Our Impact

Clean Water

The Ancient Heart of a new Nature Reserve.

We want to see cleaner, healthier, and more biodiverse freshwater ecosystems throughout the UK. At each of our sites we are looking to improve the water quality of our rivers, lakes, and streams.

To achieve this we are adding large woody debris to slow the flow creating new scrapes and wetlands, and restoring the natural paths of our watercourses. We are managing livestock away from these watercourses, eliminating pesticide and fertiliser use, and planting winter cover crops and buffer strips to reduce pollutant and sediment runoff and improve water quality as a result.

Realising these changes will increase the biodiversity value of our estates, as well as the water quality, both locally and across the wider catchments in which we operate.

Carbon Storage

We are dedicated to protecting and enhancing existing carbon stores, such as ancient woodlands and deep peatlands, while also increasing carbon sequestration through natural woodland regeneration, targeted tree planting, and peatland restoration.

Our approach to woodland creation is centred on creating essential habitats for wildlife, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting carbon sequestration and storage. We are committed to ensuring that all new planting activities align with our core values and contribute positively to our goals of Scaling Conservation.

Our approach to woodland creation is centred on creating essential habitats for wildlife, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting carbon sequestration and storage. We are committed to ensuring that all new planting activities align with our core values and contribute positively to our goals of Scaling Conservation.

Our peatland projects restore degraded habitats in order to store carbon, provide better habitats for wildlife, and restore natural hydrological cycles by purifying water and reducing downstream flooding.

Spaces for Wildlife

Working at the landscape scale, we take every opportunity to restore natural processes, reintroduce species, and embrace the principles of bigger, better, more connected spaces for nature. We believe that by doing so we can help restore natural ecosystems and create a more diverse and resilient landscape.

We are also committed to promoting sustainable land management practices that support the restoration of natural ecosystems. This includes reducing the use of harmful chemicals and promoting natural soil health, which can help support the growth of native plants and the reintroduction of native species.

Reintroduction of native species is key to our aims of restoring natural processes as well as inspiring and engaging people with the natural world. We are actively involved in discussions to reintroduce multiple species that have been lost from our estates, including beaver, pine marten and red squirrels.

Management of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) such as rhododendron and Himalayan balsam also forms a significant part of our longer-term plans due to the significant harm they cause to local flora and fauna. We work with industry-leading practitioners to help develop and implement novel techniques to create exemplar case studies of invasive species removal.

Community Homes

We currently provide homes for around 60 tenants across our estates. We aim to increase this number over time as we refurbish empty properties: bringing them back into residential use and helping to meet local housing needs.  

We will work with local authorities and key stakeholders to bring forward proposals for sustainable, high–quality rental housing. 

Our projects will create accessible, sustainable homes for local people, as well as potentially incorporating workspace for local businesses too – primarily through the creative reuse of existing buildings. To achieve this low energy, low impact, sustainable and climate-resilient building designs will be delivered through modern, efficient methods of construction. 

As a company, we are deeply committed to minimising our impact on the natural world and taking a holistic approach to sustainability. To achieve this, we consider the full lifetime impact of our decisions, actions, and ways of working, ensuring that we make choices that support long-term sustainability and resilience. 

In our land management, property improvement, and development plans, we prioritise circular economy principles. By embracing this approach, we aim to reduce waste and minimise our reliance on new resources by maximising the reuse and recycling of materials at every opportunity. 

Our commitment to circular economy principles is rooted in our belief that we have a responsibility to create a more sustainable future. By prioritising the careful management of resources and the reduction of waste, we can minimise our environmental impact and contribute positively to the communities where we operate. 

Nature Engagement

In our modern world, we have become increasingly disconnected from the natural world, often taking for granted the complex systems that underpin our daily lives. As a company, we recognise the importance of reconnecting with nature and are committed to creating opportunities for people to engage with the environment, nature, and wildlife.

Across our portfolio of land holdings, we are working to create a range of ecotourism experiences that allow visitors to connect with the natural world. By immersing themselves in nature, we believe that people can develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the environment and its importance.

We recognise that our ecotourism experiences are not only an opportunity for individuals to reconnect with nature but also an opportunity to inspire the next generation of environmental custodians and champions.

Education & Learning

We are committed to being ambassadors for change, challenging the status quo, and encouraging others to join us in our mission to create a more sustainable and resilient future. Through our work, we hope to inspire a new generation of environmental leaders who are passionate about preserving the natural world.

We invite people to experience and study the landscapes that we care for, sharing our stories and conveying our passion for conservation, the people we meet, and the adventures we discover.

We are collaborating with academic institutions and key partners to set up the first Blue Carbon Laboratory in order to better understand how marine habitats can help store carbon. By advancing our understanding of these vital systems, we can implement more effective strategies for mitigating climate change and preserving our planet’s biodiversity.

Green Jobs

We recognise that addressing climate change and reversing the biodiversity crisis requires the collective effort of the brightest minds in the industry. As a company, we are committed to doing our part by creating aspirational employment opportunities within the environmental sector. By doing so, we aim to attract and retain the best talent in the country, enabling us to work towards sustainable and resilient solutions.

Our commitment to employment opportunities is grounded in our belief that investing in people is the key to achieving sustainable change. By creating a culture of excellence, we can leverage the expertise and innovation of our workforce to find solutions that promote sustainability and environmental stewardship.

We are also committed to creating local employment opportunities aligned with conservation, regenerative agriculture, and ecotourism.

Regenerative Agriculture

We are committed to working closely with our farming partners to transition our entire land holding to organic certification and exceed the highest welfare standards for livestock and animal management.

We recognise that the transition to organic farming can be a challenging process, but we believe that the long-term benefits are worth the effort. By eliminating the use of harmful chemicals and promoting natural soil health, we can create a more resilient and sustainable food system that benefits both the environment and local communities.

In addition to promoting organic farming practices, we are also committed to ensuring that all livestock and animals under our care are treated with the utmost respect and care. We believe that by exceeding the highest welfare standards, we can create a more ethical and sustainable food system that benefits everyone involved.

Clean Energy

We are committed to identifying opportunities to generate renewable energy alongside our environmental and conservation ambitions.

We are exploring opportunities to combine solar farming with arable or pastoral production, as well as incorporating wind over canopy as part of our new woodland creation programs. By integrating renewable energy generation into our land management practices, we believe that we can reduce our environmental impact while also creating new economic opportunities.

We recognise that the transition to renewable energy generation will require significant changes in the way that we use and manage our land. To achieve this goal, we are committed to working in partnership with relevant authorities and stakeholders to identify opportunities for sustainable energy development that balance the needs of local communities and the natural environment.