Latest news with #RachelBennett
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Elk could return to UK after 3,000 years as plan wins funding
Elk could roam the English countryside for the first time in 3,000 years after funding was approved to explore plans for their eventual reintroduction into the wild. European elk are woodland foragers and wetland grazers, helping to promote the natural regeneration of woodland and maintain open clearings. They went extinct in the UK due to overhunting and a loss of habitat. "This exciting project is working towards the possibility of reintroducing elk into two existing beaver enclosures in Derbyshire and Nottingham," in central England, said Rachel Bennett, deputy director of Wilder Landscapes and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, which applied for the funding alongside the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. The Rewilding Britain charity approved the grant in the latest round of the Rewilding Innovation Fund, a twice-yearly fund supporting innovative rewilding efforts. If approved, the move would bring elk and beavers together "for the first time in 3,000 years in the UK," Bennett said in a press release issued Wednesday. "This project could demonstrate how this crucial ecosystem engineer can thrive in floodplain landscapes, shaping diverse habitats that benefit communities and support biodiversity recovery," she explained. "It may also serve as a catalyst for engaging people in the long-term benefits of returning elk to the wild." - 'Hopeful future' - The wildlife trusts must now carry out extensive research, which could take up to three years, before a final decision on whether to licence the project is made by the government, a spokesperson for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust told AFP on Thursday. "It's a complex process involving multiple stages of research and development, feasibility studies, impact assessments, and community consultations. By taking the time and effort to get it right, we can create a more hopeful future for everyone," said Rebecca Wrigley, chief executive of Rewilding Britain. The plan follows a similar scheme to reintroduce bison to one of southeast England's largest areas of ancient woodland. Three female bison were released into the countryside near Canterbury, Kent, in July 2022. A bull bison was introduced later and two baby bison have since been born. "The reserve is teeming with life in areas that were once in darkness, and you can feel a renewed energy in the woodland," said bison ranger Hannah Mackins. "This project shows the incredible power of nature to heal and gives us hope for the future," she added. jwp/jkb/sbk
France 24
08-05-2025
- General
- France 24
Elk could return to UK after 3,000 years as plan wins funding
European elk are woodland foragers and wetland grazers, helping to promote the natural regeneration of woodland and maintain open clearings. They went extinct in the UK due to overhunting and a loss of habitat. "This exciting project is working towards the possibility of reintroducing elk into two existing beaver enclosures in Derbyshire and Nottingham," in central England, said Rachel Bennett, deputy director of Wilder Landscapes and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, which applied for the funding alongside the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. The Rewilding Britain charity approved the grant in the latest round of the Rewilding Innovation Fund, a twice-yearly fund supporting innovative rewilding efforts. If approved, the move would bring elk and beavers together "for the first time in 3,000 years in the UK," Bennett said in a press release issued Wednesday. "This project could demonstrate how this crucial ecosystem engineer can thrive in floodplain landscapes, shaping diverse habitats that benefit communities and support biodiversity recovery," she explained. "It may also serve as a catalyst for engaging people in the long-term benefits of returning elk to the wild." 'Hopeful future' The wildlife trusts must now carry out extensive research, which could take up to three years, before a final decision on whether to licence the project is made by the government, a spokesperson for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust told AFP on Thursday. "It's a complex process involving multiple stages of research and development, feasibility studies, impact assessments, and community consultations. By taking the time and effort to get it right, we can create a more hopeful future for everyone," said Rebecca Wrigley, chief executive of Rewilding Britain. The plan follows a similar scheme to reintroduce bison to one of southeast England's largest areas of ancient woodland. Three female bison were released into the countryside near Canterbury, Kent, in July 2022. A bull bison was introduced later and two baby bison have since been born. "The reserve is teeming with life in areas that were once in darkness, and you can feel a renewed energy in the woodland," said bison ranger Hannah Mackins.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Elk could return to UK after 3,000 years
Elk could be reintroduced to Britain for the first time in 3,000 years. After securing funding from Rewilding Britain, a conservation group is hoping elk will follow in the footsteps of beavers, bison and white-tailed eagles in making a celebrated return to the British countryside. The reintroduction of woodland foragers and wetlands grazers such as elk is seen as 'absolutely crucial' by Wilder Landscapes and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to help repair ecosystems. Their grazing and trampling could begin within three years inside fenced beaver enclosures at two nature reserves – Wellington Wetlands near Derby and Idle Valley near Retford. The success of which could then open the door to their introduction in the wild. Rachel Bennett, the deputy director of the trust, said: 'This exciting project could demonstrate how this crucial ecosystem engineer can thrive in floodplain landscapes, shaping diverse habitats that benefit communities and support biodiversity recovery. 'It may also serve as a catalyst for engaging people in the long-term benefits of returning elk to the wild.' Elk a 'keystone species' Elk, which is the same species as moose in North America, were wiped out in Britain around 3,000 years ago as a result of overhunting and the draining of the wetlands they inhabited. Elk are one of three deer species that are native to the UK, alongside red and roe deer. In plans boosted by funding this week, several other projects have benefited from up to £15,000 from Rewilding Britain to help support innovative rewilding efforts. Rebecca Wrigley, chief executive of Rewilding Britain, said: 'Keystone species like elk, bison and beaver play a vital role in bringing nature back to life. 'They help repair ecosystems and shape wild places in ways that benefit wildlife, people and the climate. Successfully reintroducing missing species like these is absolutely crucial. 'It's a complex process involving multiple stages of research and development, feasibility studies, impact assessments, and community consultations. 'By taking the time and effort to get it right, we can create a more hopeful future for everyone.' It follows the Wilder Blean project, which saw the European bison – the continent's largest land mammal – released into 50 hectares of woodland near Canterbury in July 2022. Paul Whitfield, the director general at Wildwood Trust, said: 'The success of Wilder Blean has demonstrated what an astonishing impact bison can have on their environment in a relatively short space of time, as well as the amazing opportunities their reintroduction presents for eco-tourism and education. 'We'd love to see reintroduction projects like Wilder Blean taking place at appropriate sites across the UK, bringing the benefits of this amazing keystone species to multiple habitats.' In total, 13 projects have been awarded funding, including one helping to bring beavers back to the northern Highlands, another looking to increase tree species diversity in the area and a seagrass restoration feasibility study in Cornwall. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pensacola unveils design plans for Hollice T. Williams Park
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — A vision to reimagine Hollice T. Williams Park and Long Hollow Stormwater Pond. Why Century Correctional Institution inmates are building tiny homes 'Basically what you see here right now is this underutilized green space.' Rachel Bennett, CRA Urban Design Planner for the City of Pensacola said. In hopes of changing that, the city unveiled its proposed Vision Plan for the 60-acre park that sits under I-110. The design includes multi-use paths, playgrounds, recreation areas and an event lawn. It's all in an area that's rich in history. The park was once home to hundreds of African-American families, churches, and businesses. However, according to the city, due to the construction of the I-110 interstate, the entire neighborhood was displaced, disrupting generations of history, culture, and economic advancement. 'It's really a chance to bring the community back together. Really honor that community,' Bennett said. But the work to carry out this vision is going to take time. The work will be done in phases with phase 1 expected to be complete in 2027. 'Phase one basically includes the design and expansion of the Long Hollow storm water pond which is to the west of the Cecil T. Hunter Pool, as well as the Cecil T. Hunter Block between Blount Street and Avery,' Bennett said. The City plans to use $25 million in grant funding for the planning, design, and construction of phase 1. The entire four-phase plan spans 20 years. However, Bennett says it could be completed sooner with additional funding. Gulf Coast Whale Festival organizers release event lineup The city plans to have their next public engagement event in June for members of the community to share their input on the plans. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
