The Wildlife Trusts’ big wild year 2023 – hundreds of new projects offer hope for nature’s recovery

From the far reaches of Orkney to the shores of Alderney, there is a host of exciting nature recovery projects on land and sea starting this year. We’ve pulled together a whistle-stop guide to what’s new for The Wildlife Trusts in our Big Wild Year 2023. These projects are full of hope – every day, staff and volunteers across the UK are restoring nature and tackling the climate crisis.

The Wildlife Trusts are working for change in 2023 – see our Top 10 issues for The Wildlife Trusts and nature’s recovery in 2023.

Annual nature dates for your diary:
Wild About Gardens – our new campaign for wilder lawns, led with RHS, will start mid-March
30 Days Wild – the challenge to do one wild thing every day during June
National Marine Week – seaside events, activities and inspiration from 22 July – 6 August
Big Wild Walk – our annual fundraising challenge at the end of October

In June we’ll celebrate the 10th anniversary of Coronation Meadows. It is a decade since the scheme was launched by King Charles III to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation. Over 60 wonderful new wildflower meadows have been created or restored by Wildlife Trusts.

Here are just five of the hundreds of projects you’ll find in our Big Wild Year 2023:
Cambridgeshire and Cornwall get a lot wilder – Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust aims to reconnect the historic Woodwalton Fen and Holme Fen National Nature Reserves for the first time since 1850, creating a fantastic swathe of wetland across the Great Fen. In the south west, the expansion of Helman Tor nature reserve will be the first step in Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s ambition to create the largest nature recovery project in the county.

Empowering young nature advocates – The five Welsh Wildlife Trusts are inspiring young people to protect nature and take action for the climate through Stand For Nature Wales. Activities include stargazing, bat walks and a youth summit.

Championing wildlife on farms – Trusts are working with farmers to help wildlife recover across the UK. On the Isle of Man, Manx Wildlife Trust is helping farmers across 68% of farmland by surveying, enhancing and protecting nature – that’s 49% of the whole island.

Sustainable creel fishing – Cumbria Wildlife Trust is helping local fishermen trial sustainable creel fishing for langoustines and scampi. This low-impact method of fishing is vital for the future of seabed habitat recovery, carbon storage and marine life.

Wilder Marches – a new project across two countries, three major river catchments and four Wildlife Trusts aims to kickstart nature’s recovery across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire by creating and restoring nature at scale.
From dormice, beavers and ospreys to the carnivorous plant in Lancashire that’s the fastest feeder on earth, do search our Big Wild Year 2023 – it’s bursting with wildlife!