Wildwood’s mission is to protect, conserve, and rewild British wildlife.
Wildwood is a native species conservation charity established in 2002 to push the boundaries of innovative conservation and rewilding. We work with nature to fight the biodiversity crisis, to halt the extinction of species and to create resilient habitats in which nature thrives. We focus on nature-based solutions to return native species and recreating truly wild spaces.
Rewilding, through the reintroduction of keystone species, is the most powerful tool we have. These animals change the landscape by creating the space and complexity for hundreds of other species to recover and thrive. Wildwood’s experience and expertise in working with native species means we can work effectively across the UK in many projects.
From humble beginnings in breeding and releasing small mammals we’ve built up an impressive portfolio of native species reintroductions.
Through effective partnership working, we have introduced European Bison to Kent for the first time in the UK, with the aim of restoring 600 hectares of ancient woodland.
We are helping return the European Beaver back to Britain as part of a fenland restoration project.
In 2023 we successfully released the first group red-billed chough, a culturally iconic species, to the skies above Dover; the first time the chough has been wild in Kent for over 200 years.
Wildwood has bred and reintroduced many species; water voles as part of development mitigation work, red squirrels onto Anglesey Island and into parts of North Wales, and dormice into suitable areas of former range.
We are proud to be a collaborative organisation and, with like-minded conservation partners, we are now working towards the reintroduction of wildcats across Britain, pine martens to the south of England, and breeding White Clawed Crayfish in Devon.
Education is a fundamental part of what Wildwood does.
People are by far the most influential keystone species on our planet.
We have the ability to change the world. Our actions can safeguard nature and give our wildlife a chance for a future.
In a time of eco anxiety we extend a message of hope and inspiration.
Through rewilding and restoring lost species and by showing others how they can help, we can begin to heal the harm to our natural world.
To make conservation successful, we need to inspire people to make a difference, and most importantly, give them the skills to do so. By kindling a passion for wildlife, we can motivate their sense of responsibility to safeguard it.
Wildwood brings the wonder of our natural world to life through our ancient woodland wildlife parks. We tell the story of Britain’s changing wild places and give people the chance to experience and connect with our native wildlife.
Surrounded by native species, the next generation of rewilders can learn how to create a future where people and nature thrive together.
Our parks in Kent and Devon offer inspiring experiences.
Visitors can encounter over 200 native animals from different eras as they stroll along scenic woodlands. They can admire bears and bison, red squirrels, otters, wolves and beavers.
The parks also serve as our conservation centres where we raise endangered species for release into the wild.