New charity West Dorset Wilding is launching at the Tiger Inn in Bridport, 7pm on Thursday, February 9.

All members of the local community are invited to this free event, which will include a set of short talks, a question and answer session and an opportunity to network and meet those involved.

West Dorset Wilding has been set up by local landowners who are keen to work at a landscape scale to bring about the widespread restoration of nature in the area.  

It is seeking other farmers, landowners and land managers who want to champion nature, and for anyone, with or without land, to support our vision and get involved.

Although people often think of West Dorset as a countryside idyll, it has suffered the same environmental problems over the past 70 years as much of the UK, including a massive drop in the numbers and variety of animals and plants.

Just as natural habitats have become fragmented, people have also lost their connection to the natural world, something the charity is also looking to address.

The charity aims to restore nature in West Dorset by collaborating with farmers, landowners, land managers, regional partners and the local community on a variety of projects.  

There are two streams of work – rewilding and regenerative agriculture.

Rewilding can include very low intensity 'wildland' farming, natural colonisation of marginal farmland, wood pasture development, wetland creation and the reintroductions of native species.  

Regenerative farming aims to improve the soil on which crops grow and livestock graze, reducing mechanisation, cultivation and chemicals and giving more space to nature.

The charity also intends to deliver education and public awareness projects, anchored in the science.

Founding chair of trustees, Luke Montagu, of Mapperton Estate, said: "Inspired and advised by the Knepp Estate, Mapperton is handing over 500 acres of marginal farmland back to nature, while promoting regenerative agriculture on our other farms. 

''Through West Dorset Wilding we hope to encourage other farmers and landowners to consider a similar approach and believe that, in time, West Dorset can become a beacon of biodiversity for the rest of the country."

Co-founder Philip Colfox, of Symondsbury Estate, added: "This autumn was the first time that we used regenerative techniques for our winter sown arable crops and the reduction in erosion over the winter, alongside an increase in wildlife, has substantially exceeded our expectations."

Dr Sam Rose, part/time executive director for the charity, commented: "This is a fabulous opportunity to bring interested and inspiring people together to make a long-term difference for nature and the climate in our corner of the UK. All are welcome – sign up and get involved."

Find out more at www.westdorsetwilding.org, by emailing [email protected], or at the launch event on Thursday, February 9 at the Tiger Inn's Alley Bar in Barrack Street, Bridport, at 7pm.

Sign up to the event at www.westdorsetwilding.org/events