Wildlife Trusts secures £30m for Rothbury Estate rewilding project

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 05:26 · Archive

Conservationists have raised £30m to purchase a 9,500-acre Northumberland estate for nature recovery.

Conservationists have finalised the purchase of Northumberland's Rothbury Estate, a 9,500-acre site, for £30m in what is described as the largest land buy in England for years. The estate will be used to integrate farming friendly to nature and promote wildlife recovery. More than 25,000 members of the public from 50 countries donated £17m towards the purchase after Sir David Attenborough championed the campaign. The Government contributed £1.9m through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund provided £5m.

Sir David praised the public response, saying the campaign had been successful and that the estate would become 'a place where nature, community, farming and heritage can combine to create something very special for generations to come'. Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said he felt 'elated' at the outcome and 'humbled' by public support, noting that 'it has been a long haul and it hasn't all been easy'.

The Rothbury Estate was put up for sale by the Duke of Northumberland's youngest son, Max Percy, two years ago. At more than 3,800 hectares (nearly 15 square miles), it is the largest piece of land in single ownership to have come up for sale in England for more than 30 years.

How it is being reported

• Attenborough-backed appeal secures £30m estateThe purchase of the vast Rothbury Estate by wildlife groups is hailed as "something very special".BBC Science · 30 Oct, 06:16
• David Attenborough issues heartfelt thanks after conservationists purchase 'extraordinary landscape'Sir David Attenborough has issued his heartfelt thanks after conservationists completed the purchase of an "extraordinary landscape". The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust have completed the largest land purchase in England for decades after buying up the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland. Sir David, the Government, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and individual donors funded the purchase of the 9,500-acre moorland estate, worth £30million. The scheme will introduce more nature-friendly farming, restore bogs and promote wildlife on a site the size of Athens. TRENDING…GB News · 30 Oct, 05:57
• Wildlife Trusts hit £30m target to buy and rewild huge Northumberland estateAbout 25,000 members of public chip in £17m towards 3,800-hectare Rothbury estate, described as ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ One of the most ambitious nature recovery projects ever undertaken in England can go ahead after campaigners announced they had raised £30m to buy an estate in Northumberland. The Wildlife Trusts’ bid to buy the Rothbury estate , an area the size of Athens, had been championed by David Attenborough who on Friday thanked the public for their help. Continue reading...The Guardian · 30 Oct, 05:00
• David Attenborough praises public for £1m donation after Rothbury Estate victoryConservationists finalised the biggest land buy in England for years as they secured a 9,500-acre estate for natureThe Independent · 30 Oct, 00:01

In this story: David Attenborough · Northumberland Wildlife Trust · The Wildlife Trusts · Rothbury Estate · Northumberland · Max Percy

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