Wilding
History
Coal has been mined in England for over 2000 years, and is even mentioned in Roman trade agreements. Though its potential as fuel has long been known, unearthing coal was a dangerous, laborious process.
However, following the invention of the steam engine in 1712, it soon became far cheaper to extract coal from beneath the Earth's surface. Since then, the world has become increasingly dependent on this fossil fuel.
In 2022, according to the IEA, roughly 8 billion tonnes of coal were burned globally, accounting for 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions.
Open Cast Mining
No method of extraction is more damaging ecologically than open cast.
In the 1960s, many parts of Nottinghamshire became open cast mine sites, including The Field. As this picture of a modern mine in Wales shows, all life is eradicated while the mine is in operation.
When the coal is spent, the mine shuts down. But the ecological degradation persists...
Open cast mining destroys topsoil, the thin layer of Earth containing not just soil, but worms, bacteria, fungi and various microorganisms.
Healthy topsoil can take up to 500 years to develop, and is essential for plants - and everything that relies on them - to thrive.
A Change is Gonna Come
Wild Flowers
"If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back... If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos." - E. O. Wilson
But insects are vanishing.
64% of all bugs in the UK have been wiped out since 2004 (Bugs Matter Survey).
They need our help.
Native wild flowers are the best possible source of nectar for local life. Just as beautiful as invasive species, they have evolved alongside the insects that feed off them, so provide far more benefit. More food, more life!
You can plant native wildflower species too! Order from wonderful local suppliers such as Naturescape.
We have planted a 1.5 acre wild flower meadow - see the pictures for our results so far!
Miyawaki Method
"The best time to plant a tree is 30 years ago. The second best time is now." African proverb.
While very wise - the originators of this phrase probably never encountered the Miyawaki Method!
By densely planting - up to 30cm apart - native plant tree and shrub species, the Miyawaki Method allows areas to regenerate healthy, biodiverse woodland in a fraction of the time. Not all the plants survive, but those that do can grow at an astonishing rate!
Our Miyawaki plot is guarded from the terrifying animals that roam The Field (bunnies and deer) by our dead hedge. This is a sustainable hedging method that doubles up as an insect habitat.
Wet Wet Wet!!!
The best thing anyone can do to help life flourish is to dig a pond!
As you can see, we have been busy planting all sorts of flora to help the pond thrive.
We had to get planning permission simply to dig this hole, but it has filled with rainwater and already become home to great crested newts, grass snakes, damsel flies, mayflies and a pair of ducks who regularly visit!
What lies beyond the deep... We offer pond dipping sessions, for those brave enough to see what lies in the depths of the water!
What can you do?
The more wild spaces we have, the better.
Any garden can be wild, with the right mindset! Maybe you can dig or pond? Or failing that, fill a plastic tub full of water - give it some pond plants if possible - and watch how quickly life takes hold!!
Our hedgehog population has fallen drastically in recent years. They can travel up to 1 mile per night, so why not help them out by building hedgehog highways so they can pass through your garden.
If you would like to help us in our wilding aims, then contact us to arrange a visit, a visit for your school/social group, or drop in as a volunteer!