News / Nature
New farm for nature is a milestone in Avon Wildlife Trust’s mission
It what it has called its “most ambitious and exciting project to date,” Avon Wildlife Trust (AWT) has taken a significant leap forward in its mission to create 100 hectares of new nature reserves.
The charity has acquired a 44 hectare farm less than an hour from Bristol centre, with a view to returning the site to nature.
Ebdon Farm was formerly a dairy enterprise and the land is severely depleted. AWT planning to turn the site into a haven for wildlife and biodiversity by letting nature take the lead.
is needed now More than ever
They have been supported in the purchase by Aardman Animations co-founder, Peter Lord, with funding also supplied by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“We can’t wait to get started,” said Shelly Easton, head of Nature’s Recovery at Avon Wildlife Trust.
“This is our first large-scale purchase to help us achieve our strategic goal of 100 hectares of new nature reserves. Ebdon Farm is set on low-lying, low fertility land that is challenging to farm, so it needed intensive interventions as a dairy farm which left little room for nature.
“We plan to create a new climate resilient nature reserve which can help tackle the climate and ecological crises, promoting natural processes and healthy ecological functions.
“The land also sits around two kilometres from the coast, making it the ideal location for the Severn estuary’s wading birds and wildfowl to roost when the tide is high. As sea levels rise, existing shoreline areas will feel the squeeze, so high tide roosts will become increasingly important.”
The charity is currently in an exploratory phase, establishing what biodiversity already exists at the site and where potential habitats may lie.
Ebdon Farm is surrounded by sites of ecological value, sits within an area classified as a priority habitat, and is also close to the Severn estuary which is known as a site of international importance – photo: Keeley Mitson
Peter Lord, who is also an animator, producer and director, has supported AWT’s work for over 20 years.
“I had a delightful visit to Ebdon Farm and this project is a wonderful and inspiring one,” he said. “I admire the team’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the site, and I can’t wait to see nature return and thrive here.”
AWT is keen to involve local communities in the site’s development, and in interactions with nature as it returns.
“This is just the beginning of a truly innovative long-term project. We will need support from our neighbouring landowners and community partners along the way, to help shape the future of the farm and to meet our fundraising goals,” said Easton.
“We know that nature needs us to take decisive action if we are to halt declines in biodiversity and help nature recover. Ebdon Farm is a great opportunity to do this on a large scale and make a positive impact”
Find out more about the Ebdon Farm plans and how to get involved at avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/ebdon-farm
Main image: John Seager
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