Strawberry Hill Rewilding Site Secured by £1.5 Million Public Appeal

The Bedfordshire haven for endangered species was saved through widespread public generosity and crowdfunding efforts.

The 377-acre Strawberry Hill site in Bedfordshire, left to rewild for 37 years, has been purchased by the Beds, Cambs, and Northants Wildlife Trust.
The site is home to endangered species such as nightingales, turtle doves, and 11 bat species, making it a crucial conservation area.
More than 3,800 individual donations and significant contributions from trusts and private donors helped reach the £1.5 million target.
Strawberry Hill's transformation from farmland to scrubland and young woodland has created a unique habitat for diverse wildlife.
The site will serve as a model for rewilding, with plans to trial different conservation management techniques and provide visitor facilities.