The Rise of Rewilding in the UK: How Boothby Wildland and LettsSafari Are Helping Nature Bounce Back
A new era for rewilding in Britain
Across the UK, rewilding and nature restoration projects are reshaping how we think about land, wildlife and climate action.
The latest story making headlines is the Boothby Wildland project in Lincolnshire - a bold 600-hectare rewilding experiment that’s transforming intensively farmed fields into thriving wild landscapes.
From beavers re-engineering rivers to wild ponies and pigs restoring pastures, Boothby represents the new face of British rewilding: practical, science-backed and deeply inspiring.
At LettsSafari, we believe this large-scale movement also holds lessons for everyone - from landowners to gardeners. Here’s what Boothby Wildland teaches us about the power of nature restoration, and how you can take part.
What is Boothby Wildland?
Boothby Wildland sits in the Lincolnshire countryside and spans over 600 hectares of land once used for intensive agriculture.
The project aims to rewet the landscape, re-wiggle old rivers, and restore “ghost ponds” that had vanished under years of drainage and ploughing.
Already, dragonflies, wildflowers and water-boatmen are returning. Soon, beavers, pigs, ponies and cattle will join - working as natural “ecosystem engineers” to create a mosaic of wetlands, grasslands and scrub.
This is rewilding in action: giving nature space, time and freedom to restore itself.
Why does rewilding matter now?
1. It helps tackle the climate crisis
Wetlands and woodlands are some of the UK’s best natural carbon stores. Projects like Boothby Wildland help lock away carbon while improving flood resilience and soil health.
2. It boosts biodiversity
When we let natural processes return, wildlife follows. Beavers build dams that create ponds for fish, frogs and birds. Grazing animals maintain open habitats where wildflowers thrive. Every species plays a role.
3. It benefits communities
Rewilding doesn’t just help nature - it also supports local jobs, eco-tourism and wellbeing. People visit these sites to walk, watch wildlife and reconnect with the land.
4. It shows what’s possible
The Boothby project is one of the first under England’s Landscape Recovery scheme, combining government support with private green finance. It’s a model for how farms, estates and councils can fund large-scale nature recovery.
How LettsSafari brings rewilding closer to home
At LettsSafari, we bring the spirit of Boothby to everyone - not just large estates.
We call it smaller-scale rewilding: helping gardens, parks, schools and community spaces restore nature on a small but meaningful scale.
Here’s how we help:
Rewilding experiences for everyone
Our LettsSafari sites show how to create biodiversity at any scale - from ponds and meadows to hedgerows and wildlife corridors. You can learn and apply the same methods at home.
Guidance and storytelling
Through field guides, rewilding tips and community storytelling, we help people learn by observing nature, just as ecologists do in places like Boothby.
Turning local action into national change
Each LettsSafari subscriber supports habitat restoration, pollinator corridors and species reintroduction - small steps that add up to big impact.
How to start your own rewilding journey
You don’t need hundreds of hectares to make a difference.
Here are three simple ways to start rewilding your world today:
Let it grow: Reduce mowing, plant native wildflowers, or let hedges expand.
Add water: Even a small pond or water bowl can bring birds, insects and amphibians back.
Observe and share: Take part in citizen-science and document your results.
Every wild patch counts - and when we connect them, we rebuild a living network of nature across the UK.