Grange Project

13/12/2024

🎙️New Wilder Podcast Episode: An Agriwilding Evolution with Matt Swarbrick 🎧

Matt Swarbrick, a farmer in North West Wales, shares with us the journey of Henbant permaculture. Using the principles of holistic decision making and , they’ve created a thriving ecosystem that enables them to produce delicious nutrient dense food and magical spaces for both people and nature. Enjoy Matt’s warmth and passion as he paints a picture of the beautiful world they are creating.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5LEUwbNTwBbXrINa5BKVrL?si=124102d7ed1e47cd

Listen here: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/wilder-podcast/ep-033-an-agriwilding-evolution-with-matt-swarbrick

Matt Swarbrick, a farmer in North West Wales, shares with us the journey of Henbant. Using the principles of holistic decision making and agriwilding, they’ve created a thriving ecosystem that enables them to produce delicious nutrient dense food and magical spaces for both people and nature.

12/12/2024

There is no silver bullet to solve the meta-crisis we face.

A snippet of last week's episode of the 'Wilder' podcast, where Tom and Chloe interview the visionary Jyoti of North Star Transition. Join us as we discuss the possibilities of complex, uncertain and transformative ways forward.

Full episode: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/wilder-podcast/ep-032-how-to-build-a-regenerative-nation-with-north-star-transition

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BTBqiUG8IX6OUrGOMN2w2?uid=02a085239b3adf2ec99c&uri=spotify:episode:7Aqlt5Z95Rtrksm71ucItp

25/11/2024

🎧New Podcast Ep: 032: How to Build a Regenerative Nation with North Star Transition:

How do you make a nation regenerative? What does it take to transform the Wye and Usk catchments? Jyothi Banerjee and North Star Transition are asking some of the most complex questions of our time, with three clear objectives: to propose a plan which is transformative, locally owned and investable. This is a fascinating conversation about systems change from an incredibly articulate communicator.

Listen here: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/wilder-podcast/ep-032-how-to-build-a-regenerative-nation-with-north-star-transition

20/11/2024

"There are so many different skill sets that can help make change in this world." 🌍

A snippet of last week's episode where Tom and Chloe interview the adventurous James Shooter of the Rewild Podcast as they explore his family's European rewilding road trip. (You could do it too!).

Full Episode: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/wilder-podcast/ep-031-a-european-adventure-with-james-shooter

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7kYF8BSrukh0z2C661L2Xb?si=sA5vKuPrSLSlD9ng9Ozn

18/11/2024

BEFORE and AFTER:

The top image was taken just over 12 months ago, when we had just started transforming this area. We began by removing the old clay drainage pipes, creating a small scrape, and even experimenting with a smaller digger to mimic wild boar activity (yes, there were a few 'donuts' involved!).

Fast forward to today, and the bottom image shows the incredible progress we've made — with nature leading the way. The scrape has become a valuable source of water (and a bath!) for an increasing variety of wildlife, including our resident barn owls (see the second image).

As for the 'donuts', they had their impact, but they can’t compete with the work of our new British Saddleback pigs — our very own 'Ecosystem Engineers'! 🤗

We couldn’t be happier with the results, and we’re sure nature agrees. 🌿

05/11/2024

👀 Seeing is believing! From fields to thriving wilderness, Grange project in 2040?

We’re constantly exploring how to share the power of rewilding with those beyond the conservation community – those who might not yet see how wild spaces are essential for us all. That’s why we’re excited to share this 3D animation, created by the talented Karen Gazzard from The Ruby Cube Ltd. Karen’s work takes us from where our 80-acre site was last year – open fields – to what it could look like 10 to 20 years down the line, with nature allowed to thrive.

This animation is more than just a visual; it’s a story, a way to show what rewilding can mean for us all and to help spark connections with people outside the ‘green bubble’. Our question is simple but important: how do we communicate what we’re doing and why it matters?

Thank you, Karen, for helping us tell our story. We hope this inspires you all to think about the spaces we share, the wilds that still have a place in our future, and the way each of us can support that journey. 🌍✨

Rewilding Britain

25/10/2024

"We need to see nature in recovery if we're going to survive... We won't do that unless we can do it over a far greater scale than we currently are."

A snippet of last week's episode where Tom and Chloe interview the inspiring Matt Walpole of Cornwall Wildlife Trust who shares his thoughts on how we truly can affect landscape scale change.

Full Episode: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/wilder-podcast/ep-030-tor-to-shore-landscape-level-recovery

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2bCPlLCgqWx1HojMnIKvb2?si=EpRTVmsWRnO_a4QOrOPufg

15/10/2024

🎙️New Episode: Tor to Shore - Landscape Scale Recovery 🎧

There is a vision in , one of large scale nature recovery from land to sea. In this episode we hear the story and the vision of ‘Tor to Shore’, eloquently described by Matt Walpole, CEO of Cornwall Wildlife Trust. We discuss unexpected challenges (looking at you beavers), the importance of joined up landscapes and the power of community engagement.

Listen here:

There is a vision in Cornwall, one of large scale nature recovery from land to sea. In this episode we hear the story and the vision of ‘Tor to Shore’, eloquently described by Matt Walpole, CEO of Cornwall Wildlife Trust. We discuss unexpected challenges (looking at you beavers), the importance ...

