Section 2.c. "Smaller-Scale Rewilding: A Practical Guide to Restoring Nature in Your Own Space"

Section 2.c. of the guide to smaller-scale rewilding from LettsSafari: 'Rewilding Smallholdings and Farms.'

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Rewilding Smallholdings and Farms

Agricultural land isn’t typically thought of as “rewilding” territory, but smaller-scale rewilding is making inroads here too. A smallholding - a small farm or plot used for mixed agriculture - can be partially or wholly rewilded to great effect. LettsSafari notes that there are over 250 million smallholdings globally, so even modest changes on these could massively increase green habitat.

Section 1. "Smaller-Scale Rewilding: A Practical Guide to Restoring Nature in Your Own Space"

Small can make a ‘big’ difference too.

'Small' is Typically less than 50 acres. More usually 1 – 20 acres. Smallholding can include almost all of the activities undertaken on a larger farm. The size of the holding will usually mean that it is more profitable to concentrate on quality rather than quantity.

Rewilding a smallholding might involve taking marginal or unproductive areas out of cultivation and allowing nature to take over. For example, a farmer might stop mowing a wet corner of a pasture and let it revert to marsh with reeds and willow scrub (providing a home for frogs and marsh birds). Or a smallholder might plant a section of their land with native trees to establish a woodland where previously there was only arable field - an approach some call “woodland islet” planting or agroforestry if integrated with some farm use.

The new woods at LettsSafari’s Dawlish Park were developed from an old, abandoned area of farmed pine in a 25 acre valley that was felled and replanted with wildlife friendly deciduous and conifer trees, now wild grasses and rich undercover abound. It has become a true wildlife haven.

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