Wilder Kent Blog

Learn more about the wildlife and wild places in Kent and beyond.

Nature Reserves A panorama of Polhill Bank on a sunny day with blue skies.

Our work transforming Polhill Bank into species-rich chalk downland

Our work at Polhill Bank has been ongoing for several years now. Over time, we have purchased more neighbouring patches of land there, adding up to around 16 hectares now under our nature-positive management. In many ways, our wilding journey in the area goes back more than a decade; in others, it’s only just begun.

Nature Reserves

Early spring plants & whitethroats: April on Hothfield Heathlands

The writer H E Bates moved from Northamptonshire to Little Chart Forstal in 1931. His deep knowledge of the countryside coloured all his writing. In ‘Through the Woods’ (1936), with fine wood engravings by Agnes Miller Parker, he wrote in loving detail about the plant and animal life in Coldham Wood, which lies due west of the Extension section of Hothfield Heathland.

Talk on the Wild Side

High-yield nature-friendly farming at Nonington, Canterbury

In the 9th episode of Talk on the Wild Side, Rob Smith talks to Emma Loder-Symonds about Nonington Farm (near Canterbury) and their regenerative approach to farming. They have managed to cut costs AND fertilisers and pesticides, while keeping yields high. Rob also talks to Liz Milne, the Natural Environment and Coast Manager for Kent County Council about the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Kent.

How to enable landscape resilience

Industrial agriculture was designed to maximise the production of a single crop or animal, but these practices are not always best for the environment or the farmer. The solution is to build a resilient landscape where food production is maximised AND in harmony with nature.

The role of IT in conservation

The integration of technology into environmental conservation has revolutionised the way we protect and manage our natural resources. From remote sensing to artificial intelligence, technological advancements are providing innovative solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges.

Campaigns and Projects Blean Vegetation May 2022
Donovan Wright

Using Starlink on our reserves

James Millsom-Mills, Operations Manager & Data Protection Officer, explores how the rapid advancement of technology provides a solution to the unique challenges of modern-day conservation.

Planning and Policy A flowering field that has very low intensity summer sheep grazing to extend the flowering time of the grassland
Alison Ruyter

What is the Kent BNG Site Register?

Nicky Britton Williams (Planning and Policy Manager at Kent Wildlife Trust, and Kent Biodiversity Net Gain Officer) and Robbie Still (Head of Digital Development at Kent Wildlife Trust) talk all things BNG in this blog. The exciting new Kent Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Register is set to become a vital tool for the delivery of BNG within our county!