On Wednesday, Year 9 attended a fascinating talk about Rewilding England. Molly, who works at Knepp Wildland, shared insights about this unique project. Knepp, located in Sussex, was once a traditional farm but has been transformed over the past 25 years into a 1,400-hectare rewilded landscape. The land now supports a diverse range of species, including turtle doves, nightingales, white storks, red deer, and roe deer.

What struck us most was how the team at Knepp has built a thriving ecosystem and sustainable business purely through natural processes. Animals play a crucial role in stabilising the land, creating new spaces for seeds to germinate, and helping the environment thrive. Knepp also collaborates with farms and schools across the country to spread the message about rewilding and its benefits.

One of the most eye-opening parts of the talk was learning about beaver dams. Not only do they provide homes for beavers, but they also act as natural water filters, improving river quality and preventing both droughts and floods. This talk was, without a doubt, our favourite so far in Year 9, and we left feeling inspired by the incredible potential of rewilding.

Written by Claudia C and Talia F, Year 9