Belmont Estate

This week has been a roller coaster of news from environmental policy u-turns to the latest State of Nature report, all painting a bleak picture of the future of the British Isles. With 1 in 6 species at risk of extinction, it has never been more imperative to restore our landscapes and improve the health of habitats. On occasions like this, we must provide hope and a glimpse of a solution.   With the construction of our wetlands now complete, and all staff and equipment vacating the site leaving the existing Land Yeo River reconnected to its original floodplain, it’s time to let nature take over and let the site recover and grow.   We are proud of what has been completed within 4 months. What was once a degraded agricultural field has been restored into a complex wetland ecosystem and will develop into a wild landscape in the years to come.    If a project like this can be delivered within 4 months, can you imagine what could be achieved across the UK with the correct capital and resources? While government funding plays a critical role in nature recovery, private capital is essential for achieving restoration goals on a broad scale and at the pace required for a liveable future. The urgency of environmental restoration requires innovative financing models that leverage the resources and expertise of the private sector.    Our wetlands project serves as a testament to the power of natural capital and demonstrates that if expertise, resources and finance are aligned with ecological ambition, remarkable progress can be made. It has never been more important. Source: State of Nature #NatureRecovery #Wetlands #HabitatRestoration

As children return to school for the new year, we're excited to release further dates for our free nature connection programme including our 'Rewilders Days', our activity days designed especially for families with 3-5-year-olds. These provide the perfect opportunities for little explorers to step away from the classroom and immerse themselves in the wonders of nature. With opportunities to splash in streams, squish through mud, feel the textures of leaves, and encounter free-roaming animals, our connection programme offers a vital space for children to be in nature, build friendships, and simply just play. We have opportunities for local schools, families, charities and community organisations to experience the wonders of Watercress Farm. All sessions are free of charge as we believe in removing as many barriers to entry for people to access green space. If you are interested in joining us to connect and play, register your interest today (links in the comments below) 💚 #Nature #Play #Connection #GreenHealth #Children #Schools #NatureEducation #Bristol #SouthWest

Misty mornings in Watercress Farm 🕸️ 📸 Estate Manager, Luke Price strolling through the rewilding project.

🐝🪲🐞🦋 Biodiversity Milestone 🦋🐞🪲🐝 We have now recorded over 2000 species of animals and plants within our rewilding project. This year alone, nearly 400 new species have been added, showing how much can be achieved with dedicated restoration efforts. This is especially significant during a week when world leaders gather at #COP16 in Colombia to set the course for global biodiversity. Despite agreeing to “halt and reverse” nature loss in a historic agreement two years ago, 80% of governments have failed to submit their plans for achieving this. When we began this journey, Watercress Farm was a degraded arable farm - a landscape shaped by intensive agriculture, with limited habitat for wildlife. Fast-forward four years, and it’s now teeming with life. Our wetland restoration project has helped shape this success, attracting seven new bird species, including the Great Egret, Little Grebe, Common Sandpiper and Snipe. We have also recorded over 50 new species of moths and 150 new species of bugs, beetles, and insects this year. This may be a small story compared to the discussions at COP16, but it carries an urgent message: giving nature space to heal truly works and it needs to be done on a much faster and larger scale. As we celebrate this milestone, we urge our leaders to act boldly, accelerating nationwide efforts in habitat restoration to meet the 30by30 target. Time is running out, but with the right action, we can still make a difference. #Nature #Rewilding #Biodiversity #WetlandRestoration #Species #EcologicalRestoration #NatureRecovery #30by30 #Restoration #BiodiversityFramework

Soaring into a new week...🦉 Yesterday evening, one of our wildlife volunteers, Andrew Barnard photographed a beautiful barn owl hunting above the fields of our rewilding project. Although the species has been seen on-site before and previous attempts to capture it on camera have been made, this marks a photography first for Belmont. The photographs taken by our volunteers and the local community help us document these milestones, highlighting the positive impact of rewilding on local wildlife. Without the enthusiasm and support of those who believe in our vision, moments like these might go unnoticed. We are immensely grateful to everyone who supports us. #BarnOwl #Photography #Rewilding #Volunteer #Nature #WildlifePhotography #Community #Birds #Species #Ecosystem

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has once again amazed us, receiving a record-breaking 59,228 entries from 117 countries and territories. The overall winners and the 18 category winners of this prestigious competition were revealed at last night's awards ceremony by London’s Natural History Museum. These breathtaking images capture the beauty and complexity of the natural world, offering powerful stories that inspire us to protect wildlife and wild spaces. At Belmont, we believe in the power of photography to engage and connect people with nature. That’s why we proudly showcase the incredible photos taken by our passionate wildlife volunteers on social. Every image tells a unique story, revealing the wonders of nature right here in our nature recovery projects. Whether it's a fleeting moment with a kingfisher or the playfulness of a fox cub, photos do more than just document—they captivate hearts and drive the conversation on conservation. 📸 Some of the category winners in order: Shane Gross, Karine Aigner, John E Marriot, Inigo Arndt, Thomas Peschak, Igor Metelskiy, Janicco Kelk, Fortunato Gatto #WildlifePhotography #Storytelling #Nature #Species #NaturalHistory #Wildlife #Conservation #Connection #Stories

We're thrilled that the Bristol Naturalists' Society has featured an extensive review of our rewilding project, Watercress Farm in the latest issue of its Nature in Avon Journal. This article documents the results of wildlife surveying and recording undertaken by volunteers from 2020 until 2023, showcasing the incredible biodiversity that is emerging on the site thanks to our rewilding efforts. We're proud that this piece reflects the wider community's interest in the project and could serve as a valuable blueprint for other landowners looking to embark on similar conservation journeys. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all our wildlife volunteer contributors for their ongoing support of the project and their dedication and hard work in making this article possible. 👉 Watercress Farm article: https://lnkd.in/emArrGVQ 👉 Membership and full journal: https://lnkd.in/eKN95zvh #Nature #Rewilding #Volunteer #Wildlife #Species #Survey #Community

IT'S A WILD LIFE 🪲💚🌍🦋🌾🌈🌸🐟🦔🦆🐝🌳 A few new species highlights from September include the Willow Emerald (IMG.1), a new addition to the dragonfly list. A species that's been making its way across the country in the last few years from origins in the South East. Another new recording was the Tephritis Divisa Fly (IMG.3). There have only been thirteen records nationally, and currently, there are none on the BRERC database. #Rewilding #Nature #Biodiversity #Species 📸 Watercress Farm by Wildlife Volunteers, Andy Barnard & Robin Martin

💚 A birds-eye view of Belmont Estate! Captured in June, this video showcases the incredible progress of the new river channel at Watercress Farm! It’s amazing to see nature already embracing the transformation – if you look closely, you'll spot some of the new residents, including a few ducks making themselves at home! 🦆 This work is a reminder that when we work with nature, rather than against it, we can achieve sustainable solutions that benefit both the environment and the people who depend on it. 📹 Thanks to PYTCH | B Corp for the footage! #RiverRestoration #RestoreWhatMatters #Rewiggling #WetlandCreation

This week, as part of our 'All Nature' series, we spotlight Belmont Estate’s Watercress Farm Rewilding Project—a groundbreaking initiative near Bristol dedicated to restoring nature, reconnecting communities, and inspiring lasting ecological and economic success. The Watercress Farm, a key part of Belmont's larger mission to regenerate land and build natural resilience, is rewilding a once-degraded landscape. This initiative is not just about combating biodiversity loss, pollution, and flood risks, but also about creating safe havens for wildlife and offering free access to thousands of community members. It's about bridging gaps between people and nature, and promoting learning, exploration, and engagement with our natural surroundings. This rewilding initiative is more than environmental restoration—it’s a community-driven transformation. Over 3000 children participate annually, fostering a deep connection with nature and promoting mental and physical well-being. By creating an ecosystem where biodiversity, conservation, and community thrive together, Watercress Farm is a blueprint for sustainable conservation practices. Watch our latest video with Gil Martin - Belmont Estates and Natural Capital Director. #Sustainability #NatureRecovery #Rewilding #Community #Conservation #CarbonCopy #EnvironmentalImpact #BelmontEstate #Biodiversity #GreenSpaces