Learn more about the wildlife and wild places in Kent and beyond.
Koniks (sometimes referred to as Konik Polski) are a non-native primitive breed that originate from Poland. They are a descendant of the tarpan, a type of European wild horse that went extinct in the 19th century. They have been bred for almost 80 years to be the ideal breed for use in conservation grazing, specifically for traits of hardiness, longevity and ease of handling, and are used successfully across Europe in conservation grazing schemes.
Wilder Grazing Ranger Volunteer Trainee, Ellie Edmondson, explores why grazing animals shed and gain weight throughout the year as part of a natural cycle.
Wilder Grazing Ranger Volunteer Trainee, Ellie Edmondson, talks about the fell ponies on our reserves and what makes them great conservation grazers.
One of the main methods that seeds use to disperse themselves is through animals. Read more about the importance of this & how it happens.
In Kent, our grazing animals roam the reserves using their instincts and experience to guide them towards delicious nutritious vegetation and away from potentially toxic plants. This deep-rooted wisdom is a product of evolution and survival instincts passed down from generation to generation but particularly prevalent in the old-fashioned breeds that we use.
How do you restore a chalk downland? Our appeal to purchase an extension to our existing Polhill Bank nature reserve offers us a unique opportunity to restore an additional 26 acres of arable land into a rare and biodiverse habitat in Sevenoaks, Kent. But how do we achieve this goal? Here are our plans.
Our work at Polhill Bank has been ongoing for several years now. Over time, we have purchased more neighbouring patches of land there, adding up to around 16 hectares now under our nature-positive management. In many ways, our wilding journey in the area goes back more than a decade; in others, it’s only just begun.
As the cold snap of winter rolls in across the country, our grazing animals showcase a diverse array of adaptations, evolved over time to contend with plummeting temperatures and the reduction in leafy vegetation cover across Kent’s nature reserves.
