LAND totalling 355 acres at Nunwell has been bought by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust — and will be dedicated to rewilding.

It is part of a scheme to support wildlife recovery on the Isle of Wight.

The trust completed the 144-hectare land deal after the Oglander family, owners of the land on the family-run Nunwell Estate, approached them because of their interest in rewilding.

With funding support from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the land has been acquired.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust's other rewilding project

Nunwell is the trust’s second rewilding project on the Island as part of its nature-based solutions programme.

It follows the purchase of Little Duxmore Farm in 2020, which has seen wildlife bounce back with 36 bird species recorded, including nationally threatened species such as linnet and song thrush.

Invertebrates have also made an amazing recovery with 19 butterfly species, including the endangered wall brown, and six of the UKs ‘big eight’ bumblebee species recorded on site. Internationally important plants have also been recorded.

The trust anticipates many of these species will also recover and thrive at Nunwell over the coming years.

Why do the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust rewild land?

The scheme was set up to demonstrate how nature-based solutions can be used to help mitigate and reduce the impact of nitrates on The Solent from planned housing developments.

Nature reserves are created on former intensively managed land, making new habitats for local wildlife and helping nature to recover.

The trust is committed to rewilding carefully targeted areas to contribute towards the Nature Recovery Network.

Around 80 per cent of the Isle of Wight is devoted to agriculture and farming is an important part of the local economy and nature recovery network. Targeting rewilding on poor-quality agricultural land provides benefits for wildlife, water quality and soil health with little impact on food production.

Beaver introduction plan for Isle of Wight 

The trust is currently undergoing a consultation as part of their plan to release beavers on the Island, starting in Newchurch.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Meet the Island's beaver recovery project officer Izzie Tween.

Q&A on beavers - your questions answered

Residents asked if they are for or against beaver introduction

Letter: Is the Island the right place for beavers?

Letter: Beware the beavers

Send us a letter to the editor on your thoughts of the new land purchase, to editor@iwcp.co.uk