Learning from Knepp Wildlands

Members of our Nature Recovery Team recently made an inspirational visit to Knepp Wildlands to marvel at the diverse habitats and abundance of wildlife that the site is continuing to generate.

Knepp is the pioneering ‘rewilding’ project that has seen over 1,400 hectares of arable and pasture in southern England taken out of production with management instead geared towards re-establishing natural processes, with staggering results. It was fascinating for the team to see the impact of extensive arable reversion and how different habtiat mosaics have established over time, and to consider how this relates to the various Habitat Bank projects we are delivering. The question of how similar results can be achieved given the restrictions of BNG is an interesting conundrum, with the need for our clients to have 'certainty' in the units they are generating reducing the potential for allowing chance and chaos into our schemes.

But somehow we must find that balance if BNG is going to achieve its full potential and deliver what this country so desparately needs. It is up to us as Consultants, and indeed the Responsible Bodies and Local Authorities who are vetting these schemes, to ensure that within the statutory restrictions we are all finding the fluidity and flexibility to enable Habitat Bank Projects that can reach the heady heights of Knepp.