Recently, we, Tom and Chloe (plus baby Eleanor!), had the unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in the wildness of the Knepp Estate. 6 miles of exploration later had deepened our appreciation for its ambition and its complexity, with striking encounters with the white storks and red deer. Here are some of our thoughts on how we might apply principles from this grand-scale endeavour, to our own 80 acres

What is Knepp?

In the heart of Sussex lies the Knepp Estate, a remarkable testament to the power of rewilding. Once intensive farmland, this 3500-acre area, known as the Knepp Wildland project, has been transformed into a thriving ecosystem rich in biodiversity. What once were monocultures of wheat and maize are now dynamic landscapes teeming with wildlife, from nightingales and turtle doves to rare species of bats and butterflies. As the UK’s largest rewilding project, Knepp serves as a beacon of inspiration for conservationists and nature enthusiasts alike.

How do you define a Large-Scale Rewilding Project?

We’re not sure it’s that helpful to focus on a strict acreage threshold, as the specific characteristics and objectives of each project can vary widely. However, large-scale rewilding projects often encompass thousands or even millions of acres.

It's important to note that what makes these projects "large-scale" isn't just their physical size, but also the complexity of the ecosystems they're trying to restore and the ambitiousness of their goals. Large-scale rewilding projects often aim to restore whole ecosystems, which can involve reintroducing top predators and creating wildlife corridors over neighbouring parcels of land.

The Differences:

Rewilding projects are as diverse as the ecosystems they seek to restore, varying in scope, setting, and species. In broad terms, large projects like Knepp offer room for entire ecosystems to evolve, allowing for a greater diversity of habitats and wildlife. Conversely, smaller projects, like our 80-acre Grange Project, must optimise each acre to achieve a balance of biodiversity.

The Common Principles:

Regardless of scale, successful rewilding projects share common principles, at the heart of which lies the goal of restoring self-regulating ecosystems. Key tactics include reducing human intervention, reintroducing native species, and allowing natural processes to shape the landscape over time.

Applying these principles at The Grange:

1. Species Selection: At Knepp, large herbivores like deer, cows, and pigs play a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem. On our smaller plot, we will carefully select species that fulfil similar roles without overwhelming the land. Small herds of native breeds, combined with a variety of birds and insects, will provide a balance of grazing, browsing, and predation.

2. Letting Nature Lead: Like Knepp, we will step back and allow natural processes to take the reins. This means accepting that thorny scrub, deadwood, and muddy patches are valuable habitats, not eyesores.

3. Long-term Vision: As with Knepp, changes at The Grange will not happen overnight. Rewilding is a long game, requiring patience and a commitment to letting nature take its course.

Challenges of Small-Scale Rewilding:

Small-scale rewilding presents unique challenges. Limited space means we must be meticulous in species selection to avoid overgrazing. We must also be prepared for slower visible changes. Without the vast herds and dynamic landscapes of larger projects, the progress at the Grange Project may seem subtle, but will be no less significant.

Final Thoughts:

Our visit to Knepp was inspiring, and the learning afterwards instructive. It showcased the exciting potential of rewilding, while underlining the adaptability required when applying its principles to smaller scales. While the Grange Project may not mirror Knepp in size or spectacle, we are committed to ensuring it shares the same ethos of ecological restoration. We look forward to documenting our journey and sharing our lessons learnt, as we take another step forward in our own small-scale rewilding adventure.

Scaling Down: From the Vast Knepp Wildlands to Our Own Grange Project