Rewilding in Action: New Somerset Report Shows Nature Fighting Back

(c) Pete Matthews Heal Beaver

As the UK continues to grapple with a biodiversity crisis, a new report from national charity Heal Rewilding offers something that is often in short supply when talking about nature recovery: evidence that positive change is possible.

The charity has published its first-ever Heal Somerset State of Nature 2026 report, documenting the remarkable ecological progress being made at its rewilding site in Somerset since acquiring the land in December 2022.

Designed to mirror the format of the UK's wider State of Nature reports, the publication focuses entirely on nature-led recovery and highlights how rewilding can play a significant role in restoring biodiversity, improving climate resilience and rebuilding healthier ecosystems.

The findings are encouraging.

Thirty-five surveys have been carried out so far, including five formal baseline studies. Researchers recorded 60 breeding bird species, 15 bat species, 404 invertebrate species and 113 vascular plant species. A comparative survey of small mammals found five species and 49 individual animals at Heal Somerset, compared with just three species and 17 individuals on a nearby organic dairy farm.

Informal observations have also revealed an impressive diversity of wildlife. Since 2023, visitors and surveyors have recorded 94 bird species, including 21 red-listed and 28 amber-listed species, alongside 24 species of butterfly.

The report arrives at a time when rewilding is gaining momentum across Britain. According to Rewilding Britain, more than 1,000 rewilding projects covering over 206,000 hectares are now part of its national network.

Heal Rewilding co-founder Jan Stannard believes that while inspiring wildlife stories are valuable, hard evidence is essential if rewilding is to become a recognised part of national nature recovery strategies.

The charity says its monitoring programme is about more than simply counting species. Long-term data collection aims to understand how ecosystems recover when nature is allowed greater freedom to shape the landscape itself.

Beyond supporting wildlife, rewilding can deliver wider environmental benefits. Healthy ecosystems help store carbon, improve soil quality, manage water more effectively and increase resilience to extreme weather events such as flooding, drought and heatwaves.

Perhaps most importantly, the report offers a rare sense of optimism. While the UK's biodiversity challenges remain significant, Heal Somerset demonstrates that when land is given space to recover, nature can respond surprisingly quickly.

The charity plans to publish updated reports every four to five years, creating a long-term record of ecological recovery and helping ensure rewilding has a stronger voice in future national assessments of Britain's natural environment.

https://www.healrewilding.org.uk/