Boosting Biodiversity at Denmarkfield

29th October, 2024

Rewilding Denmarkfield has been undertaking nature restoration across the farmland, with support from PKC's Nature Restoration Fund.

Key components included the planting of 470 meters of pollinator-friendly hedgerows designed to connect existing wildlife corridors, sowing a 2-acre pollinator bank with native local wildflower seeds, and creating a 2,000 m² wetland in the House Field, along with a wildlife pond in the Education Hub.

These efforts are crucial for establishing pollinator-friendly, flower-rich habitats that contribute to Buglife's B-Line network. The new hedgerows and woodland mosaic not only provide essential resources for pollinators but also serve as migration corridors for woodland wildlife, connecting to ancient woodlands in the surrounding landscape.

In addition to habitat creation, the project includes a collaborative effort with Forest Research and the University of Reading to develop an experimental design known as Fungi4Restore. This innovative approach involves inoculating an area of ex-arable land with soil from an oak woodland and planting local provenance oak saplings. The goal is to increase soil microbes and enhance underground biodiversity, thereby promoting healthier ecosystems.

By creating interconnected habitats and supporting innovative research, this project exemplifies a commitment to boosting biodiversity for the benefit of the local community and the natural world.

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