Nightingales Return: Young Activists Accelerate Nature

Maple Farm, once a retirement home for horses, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past four years, becoming a testament to the power of youth-led rewilding. Under the guidance of the Youngwilders, a group dedicated to accelerating nature recovery, the 12-hectare site has seen a significant return of wildlife. The most striking success is the resurgence of nightingales, whose songs now fill the air, a rare sound in much of Britain.

Beyond the nightingales, Maple Farm is now bustling with life, including grass snakes, slowworms, bats, and an abundance of insects and butterflies. The Youngwilders achieved this by removing 1.2km of fencing to unify the landscape, planting hedgerows, and reducing grazing pressure to allow native flora to flourish. Their hands-on approach, inspired by rewilding pioneers, includes practical tasks like removing invasive species and protecting saplings, all while fostering a deeper connection to nature for young people.

This initiative addresses the growing "climate anxiety" among young people by offering a tangible way to engage with environmental issues. By providing access, agency, and hands-on experience, the Youngwilders are not only restoring ecosystems but also empowering a generation to take meaningful action. Their model, which prioritizes youth involvement and learning by doing, is now being replicated at 12 other sites across the UK, demonstrating a scalable solution for nature restoration.