environment
How England’s largest forest went from commodity to conservation haven
Kielder in Northumberland is balancing commercial production with conserving peatland and rare plants and animals
TL;DR
- Kielder Forest, England's largest, has transitioned from a single-use timber plantation to a mixed-use venture balancing commercial production and conservation.
- Established 100 years ago for timber reserves, it now supports diverse wildlife like ospreys, goshawks, water voles, otters, and red squirrels.
- Conservation efforts include protecting rare peatland bogs, which are crucial carbon stores, and restoring them by reversing historical drainage.
- The forest is actively planting a more diverse range of trees to increase resilience against pests and diseases in the face of climate change.
- Future plans involve creating wildlife corridors by clearing forest borders around waterways and designating areas like 'wild Kielder' for conservation.