Trust launches new ecological consultancy service

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has launched a new consultancy service aimed at ensuring as much space as possible is being positively managed for nature across the county and beyond.

Known as Wild Solutions, the ecological consultancy and ecosystem service provider will draw upon the trust’s 60 years of experience of creating and managing space for nature across Derbyshire.

Its team of advisors, ecologists and land managers want to work with as many people and organisations as possible to provide end-to-end nature-based solutions – from ideation and project development to delivery and practical implementation – with nature recovery at the heart of them.

Wild Solutions aims to offer a range of services, offering advice and expertise at any stage of an ecological challenge or opportunity, with a broad range of other services including species reintroductions and nature-based finance, or a bespoke approach to meet the client’s requirements.

Phoebe Cox, consultancy development manager at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We’ve been protecting wildlife and wild spaces in Derbyshire since 1962.

“We’ve been dedicated to doing exactly what Wild Solutions can provide for more than 60 years and have already implemented these solutions at our own sites across Derbyshire, so we are well placed to offer this service to others.

“Through Wild Solutions we want to continue working with a wide range of clients, stakeholders and partners including parish, town and district councils, private landowners, land managers and businesses to support them with the bespoke, well-rounded solutions they need, while driving change to take action for wildlife, making more space for nature and helping its recovery.

“All the profits generated through the Wild Solutions consultancy will be reinvested to secure the best outcomes for nature and have a greater impact for wildlife.”

As part of the services provided by Wild Solutions, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is developing a pilot approach to funding even more space for nature, maximising opportunities presented by changes to the planning process as a result of the 2021 Environment Act.

The Act includes a requirement that by autumn 2023, all new developments (such as housing developments and commercial sites) need to leave wildlife habitats in a better state than before the development.

Phoebe said: “There is growing focus on nature-based solutions to meet environmental and climate emergencies, which offers a significant opportunity for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to leverage its expertise to operate commercially, while remaining true to its charitable status and strategic goals.”