Sir David Attenborough has endorsed a fundraising initiative aiming to gather £30 million for the purchase of the Rothbury Estate, a 15-square-mile area in Northumberland. The estate includes a mix of former grouse moor, woodland, and farmland and is being targeted by the Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust for conservation efforts. Their goal is to restore wildlife habitats, promote nature-friendly farming practices, and enhance the area’s biodiversity.
The urgency of the fundraising campaign is highlighted by a deadline of October 2024, by which the funds must be secured to complete the purchase and avoid the risk of the estate being sold or divided. Attenborough, in a recent video, expressed the importance of the estate’s preservation for future generations.
This estate, the largest parcel of land to go on sale in England in decades, is part of a potential “wild corridor” stretching 40 miles from the coast to Kielder and the Scottish border, encompassing notable features like the Simonside Hills. Previously owned by Lord Max Percy, a member of the Duke of Northumberland’s family, the estate has been in their possession for approximately 700 years.
The Wildlife Trusts have reported that around £8 million has already been raised through donations, but a significant amount remains to be secured. Plans for the estate include increasing access for the public and collaborating with local farmers and communities to enhance natural habitats.
Key wildlife in the area includes red squirrels, curlew, and other endangered species. Conservationists propose introducing herbivores like ponies and bison to manage the landscape naturally. This initiative underscores the challenges faced by wildlife in the UK, which is considered one of the most nature-depleted countries globally. The trusts believe that restoring the Rothbury Estate could serve as a significant step towards improving biodiversity in the region.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1d0x39x270o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss