Our vision & approach

Our vision is for Moor Barton to be a site of ecological restoration, thriving wildlife and healthy communities.

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Here at Moor Barton Wilding, our approach is to create a mosaic of ecologically rich habitats: wood pasture, hazel coppice, transitional edge, conifer woodland, wetland, veteran trees, wildflower glades and closed canopy woodland. One of the keys to our approach is to mimic or introduce keystone species. The other is to engage in a process of reciprocity with the land, tending and honouring it. We believe humans and nature are not separate from one another but need to work in a relationship of reciprocity to enable both to thrive. 

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Our caretaking work is underpinned by ecological research and theory and we are supported by a number of ecologists. We use many traditional skills and land management practices such as coppicing, hedge laying and bringing in grazing animals. These skills and practices increase the biodiversity on the land and contribute to keeping these skills alive. 

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Principles of permaculture and forest gardening are woven through the way we tend the land and organise the project, drawing on the expertise of many involved in the running Moor Barton Wilding. We believe that producing food is a responsibility that comes with access to the land. To add to the existing abundance of the land for humans and the rest of nature, we’ve planted and are tending local varieties of fruit and nut trees across the site. 

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It is also important to our vision to bring people together to connect to nature, learn about rewilding and be inspired to take action in their own communities and local ecosystems. We offer opportunities to adults and children to connect to the wild nature of the land and also the wild nature within themselves through volunteer days, camps and courses.