10/10/2024

"If we can't look after nature, and we can't look after our home, our planet, then how do we look after each other, ourselves and our community?"

A snippet of last week's episode where Tom and Chloe discuss key developments, rewilding efforts, financial strategies, and their vision for nature education after a year on the Grange Project!

Full episode: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/wilder-podcast/ep-029-failure-and-success-12-months-of-rewilding-at-the-grange-project

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3m6Q3lHJh3yVAH52P3wVlI?si=SisgZv1mSUSux8L2TmePhw

07/10/2024

Free on 19th of October?

It's that time again. Community day #3 is upon us. Come and join us, absolutely no experience required, a warm and welcoming rewilding community awaits! 🤗.

Main focus: Complete planting of the Tiny Forest using the Miyawaki method to create a densely planted, biodiverse forest with native species. (Project supported by a Welsh Government grant, serving as an outdoor classroom for education activities).

Over 400 trees to plant within an area the size of a tennis court, fostering a strong community atmosphere.

Alternative activities include:

- Winter Shelter Construction: Build shelters for insects, reptiles, and rodents using clay land drains.

- Tree Maintenance: Check trees planted in March, remove weeds and grasses, and add mulch if needed.

- Fence Removal: A more physical task, important for enhancing the sense of ‘wildness’ on site.

Sign up here:

Community day: Saturday 19th October Name * First Name Last Name Email * Phone * Country ( # # #) # # # # # # # Do you consent to being added to the Volunteers WhatsApp Group? * Yes No Thank you! Thank you so much for expressing an interest in our second community event on Saturday 19th of October, 2024. We...

30/09/2024

🎙️New Episode: Ep. 029: Failure and Success: 12 Months of Rewilding at the Grange Project 🎧

In this episode, we (Tom and Chloe) provide an update on the Grange Project after its first year. We discuss key developments, including rewilding efforts, financial strategies, and our ever evolving vision for nature education.

Highlights include the role of our awesome volunteers, our successful Tiny Forest grant, and exciting plans for the Wilder Lodge, corporate partnerships, a micro-distillery, and Tiny Homes. The episode concludes with a focus on our thoughts on the need to promote nature literacy and connectivity.

Ep: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/wilder-podcast/ep-029-failure-and-success-12-months-of-rewilding-at-the-grange-project

10/09/2024

We're growing our own (tiny) Forest! 😎:

We’re delighted to say that we’ve been awarded a from the Llywodraeth Cymru (Welsh Government) and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for a Tiny Forest/Coetiroedd Bach 🌳.

"...yeah but, what is a Tiny Forest"?! we hear you ask? 🤔

It’s a small area of native forest planted using a Japanese planting method called Miyawaki, which will form an outdoor classroom for guests visiting the project 🏫 and a fantastic biodiversity refuge in the centre of our school’s field 🐝🦋.

What’s unique about the Miyawaki method is:

🌱 Soil preparation to give the trees the best chance of surviving
🌳 Diversity of species planting at all layers, including shrub, under-story, sub-canopy, and canopy
🌲 Dense planting to encourage quick growth

There is also a strong focus on community engagement and citizen science and, with the support of the Earthwatch, we’ll be measuring:

📏 Carbon capture and tree growth
🦉 Impacts on biodiversity
💬 Social benefits

So how can you get involved?

Look out for details of our planting day next month, where we’ll be working with local school children to help the Grange Project become part of the National Forest for Wales!

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09/09/2024

Using drones to tell stories is a key tool for engagement and outreach within rewilding. A snippet from last week's episode, speaking to Simon Roper from Ambios Ltd where we explore the complex relationship between technology, people and rewilding.

Full episode: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/wilder-podcast/ep-028-people-and-technology-in-rewilding-with-simon-roper

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/749CHcvZjG5WVJwssXcsEQ?si=lurOHQUJSX-r8ccdlxwBzQ&t=1236

05/09/2024

🎙️New Wilder Podcast Episode (28): Ep. 028: People and Technology in Rewilding:

https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/wilder-podcast/ep-028-people-and-technology-in-rewilding-with-simon-roper

In this interview with Simon Roper from Ambios Ltd, we debate the problems and possibilities of technology in , covering everything from the latest innovations to whether technology ever could, or should, replace boots in the ground.

Whether you’re a self described technology geek or living a low tech lifestyle, the debates in this episode offer something for everyone.

In this interview with Simon Roper, we debate the problems and possibilities of technology in rewilding, covering everything from the latest innovations to whether technology ever could, or should, replace boots in the ground. Whether you’re a self described technology geek or living a low tech li...

19/08/2024

How do we reduce the impact of the carbon footprint generated during the production of our food? 🤷

In this week's episode Duncan Fisher explores the novel concept of decentralised, "affordable farms" to help combat climate change and reduce the risk posed by food insecurity in the UK. Our Food 1200 / Ein Bwyd 1200

Full Episode: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/wilder-podcast/ep-027-future-farms-with-our-food-1200

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2bCPlLCgqWx1HojMnIKvb2?si=7yeX5Z5lR0a0NkR85d4i2w

17/08/2024

Sadly, another one of our oaks has split on the project. On this plus side it is now aiding our "defielding" efforts. 😎👍🏼.