Wild Woodbury brings community together for a day to celebrate nature and rewilding

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wild Woodbury nature reserve near Bere Regis welcomed residents, volunteers, and local VIPs to celebrate nature, wildlife, and the power of community-led conservation.

The event drew an impressive turnout of almost 300 guests who enjoyed planting a whopping 420 trees to bolster the community food forest, wildlife-themed activities for all ages, and guided walks led by site rangers showcasing the dramatic transformation of the landscape and its thriving biodiversity over the four years since Dorset Wildlife Trust acquired the site in 2021.

Guided walks offered visitors a chance to explore the rewilding site and learn about the ecological changes taking place. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with tea and coffee served throughout the day, encouraging conversations and connections among attendees.

In just over four years, Wild Woodbury has undergone a remarkable transformation from intensively farmed land into a thriving mosaic of wetlands, woodlands, and meadows. The rewilding project, led by Dorset Wildlife Trust, has restored natural processes, improved biodiversity, and created vital habitats for species ranging from dragonflies and skylarks to otters and orchids. What was once a landscape dominated by intensive agriculture is now a living example of nature recovery in action—driven by community involvement and ecological ambition.

It was lovely to see so many familiar faces and many who were visiting Wild Woodbury for the first time. Days like this remind us how vital community involvement is in shaping a wilder, more resilient future for nature and wildlife in our landscape. Many of the visitors took the opportunity to share their views on our ideas board and by taking part in our consultation questionnaire which will help us shape the future of Wild Woodbury.

Daisy Meadowcroft, Wild Woodbury Ranger
Dorset Wildlife Trust

Our Free Trees for Schools and Communities scheme are immensely proud to donate a Wild Harvest Pack of 420 native saplings to such a great initiative. This beautiful blend of shrubby species and fruit-bearing trees will not only boost biodiversity but also offer a delicious bounty of fruits and nuts, perfect for homemade jams, jellies, and even wild wines for years to come.

Beyond their culinary charm, these trees will play a vital role in enriching the local environment, providing essential food and shelter for wildlife, and helping Wild Woodbury flourish as a vibrant, nature-rich haven for the community. We’ll be eagerly watching as this beautiful project takes root, growing not just trees, but connections and a thriving future.

Steve Shill, Senior Project Lead
Woodland Trust