Wilder
Connections
Reconnecting people with nature and the changing landscape at Wilder Doddington.
Wilder Connections unlocks social and economic benefits for the local community through nature recovery at Wilder Doddington. The project brings together people, nature and place through a programme of learning and wellbeing activities.
Wilder Connections was made possible through a £1.9 million investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, supported by National Lottery players, and £250,000 of support from Anglian Water.
Empowering the local community through delivering wellbeing, learning and engagement, we bring hands-on people-power to support and enhance Wilder Doddington.
School Visits
Our school visits are designed to encourage pupils to build a lasting connection with nature. Outside of the classroom, our Forest School sessions also provide woodland-based learning for children and their families.
Alternative Provision
Our alternative provision programme, Wilder Horizons, offers young people a supportive learning environment where they can build skills, gain practical experience and improve their wellbeing. Through hands-on activities in nature, learners are given the space to find calm, grow in confidence and discover new ways of learning.
Higher Education
For those in higher education, Wilder Doddington offers opportunities for students and academics to develop field skills and undertake key research projects at Doddington in partnership with the University of Lincoln.
Young Darwin Scholarships
Through the Wilder Connections programme, and in conjunction with the Field Studies Council, we have been able to offer Young Darwin Scholarships, which support young people with a strong interest in the natural world to develop their skills and professional networks to aid their future career.
Wellbeing Visits
Connecting people with the healing power of nature, we host wellbeing visits with community groups, mental health organisations and other vulnerable groups from the local area.
Trails
We have been able to open up Wilder Doddington to visitors, introducing new trails, inclusive interpretation and fun citizen science activities, helping more people explore and engage with the landscape.
The Wild House
At the heart of the project has been the development of the Wild House. England’s first Passivhaus Premium non-domestic building, this innovative building provides a base for our Wilder Connections activities.
What is
WILDER DODDINGTON?
Wilder Doddington is a 400-year vision to bring more nature back to the Doddington Estate, reconnecting the landscape, nature and people.
Wildlife at
Doddington
We’re recording and monitoring local wildlife to establish a baseline and track how habitats and species change over time, with support from volunteers and students.
Wetter Better
Project
Delivered with the Freshwater Habitat Trust and River Restoration Centre, this project is supporting nature recovery by rewetting previously drained farmland on the estate.
Our impact
Wilder Connections is designed to build the business models, partnerships and capacity to ensure the long-term impact of Wilder Doddington and its ecological, social and economic outcomes.
As part of this, the following actions help to ensure that Wilder Doddington inspires similar projects and builds support among funders and policy-makers:
Public relations and online engagement to raise awareness of Wilder Connections and share its impact more widely.
Sharing our learning and approach with partners and specialist audiences through open-access data, case studies and events.
Communicating through digital platforms, online channels and industry conferences to reach a broader audience.
The
Wild House
A pioneering building in the heart of Wilder Doddington, this purpose-built space gives people the chance to take the path less followed, refocus the mind and reconnect with nature.
Our Conservation
Charity
Founded in 2006, the Doddington Hall Conservation Charity aims to conserve, restore, enhance and protect the natural and cultural heritage of Doddington for the long-term benefit of the wider community.
A few words from Claire Birch, Project Director for Wilder Doddington and owner of Doddington Hall.
“I was incredibly fortunate to have parents who were passionate about nature. I now see that this gave me an inbuilt sense of connectedness to nature and an appreciation of the interdependence between humans and the natural world. This has been a huge driver in my adult life.
The climate and biodiversity crises have arisen in part because the number of those lucky enough to feel such a connection has drastically declined and there is a lack of understanding of the huge range of ecological, economic, and social benefits that nature brings us.
The Wilder Connections project is designed to realise a fantastic opportunity at Doddington to help address this. Thanks to National Lottery players we are going to develop a wide range of projects designed to help people build their understanding of nature, their connection to it, and to benefit from all the health, happiness and resilience it can bring.
We want to demonstrate the true value of nature, to influence policy and research, and ultimately to create opportunities for people to play their part in a more sustainable future.”
Wilder Connections
PARTNERS
Our Wilder Connections project is made possible with funding and support from:
Julian Free
Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lincoln
“Through Wilder Connections, we're able to connect a much wider range of students and staff with this beautiful location and build the knowledge and skills needed for a healthy future for citizens and the planet.”
Follow our journey to get Wilder
Enter your details for all the latest updates and insights about our Wilder Doddington project. No spam, just the good stuff.