The Wilder Doddington project formally started on 5 June 2021, with a bold and exciting plan to turn our intensively farmed arable fields, our heavily grazed grassland and our woodland into a haven for nature. To start the process we are allowing the land to breathe, rest and recover, and allowing natural regeneration of the vegetation to occur. To give a helpful nudge to some processes we are adding ponds and wetlands, and putting back missing keystone species like wild ponies and pigs. Already our soils are improving, and the vegetation, insect, bird and animal life is beginning to thrive.
It is surprising that the proportion of Lincolnshire’s population who access the countryside is amongst the lowest in the country (ref.), and yet we know that being able to experience and spend time in nature is restorative to mental and physical wellbeing, happiness and joy. That is why we are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to nature, providing opportunities to relax, learn, explore and be inspired by the outdoors. Nature connectedness for our local communities is a vital part of Wilder Doddington.
We are building a vibrant community of enthusiastic volunteers. We help them learn, gain new skills and connect with nature, and they help us realise our dreams for Wilder Doddington.
We aim to inspire, encourage, teach and nurture people and engender a love, care and respect for nature. Joy and curiosity for the world around us is at the heart of what we hope to achieve by engaging everyone from nursery age children right through the age groups. We will soon have an innovative new classroom, community rooms and forest school area. We are working with schools, universities, community groups, organisations and charities to deliver nature-based education.