The nature and climate crisis are having a devastating impact on both people and wildlife. We need to work with nature to overcome these challenges. Kent Wildlife Trust is working with our European partners on the H2O:Source2Sea Project, which is implementing a range of nature-based solutions to combat flooding, drought and water quality issues in East Kent.
Nature-based solutions include a range of actions from wetland creation, tree planting to installing green roofs and regenerative agriculture. Wilding is an important part of this project and part of our vision for a wilder future, so we are planning to introduce water buffalo to our Ham Fen Nature Reserve where beavers are already present. Both species are ‘ecosystem engineers’ due to the dramatic effects they have on their habitats. Beavers build dams creating wetlands and, by grazing on tough scrubby plants and wallowing, buffalo maintain wetlands and keep invasive plant species down. This creates the perfect environment for a diversity and abundance of other wildlife whilst also making the surrounding area more resilient against extreme weather, providing cleaner water and locking up greater amounts of CO2.
