REWILDING
Over the years, Water Gems has been involved in many rewilding and habitat-creation projects right across the country. Our expert team has planted wildflower meadows, hedgerows and trees, as well as creating biodiverse wildlife ponds and wetlands. A major example of this is our Roborough Fields Rewilding project in Devon.
Rewilding Roborough Fields
‘Rewilding Roborough Fields’ is a venture started in 2020 by Water Gems’ director Nick Benge.
With Nick’s knowledge and experience, along with the skills and expertise of the team, the aim is to give the ten-acre plot of land in North Devon a new energy, creating a biodiversity hotspot for both plant and animal communities.
Our plan is to create a dense mosaic of Devonbank hedgerows, wildflower meadows and pools. We aim to cram in as much habitat into the space as possible and then watch all the native plants and animals move in – “Build it and they will come.”
You can find out more about this project by visiting the Roborourgh Rewilders website, where you can also become a Friend of the Fields. Alternatively, contact Nick directly on 07734 386243, or by emailing roboroughfields@outlook.com
Below are some recent photographs of the plants and wildlife that are now thriving in the fields after only a few months since the pond and planting work.
Photos supplied courtesy of Paul Hopkinson and Jo Everitt, who have agreed to be “Wardens of the Fields” – to watch over the fields and provide regular updates on the effectiveness of the rewilding project.
Plans for the proposed changes to Roborough Fields
CONSULTANCY
Using our wealth of experience carrying out environmental projects, we are now able to offer a consultancy service to landowners looking to increase the biodiversity on their land. The starting point is just a chat about what you are hoping to achieve. We can then develop this into a more detailed plan of action. For more information, please contact us.
A recent example is the development of plans for a 3 acre woodland near Drem in East Lothian.
The area has plenty of established trees, snowdrops and blue bells, but almost no understory due to constant grazing by roe deer and rabbits. Our team has installed a deer fence, wind breaks and planted hedges, ensuring the protection of existing regeneration. We have created further protection by underplanting with native shrubs like hazel and holly. We also installed a tawny owl box and several other bird boxes across the site, in time for nesting season. In a few years the wood should more closely resemble a natural woodland with all the associated biodiversity gains.
For more details, please contact us.
