Words by Smiley Team
A rewilding project in Scotland is sharing its story of hope, to try and further fundraise to support the local environment.
In the middle of the pandemic, 10,500 acres of land came up for sale on the edge of Langholm town, in Dumfries and Galloway. The community decided to come together, and embark on an "impossible dream".
The Langholm Initiative started a campaign to try and raise enough funds for the community to buy the land, to create a vast nature reserve – they wanted to play a part in the climate emergency response, by restoring nature, and regenerating their town more sustainably.
In just six months, they managed to raise £3.8 million to buy 5,200 acres of woodlands, moorlands, meadows, rivers and peatlands. In fact, they made history, by successfully bringing the land into community ownership. Now they’re busy creating the Tarras Valley nature reserve – one of the largest, community-led ecological restoration projects in Southern Scotland.
“We’re living proof that communities can make a difference in the face of this climate crisis," they said.
(Read more about the farmers who have received funds to rewild England)
Now they’re back to finish what they started, and want to double the size of their reserve. The Langholm community are trying to fundraise £2.2 million in five months to allow them to bring in the remaining 5,300 acres of land into community ownership.
They explained: “Our vision is for this land to be restored and regenerated into a biodiverse haven, a mosaic of rich habitats that are teeming with wildlife.
“We want to create nature-based jobs, build eco-tourism and help regenerate our town. Being able to double the size of our reserve means doubling the impact we can have for nature, community, and climate.”
(Read more about the rewilding activists who gained an audience with the Crown Estate)
It’s a race against time to secure the additional 5,300 acres. The land will be kept off the open market for a very limited time, and the community needs to raise the funds by May 2022.
Raising these funds means that the community will be able to restore this land into a wildlife rich haven, a vast legacy for future generations.
The Langholm Initiative also works on additional employability, enterprise, anti-poverty and environmental protection and education projects.
DONATE: Donate to the Langholm Moor Second-Stage Community Buyout crowdfunder and you could receive a reward in exchange for your donation, whilst helping local people find ways for their ecosystems to thrive and flourish.
JOIN: Join as a member of the Langholm Initiative and see what you can do to give back.
VOLUNTEER: For more rewilding projects, see how you can get involved with the charity Rewilding Britain.
