Broughton Sanctuary
Serving a new way of life — reconnecting people with nature through rewilding
At a glance
Location
Broughton, Yorkshire
Area
440 hectares
Start date
2021
Scale
Medium
Habitats
Upland, Broadleaved woodland, Rivers and streams, Lakes and ponds, Grassland and meadow and Heathlands and shrub
Key species
Otter, Kestrel, Hare, Kingfisher and Owls
Rewilding actions
Extensive grazing, Habitat restoration, Tree Planting and Natural regeneration
Engaging people
Volunteering, Tourism and Wellness programme
The Broughton Sanctuary has a mission – to protect and enhance the diversity of wildlife and natural habitats on 1,100 acres (app one-third) of the estate and to reconnect visitors with the natural environment. In so doing it aims to demonstrate that humans can live in a more fruitful and positive partnership with the land in a way which helps nature to truly flourish.
The site supports a diversity of important habitats – from meadow pastures to ancient woodland, heather moorland and freshwater habitats. These habitats already support a range of species, including kestrels, hares and otters. The rewilding project aims to breathe new life into the landscape and provide high quality opportunities for wildlife and people.
The estate aims build upon its existing health and wellbeing programme by reconnecting visitors with the incredible power of nature through natural medicines, wild food foraging, forest bathing, and wild swimming within the rewilding area as well as the wider estate.
NATURE BASED ENTERPRISE
Several enterprises were already established on site prior to the commencement of rewilding, including weddings, business rentals, health and wellbeing activities, a restaurant, and large events including mountain bike competitions. These enterprises will be further enhanced by the proposed rewilding on the site. Additional proposed enterprises including holiday cottage rentals, a rehabilitation centre, and an alternative medicine centre.
Health and wellbeing are central to the ambitions of the project, and an eclectic mix of experiences with nature aim to inspire and reconnect visitors with nature.
KICK-STARTING REWILDING
A reduction in sheep grazing is underway to make way for significant tree planting, with 230,000 trees being planted as part of a first phase in 2021. This tree planting will sit alongside areas of former arable land and buffer strips which are being set aside to allow the natural regeneration of trees and scrub.
Woody debris dam installation and moorland gully blocking will be undertaken in 2021 in various parts of the site as part of the wider Environment Agency Natural Flood Management Programme for the Aire catchment and Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme.
Images - Alastair Driver and Broughton Estate
Gallery
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Future Plans
- 1 Further natural flood management works including the creation of scrapes and ponds
- 2 Assess the feasibility of a beaver reintroduction project to complement wetland creation and restoration works
- 3 Commence monitoring of water, soils, biology, health and wellbeing, socio-economic and education change with JBA Consulting, Leeds University and Lancaster University
- 4 Develop a herbivore grazing strategy for the project
