimic the processes on a smaller site that would occur naturally at a landscape scale. Well-targeted interventions in the initial phase, and light-touch management of the site thereafter, will be necessary to achieve our habitat enhancement aims on Maple Farm.
Youth Engagement
The project will be documented for scientific research and communications in order to bring a wider community along with nature’s recovery at the site. Specifically, the project will aim to involve young people where possible - including young ecologists, volunteers and researchers - aiming to inspire a new generation of environmental stewards. Youngwilders will seek to collaborate with existing research institutions and youth engagement groups and, in the long term, the project will collaborate with surrounding landowners to enhance habitat connectivity.
Want to know more?
Follow our blog for updates on the project. We’ll share everything we’re learning, as well as potential opportunities to get involved. We’d also love to hear from you so please do message us at 4youngwilders@gmail.com
