How the National Trust is healing climate harm at Wallington
With its rolling hills, peatlands, woodlands, farmland and riverside walks the Wallington Estate in Northumberland is a haven for nature and people. But climate change, extreme weather and historic farming have taken their toll on this diverse and varied landscape. Wildlife and trees have been badly affected but thanks to over £800,000 of funding from the Government's Green Recovery Challenge Fund, the National Trust is working to restore the damage.
In November 2021, Wallington’s tree population was devastated by Storm Arwen. Winds of up to 98mph tore through the region and destroyed 40 hectares of trees on the estate. Among the losses were a 250-year-old oak, beech trees and six larch trees given to the property in 1738.
The estate, now cared for by the National Trust, has also been affected by intensive land management and an increased demand for forestry and food production. This has led to a loss of biodiversity, reduced water quality and the degradation of peat soils – impacts magnified by the climate crisis.
But it’s not too late to make a difference. The conservation charity is working with the Northumberland Forest project, run by the county council, to replace lost trees and save veteran trees for future generations. To date 75,000 trees have been planted, creating 12 hectares of new deciduous woodland and more than 10km of hedgerow.
The funding from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund also means Wallington will benefit from major work to restore riverside habitats and create wildlife corridors that will support birds, butterflies and red squirrels.
Watch this video to find out more about how the National Trust and its partners are going to protect this precious landscape and the wildlife that depends on it.
For more on how the National Trust is tackling climate change at the places in its care visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tack...
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