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Pigs Turn Ancient Hunting Ground into Nature Haven
14 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Harold's Park Wildland is a 509-acre nature reserve.
- The land was formerly a royal hunting ground.
- Soft engineering with pigs, cattle, and ponies aids biodiversity.
Harold's Park Wildland, a significant 509-acre nature reserve located in Waltham Abbey, Essex, is undergoing a remarkable transformation. This historic site, once a royal hunting ground, is being reshaped from unsuccessful farmland and a failed Christmas tree plantation into a flourishing nature haven.
The project is employing a strategy of 'soft engineering,' a natural process designed to manage environmental challenges and boost biodiversity. This approach leverages the power of natural elements to restore and enhance the ecological value of the land.
Leading this ambitious environmental revival are three Iron Age pigs. Their role is crucial in initiating the process, which will be followed by the introduction of cattle and ponies to further invigorate the landscape and promote a rich, diverse ecosystem.
