Boothby Wildland Progresses to Implementation Phase of Defra’s Landscape Recovery Scheme
Boothby Wildland’s Lloyd Park and Lorienne Whittle
Boothby Leads the Way
We are delighted to confirm that Nattergal has secured funding through the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA) Landscape Recovery scheme to start the implementation phase at Boothby Wildland in Lincolnshire.
The Landscape Recovery Scheme uses long term agreements to help fund ambitious projects that provide large-scale, long-term benefits for Nature, including habitat restoration, biodiversity improvement, and climate resilience.
Announced in September 2022, these pilot projects have spent the past two and a half years in the development phase. Now, with this 30-year agreement, Boothby Wildland will be the first project to receive funding to deliver Nature restoration at scale.
A Blended Finance Approach to Nature Restoration
Nattergal’s participation in the Landscape Recovery scheme reflects our blended finance approach, combining private and public investment to deliver large-scale Nature restoration and the resulting economic and social benefits. In October 2024 we announced that we had raised £40m of equity funding as part of our seed round - one of the largest seed equity raises in the Nature restoration sector.
Our CEO, Archie Struthers, explains "This is the perfect example of a public-private collaboration working towards a shared goal of reversing biodiversity collapse, and one that delivers real benefits to Nature and local communities. We hope that learnings can be taken from Boothby Wildland to maximise the positive impact of other projects in the scheme.”
A Milestone for UK Nature Recovery
This welcome news comes at a pivotal time for the sector. By initiating the implementation phase of the Landscape Recovery scheme, the UK is taking another step towards meeting its goal to protect and restore 30% of Nature by 2030.
Bringing in Nattergal’s experience of managing Nature restoration sites across England, Boothby Wildland will act as a pioneer for other projects in the scheme. Boothby will provide valuable learnings for other Round One and Round Two Landscape Recovery projects to ensure best practice and cost-efficient delivery.
Local Impact & Community Engagement
Community engagement was a key part of the development phase at Boothby Wildland and will continue throughout implementation. This includes running workshops and consultation events to garner input into project plans, weekly volunteering, free community events and the establishment of a local steering group.
Boothby Wildland currently has three local employees and plans to create additional roles in the coming years. With Landscape Recovery support, the project will enhance benefits to the local community, including improved access to nature, educational facilities and plans for potential flood alleviation.
Pete Holland, local volunteer at Boothby Wildland, says: “For me, Boothby symbolises the opportunity to invest in nature to set up a different future for our society. Being a volunteer and having the chance to play a small part in contributing to restoring nature to how it should be has been extremely powerful and rewarding for my heart and soul. One day I’ll walk the site with my children and be able to say ‘I helped create this’.”
Tom Loring, local resident at Boothby Wildland, says: “I feel incredibly grateful to have such a beautiful rewilding project just over the hill from my house. It gives me hope and happiness to spend time at Boothby: to volunteer alongside lovely people who all share a compassion for nature and enjoy seeing it thrive. Boothby to me means increased colour, birdsong and tranquillity.”
To stay updated on our progress at Boothby Wildland, subscribe to our newsletter.
