Trust set to rewild farm after completing purchase

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has competed the purchase of farm, which will be rewilded to create new habitats for nature.

Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, the trust has bought Common Farm, at Nether Heage, near Belper, which comes with 80 acres of land.

Over 2,000 people donated to the public appeal, launched last October, contributing almost £300,000 towards the purchase.

A range of major donors and philanthropic organisations provided the remaining funding required to secure the site.

According to Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, the local community has been crucial to the success of this appeal, with people organising walking tours for potential donors, delivering leaflets and encouraging others to get involved.

The trust is now ready to start working with the community to develop the site as a place for people and nature.

Jo Smith, chief executive at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support from all over including some incredibly passionate local groups who have shown what people can do for nature when they come together.

“Each and every person who has donated or shared our messages has helped to secure this land for people and for nature.

“Making more space for nature at Common Farm will give wildlife the chance to recover here, and once regenerated it will store more carbon, help store more water to reduce local flooding and help trap nutrients that leach into our river systems.

“The purchase is also great news for local residents and visitors who will be able to continue to enjoy the area, and to see it become richer for nature in the years to come.”

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s team of rewilders will now take action to help nature recover at Common Farm.

According to the trust, within months of relaxing land management, the reserve will start filling up with the sights, sounds and scents of nature returning.

In time, a mixture of grasslands, scrub and woodland, with water retained on site wherever possible, will provide habitats for kestrels, woodpeckers and warblers, with many more bumblebees, butterflies and flower rich meadows throughout the summer.