COMMUNITY
Together for Nature
Support for our Wildland has been overwhelming, and we’re incredibly thankful to everyone who has contributed to our evolution - from neighbours who have joined our consultations, to volunteers, collaborators, guests on our tours – and companies investing in our natural capital or choosing us for team away-days. The more we rally together for Nature, the louder our collective voice becomes.
Engaging with our Community
Whilst natural processes are gradually being re-established on the Wildland, we’ve been working hard to deliver measurable social and community benefits alongside.
Since establishing the wildland we have increased local employment (including our communities co-ordinator, Lizzie) , supported 17 students with their degree and PhD studies, and provided valued support for rural businesses. Our local community has been engaged through weekly volunteering, free monthly guided walks, seasonal events, educational workshops and regular communications.
In 2024 we clocked up over 1300 hours by the volunteer group, with the annual questionnaire showing 100% of those surveyed would recommend volunteering at Boothby Wildland. These activities improve mental and physical wellbeing, foster community pride, and strengthen Nature connectedness.
Boothby has also reinstated cultural traditions, such as a village barn dance, and is working to create new access routes to increase site accessibility by 30%.
Key Statistics to date:
2800+
Volunteer hours completed
280+
Attendees on annual Nature Days
17+
Degree & PhD projects supported
30%
planned increase in site accessibility
Upcoming events
-
Christmas Walk
Tuesday 9th December
10am-12pmThe final opportunity of the year to take a guided walk across the wildland. No need to book. Simply join us at the lodge.
-
Needle Felting Workshop (Robin)
Tuesday 16th December
6.30-8.30pmAn opportunity to learn the basics of needle felting whilst getting into the Christmas spirit.
-
Beat the Bounds
Tuesday 13th January
10.00am-12.00pmA walk around the beaver fence boundary, following an old tradition of walking the perimeter of your landholding to begin the new year.
Volunteering at Boothby
In the last few years, our wonderful group of volunteers have achieved an incredible amount. They’ve removed hundreds of tree guards, built hibernaculum, regenerated hedges, grafted apple trees for our orchard, built Beaver Dam Analogues - and planted willow whips in readiness for our beavers.
Want to become a Volunteer?
We meet every Thursday from 10am -2pm. All equipment and hot drinks are provided. If you are over the age of 18 and can commit to regular weekly support, please complete the form below.
Wild Journal
River Restoration Update
Our work to restore the West Glen River appears to be having an impact, retaining more water on the land and slowing the flow during recent storms.
Diary of an Intern
For the last year we have hosted Zoology & Entomology student, Huw Williams, at Boothby Wildland. In this short blog Huw shares some of his experiences.
Rough & Loose
On carefully selected area across the Wildland, considering everything from drainage to geology, previous cropping and public rights of way, we’ve unleashed some diggers!
Best Practice Stakeholder Engagement
In 2024 we published The Nattergal Report on Stakeholder Engagement Best Practice for Landscape-scale Nature Recovery Projects.
Developed for the Boothby Wildland Landscape Recovery project, and funded via the DEFRA Landscape Recovery Development Phase, the report was led by the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) at the University of Gloucestershire and the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery and Agile Initiative projects at Oxford University, with the objective of establishing a framework for enhancing and embedding stakeholder engagement into nature restoration.
“Effective stakeholder engagement is key to improved land-use decision-making, natural resource management, and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes for individuals, communities, and places.”
Our intention is that not only will we apply the principles across the Nattergal portfolio, but, in line with our core value of collaboration, we can help other organisations engaged in Nature recovery to deliver enhanced benefits for their stakeholders. The report sets out ten evidence-led recommendations for improving stakeholder engagement in nature recovery projects and can be read in full via the below link. You can also read our article on how we’ve been applying the approach at Boothby Wildland.
Meet the Team
-
Claire Barrett
Boothby Wildland Manager
Claire joins us from the National Trust, where she managed Belton’s Grade 1 listed gardens and parkland, and more recently has designed and led visitor experiences across the estate. She started her nature conservation career over 20 years ago at Natural England, working on various national projects including Tomorrow’s Heathland Heritage, Access to Nature and Local Nature Recovery Strategies. She also led the Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire Land Management team, overseeing Environmental Stewardship agreements and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
-
Lloyd Park
Ecologist Ranger
Lloyd’s background is in practical conservation management, species monitoring, and reintroduction projects and has spent most of his career to date working in the charity sector, having spent over a decade working for the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. Lloyd has a variety of practical qualifications, including being a skilled arborist and he is an ‘S’ Permit qualified bird ringer for the British Trust for Ornithology on top of being an excellent all-round naturalist.
-
Lizzie Lemon
Community Co-ordinator
Lizzie has a BSc in Countryside Management and has worked as Information Officer at the Rutland Osprey Project for the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, and as Assistant Warden/Project Officer with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust at Donna Nook Grey Seal Colony.
Lizzie brings with her a wealth of experience in working with volunteers and schools as well as knowledge of the natural world.