Wildlife charity buys farmland to protect its future
The Woodland Trust will buy 116 acres of farmland on Hucking Estate after raising £750,000 in three months.
The wildlife charity launched a campaign to acquire the huge plot, which is next to woodland it already owns, in February after it emerged it was at risk of being built on.
More than £100,000 was donated by people in Kent alone while the remainder was secured from Woodland Trust members and supporters throughout the UK and other sources such as charitable trusts.
The land will now be left to naturally regenerate, with tree species seeding and turning the area into thriving woodland.
The trust will also manage areas of chalk grassland, a priority habitat that has seen a loss of up to 85% in the Kent Downs.
The purchase will provide a welcome boost to Hucking’s 10 threatened bird species, 21 differ- ent butterflies and three types of bat.
The trust will work over summer to improve access to the site and open it up to the public.
Clive Steward, site manager for the Woodland Trust, said: “Without the generosity of the local community, we never would have been able to purchase this land – we are incredibly grateful and amazed by how quickly we raised the funds.
“Everyone has contributed to a piece of the landscape that will now be released from human influence, and become a home for wildlife.
“As we look towards opening up the land for everyone, we’re aware that our work is only just beginning.
“I hope that even more people will be inspired by our successes so far, and will support our ongoing work at Hucking.”
The Woodland Trust was formed in 1972 and now manages more than 1,000 free to access sites across the UK covering 22,500 hectares.
When Hucking Estate was bought in 1997 it became the charity’s largest woodland in England. It is currently one of its 31 sites in Kent which will benefit from £275,000 of investment this year.
For those who want to visit Hucking, there is a summer walk being held on Saturday, July 22. Visit woodlandtrust.org.uk/getinvolved to find out more.