Rewilding the Somerset Levels.

Creating space for nature

The Somerset Levels were once England’s Danube Delta. From pelicans to lynx, beavers to sturgeons, it would have teemed with wildlife. Somerset Wildlands is aimed at restoring some of that lost life and wildness through a process of rewilding. We are building up ‘wild stepping stones’ in the landscape, each of which will be managed as little as possible to allow rich nature-led habitats to develop. We cannot go backwards, but we still have the opportunity to create a wilder, better future.

The Somerset Levels are a landscape steeped in myth and legend, from King Arthur to Glastonbury Tor. It was here that King Alfred hid from the Vikings in what were then impenetrable swamps, before defeating them at the Battle of Edington and laying the foundations for the Kingdom of England.

Rewilding a historic landscape

As we rewild parts of the Levels we will seek ways to reconnect people with nature – through practical activities like nature surveys, volunteer activities, school excursions or small scale reintroductions. In addition supporting members will get special invites to guided walks, surveys and other opportunities.

Building a community

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