OUR VISION
To allow nature to return to our 340 acre farm in Lincolnshire, creating habitats and improving biodiversity, by restoring natural processes to the point that nature will be able to take care of itself.
To engage the local community with our project, encouraging access to nature and education.
ABOUT US
In 2019 we made the decision to cease commercial food production on our arable farm in Lincolnshire. The land is low lying, standing wet for much of the winter and baking hard in the summer. Despite our best efforts we struggled to farm profitably and we felt that our unproductive soils could be put to better use for the benefit of nature.
JACK & HANNAH
Hannah and Jack are the co-founders of Wrendale Designs, a global giftware business based in Lincolnshire. The products feature watercolour illustrations by Hannah.
Hannah studied Zoology at Cambridge University and is passionate about ecology and conservation. The wildlife on the farm is a constant source of inspiration for her artwork.
Jack is a mechanical engineer by training and as well as being a passionate advocate for Rewilding, he also has an extensive knowledge of agriculture.
THE STORY SO FAR...
TREE PLANTING
Although natural regeneration of habitat on the farm is our primary goal, we made the decision to plant a mixed native woodland consisting of 27,000 trees around the perimeter of the farm in order to give a head start and to create a buffer zone between our farm and our neighbours who were concerned about the spread of plant seeds from the farm.
WETLAND CREATION
The hydrology of our farm has been drastically altered by the intervention of humans and one of our key priorities is to restore a more natural situation.
Our first step was to excavate a wetland in one of the lowest areas of the farm and let nature take its course!
BIODIVERSITY
We are already seeing some huge increases in biodiversity on the farm in the short space of time that we have ceased cultivating and use of pesticides.
83 species of bird have been recorded including 17 red listed species.
In a single survey in Summer 2023, 23 species of butterfly were recorded and 18 species of Odonata.
Further work is in the pipeline to record the change in biodiversity as the project progresses. Watch this space!
CONTACT
