Wildlife Trusts Seek £30M for Historic Rothbury Estate

The Wildlife Trusts are in a critical phase of fundraising to purchase the vast Rothbury Estate for £30 million, an opportunity described as 'once-in-thirty-years.' To date, they have raised more than a third of the target amount, drawing support from high-profile figures like Sir David Attenborough and a wide range of public donations.

The ambitious plans for the 15-square-mile estate include significant wildlife enhancement, bog restoration, and promoting nature-friendly farming. A notable proposal is the potential reintroduction of European bison, a species extinct in Britain for thousands of years, though reintroducing predators like bears and wolves is deemed unlikely.

This conservation effort, however, is met with mixed reactions. While many residents, like the Rothbury Women's Institute, support the initiative, tenant farmers express concerns. They fear that changes, such as reducing sheep numbers and altering land management, could negatively impact local communities and traditional farming practices.

The Wildlife Trusts have until September of this year to finalize the purchase, having already secured a portion of the land, the Simonside Hills. They are exploring government grants but have not yet found suitable funding for a purchase of this scale.