Somerset Wildlife Trust is pleased to launch its Honeygar Appeal, to raise £100,000 to support turning a former intensively managed dairy farm on the Somerset Levels into something amazing for wildlife, people and climate through wilding the land.

The 81-hectare Honeygar site is located at the heart of the Avalon Marshes, within the internationally acclaimed wetlands of Somerset Levels and Moors. When wilded, Honeygar will not only better connect the nature-rich sites around it, including the Trust’s Westhay Moor and Catcott nature reserves, but it will also extend that connection to the wider landscapes beyond, acting as ecological boost to strengthen Somerset’s nature recovery network that will allow precious wildlife to spread. 

Right now, the Trust now has an amazing opportunity to match fund a £100,000 gift given by a very generous philanthropist, so every donation made now will be doubled, and it is appealing to the public to give generously. Thanks to philanthropists and grant givers, the Trust has already raised £2.1m of the £3.4m it needs for Honeygar and this appeal is an important step in achieving its fundraising target.

Georgia Stokes, CEO, Somerset Wildlife Trust says, “To reverse wildlife decline and address the climate emergency we need 30% of land in the UK managed positively for nature by 2030, and our natural places connected up to help wildlife spread. We also know that protecting peat soils is critical if we are to achieve the county’s carbon and climate targets. Honeygar represents the most incredible opportunity to do both and is one of the most pioneering projects in the Trust’s history - and it’s our first wilding project. We’re really excited about what the future holds for the site.  Honeygar has already generated an amazing amount of support and positive feedback, but for it to be successful we need to raise more funds.”

Simon Clark Head of Nature Recovery adds, “Honeygar will be managed very differently to our nature reserves as it’s our first wilded site. There’s much to be done to reverse years of intensive management and to transform this nature-poor dairy farm into the wildlife-rich site we know it can be. What’s most exciting is that Honeygar provides us with the opportunity to explore, develop, test and deliver a range of nature-based solutions that will demonstrate a way for others to potentially generate income through payments for storing carbon, improving water quality and biodiversity, something the government is encouraging through their new Environmental Land Management Schemes. All that we learn at Honeygar will be shared with farmers, landowners and local communities so its impact will be far greater than its boundaries.”

The Trust will be working with the University of the West of England (UWE) and Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC) to monitor the carbon flux (changes in carbon emissions) at Honeygar, so it is able to assess the impact of wilding the site, as well as evaluating soil quality, water quality, species and habitats.”

Katie Arber, Director of Fundraising & Marketing comments, “Honeygar is an incredible opportunity to bring nature back and we now have a chance to really boost our fundraising through this match funded appeal. We have been blown away by the early support for our vision for Honeygar and hope many more people will want to be part of our first wilding journey by donating to our Honeygar appeal. You can give on our website or by telephoning 01823 652429. And by giving now, your gift will be matched and mean even more to this incredible project.”

ENDS

For interviews and further information please contact Kirby Everett on 01823 652413 or kirby.everett@somersetwildlife.org

You can follow us on Twitter at SomersetWT or Facebook on @Somersetwildlifetrust

Photo: Caption

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About Somerset Wildlife Trust

Somerset Wildlife Trust is a nature conservation charity. Its purpose is to restore and protect the populations of species across the county and the habitats they call home. Climate change is one of the greatest threats to nature, natural habitats and the ecosystems that support our life on earth.  Our aims are to help address both the ecological and climate crises and put nature back into people’s lives.

Nature reserves and protected sites on their own are not enough. In order to reverse the decline in species’ diversity and abundance, and create resilient landscapes and habitats for wildlife and for people that can adapt to climate change, we need to: 

• encourage and support landowners to manage their land positively for nature; create more space for nature;
• connect wildlife-rich spaces across the wider landscape to create a robust Nature Recovery Network for Somerset; and
• create a movement of people – at least 1 in 4 – that take action for nature’s recovery across Somerset as part of Team Wilder. 

This is at the core of our new 10-year strategy. Nationally the Wildlife Trusts are calling for at least 30% of land to be managed positively for nature by 2030. What we do in Somerset must contribute to that national ambition. You can read our full 10 year strategy, Wilder Somerset here.