NbSI visits Knepp Rewilding Estate
The NbSI team recently enjoyed a field trip to the Knepp Rewilding Estate, joined by colleagues from WWT and WWF UK.
Knepp, known for its groundbreaking approach to conservation, provided a wonderful opportunity for us to reconnect with nature and see restoration happening firsthand. As we wandered through Knepp’s varied habitats, we learned about the history, science, and governance that have made its remarkable resurgence of wildlife possible.
The land at Knepp was once an unprofitable farm, but everything changed when owners Charlie Burrell and Isabella Tree decided to take it out of production and embark on a rewilding journey. Now, over two decades later, Knepp has been transformed from exhausted farmland into a vibrant mosaic of healthy habitats—a thriving refuge for wildlife, a sustainable farm and a destination that draws public interest through ecotourism.
One of the most compelling insights from our visit was Knepp’s guiding principle: to “let nature take the driving seat.” The idea is to restore natural processes, and for that, they have reintroduced free-roaming herbivores that act as keystone species, driving dynamic changes across the landscape. Tamworth pigs, for instance, mimic the role of wild boar by churning up the soil and creating bare patches where new plants and invertebrates can thrive. Longhorn cattle fill the role of the extinct Aurochs, while Exmoor ponies play the part of ancient Tarpans. Population levels of these animals are managed through sustainable harvesting for meat, which not only keeps the ecosystem balanced but also supports the estate financially.
The rewilding project at Knepp has also helped restore critical ecosystem services like soil regeneration, pollination, carbon capture, flood control, and the purification of both water and air. On top of that, it promotes socio-ecological wellbeing by providing space for people to reconnect with nature. In this way, Knepp has become a powerful model of how land can be managed to address the interconnected challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and human wellbeing.
We left Knepp feeling inspired, reminded once again of nature’s beauty, its resilience, and its incredible power to regenerate when given the chance.
Find out more about the Knepp Rewilding Project here.
