European Rewilding Network
ERN2002

Wild Ken Hill

Using a rewilding approach in the English context

The concept of Wild Ken Hill was ‘born’ back in January 2019, when the idea to transform the coastal farm started to take shape.
Chris Frazer Smith
The project has restored freshwater marshes, rewilded 500 acres of marginal farmland (and a similar amount of mixed woodland) and changed the direction of the farm to a regenerative farm system focused on soil health.
Chris Frazer Smith

Wild Ken Hill believes in working with nature, not against it.

The site, which is located on the North-West Norfolk coast, has a rich mosaic of habitats, ranging from coastline and freshwater marshes to woodlands, rewilded grasslands, and nature-rich farmland.

It is home to over 2,600 species (and counting), including eco-engineers in the form of Eurasian Beavers, rare birds like the Grey Partridge, and beautiful butterflies, such as the White Admiral.

And the team are working hard to improve life below the ground too, leading the way in regenerative farming, alongside their conservation and rewilding initiatives.

This three-prong model has received interest from the UK policymakers as an example of rewilding unproductive land to produce biodiversity, climate, and community benefits, while producing food on productive land (Norfolk is among the best farmland in the UK).

 

Specification Description Achievements Exchange
Project: Wild Ken Hill
Region: North-West Norfolk, United Kingdom
Type of protection: Privately-owned land containing two County Wildlife Sites
Habitat types: • Coastal mudflats
• Freshwater wetlands
• Acid heathland
• Deciduous woodland
• Rewilded grassland and emerging scrub
• Nature-rich farmland
Type of project: Creating space for wilder nature, Fostering the development of nature based economies, Increasing interest in the wild through communications, Magnification of rewilding impact and practices
Aim and vision: Wild Ken Hill’s mission is to restore nature, fight climate change, grow wholesome food, and inspire people about the natural world.
.
Uniqueness of the project: Wild Ken Hill brings together rewilding, conservation, and regenerative farming to create a landscape that is abundant with wildlife, producing wholesome food, and vibrant with community. The site, which is located next to The Wash, stretches from the coast inland, incorporating freshwater marsh, grassland, woodland, and nature-rich farmland, providing valuable habitats for over 2,600 species (and counting).
Other activities: Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, High-impact communications, Recreational activities, Research, Sale of sustainable products
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on: To demonstrate the necessity of rewilding in fighting climate and biodiversity crises; to show that our wider model answers national questions on net zero emissions, biodiversity restoration, and food production; to contribute to redefining rural society and the broader conservation movement.
Results so far: After becoming the first major UK rewilding project to secure government funding through its CSS scheme, major achievements have included the reintroduction of Eurasian Beaver, conducting a broad baseline survey, and significant levels of positive stakeholder engagement and media coverage (including the BBC’s Springwatch).
Inspirational value: We want to encourage others to connect with nature and inspire more people to look after our environment.
Experience you would like to share: We believe in working together to find sustainable solutions that will work on a large scale. Wild Ken Hill are driven by developing a commercial as well as environmental solutions to land management and are keen to share their story so that others learn from what they do, and so that change can happen quickly.
Experience you would like to gain: We are constantly looking for new ways in which we can implement change at the pace it is needed.
Map
Country
UK, England
Start year
2019
End year
N/A
Size (ha)
425
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Mixed forests with heath and sandy areas, Wetlands
Natural process
Natural grazing, Wetland dynamics
Flagship species
Beaver, Fallow deer, Feral cattle, Feral horses, Red deer, Roe deer
Wild Ken Hill
The concept of Wild Ken Hill was ‘born’ back in January 2019, when the idea to transform the coastal farm started to take shape.
Chris Frazer Smith
The project has restored freshwater marshes, rewilded 500 acres of marginal farmland (and a similar amount of mixed woodland) and changed the direction of the farm to a regenerative farm system focused on soil health.
Chris Frazer Smith

Wild Ken Hill believes in working with nature, not against it.

The site, which is located on the North-West Norfolk coast, has a rich mosaic of habitats, ranging from coastline and freshwater marshes to woodlands, rewilded grasslands, and nature-rich farmland.

It is home to over 2,600 species (and counting), including eco-engineers in the form of Eurasian Beavers, rare birds like the Grey Partridge, and beautiful butterflies, such as the White Admiral.

And the team are working hard to improve life below the ground too, leading the way in regenerative farming, alongside their conservation and rewilding initiatives.

This three-prong model has received interest from the UK policymakers as an example of rewilding unproductive land to produce biodiversity, climate, and community benefits, while producing food on productive land (Norfolk is among the best farmland in the UK).

 

Map
Country
UK, England
Start year
2019
End year
N/A
Size (ha)
425
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Mixed forests with heath and sandy areas, Wetlands
Natural process
Natural grazing, Wetland dynamics
Flagship species
Beaver, Fallow deer, Feral cattle, Feral horses, Red deer, Roe deer
Specification
Project: Wild Ken Hill
Region: North-West Norfolk, United Kingdom
Type of protection: Privately-owned land containing two County Wildlife Sites
Habitat types: • Coastal mudflats
• Freshwater wetlands
• Acid heathland
• Deciduous woodland
• Rewilded grassland and emerging scrub
• Nature-rich farmland
Description
Type of project: Creating space for wilder nature, Fostering the development of nature based economies, Increasing interest in the wild through communications, Magnification of rewilding impact and practices
Aim and vision: Wild Ken Hill’s mission is to restore nature, fight climate change, grow wholesome food, and inspire people about the natural world.
.
Uniqueness of the project: Wild Ken Hill brings together rewilding, conservation, and regenerative farming to create a landscape that is abundant with wildlife, producing wholesome food, and vibrant with community. The site, which is located next to The Wash, stretches from the coast inland, incorporating freshwater marsh, grassland, woodland, and nature-rich farmland, providing valuable habitats for over 2,600 species (and counting).
Other activities: Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, High-impact communications, Recreational activities, Research, Sale of sustainable products
Achievements
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on: To demonstrate the necessity of rewilding in fighting climate and biodiversity crises; to show that our wider model answers national questions on net zero emissions, biodiversity restoration, and food production; to contribute to redefining rural society and the broader conservation movement.
Results so far: After becoming the first major UK rewilding project to secure government funding through its CSS scheme, major achievements have included the reintroduction of Eurasian Beaver, conducting a broad baseline survey, and significant levels of positive stakeholder engagement and media coverage (including the BBC’s Springwatch).
Exchange
Inspirational value: We want to encourage others to connect with nature and inspire more people to look after our environment.
Experience you would like to share: We believe in working together to find sustainable solutions that will work on a large scale. Wild Ken Hill are driven by developing a commercial as well as environmental solutions to land management and are keen to share their story so that others learn from what they do, and so that change can happen quickly.
Experience you would like to gain: We are constantly looking for new ways in which we can implement change at the pace it is needed.
Wild Ken Hill
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