Wilder Kent Blog

Within the landscape around Lamberhurst, Furnace Farm and Scotney Castle stand out as two areas where Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) is making a real difference. Furnace Farm is a former intensively managed farm, now moving toward a haven for wildlife and the grounds of Scotney Castle are managed by KWT using some of our cattle. This joined up landscape approach is hugely important for wildlife, offering corridors and refuges in a landscape that isn’t always favourable. Now there is an incredible opportunity to expand this landscape even further.

Conservationists say they welcome the government’s announcement around tougher penalties for fly-tipping, but a co-ordinated approach is needed to tackle the root of the problem.

Are you a citizen scientist without realising it?

Our Hoathly Farm Appeal, which aims to purchase Grade III arable land and transform it into a wildlife haven, has sparked lively debate. Some fear that wilding will harm food security, but in truth, it can enhance and support farming.

My journey as a Kent Wildlife Trust apprentice by Harry Jenkins

Imagine a quiet, picturesque woodland in Kent, ancient trees standing tall, carpets of bluebells swaying in the breeze, and wildlife thriving in their natural habitat. Now, picture that same woodland buried beneath 35,000 tonnes of waste, dumped illegally over months while authorities played a game of bureaucratic hot potato. This is not a dystopian fiction; this is the story of Hoad’s Wood.

Director of Development, Kent Wildlife Trust Sarah Brownlie, delves into the latest government announcement around growth and our environment and explains how the decision to proceed with the Lower Thames Crossing brings to light a critical flaw in national infrastructure planning.

The Unseen Price of the Lower Thames Crossing The Lower Thames Crossing has been promoted as a solution to congestion and a boost to the economy, but at what cost? While infrastructure projects like this promise short-term benefits, they often come at the expense of long-term environmental sustainability. The impact on biodiversity, air quality, and carbon emissions cannot be ignored. As we face a climate and ecological crisis, it is crucial that development aligns with our commitments to protecting nature, reducing emissions, and safeguarding public health. If we fail to consider these factors now, we risk paying a far greater price in the future.