David Attenborough-backed £30m crowdfunding campaign turns historic English estate into wildlife sanctuary

London, on October 30 — A prominent UK conservation charity revealed it had successfully raised £30 million (RM163 million) through crowdfunding to acquire an expansive area of moorlands and forests, transforming it into a sanctuary for various species. Following an intensive two-year campaign, the Wildlife Trusts has officially purchased the entire 3,800-hectares of the Rothbury Estate in northern Northumberland, marking the UK's largest land acquisition in three decades.

Renowned naturalist David Attenborough expressed his support for the initiative, stating that the project would create something truly special for future generations. The trusts' director general, Craig Bennett, expressed gratitude to the thousands of donors who contributed to the campaign. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with local communities, farmers, and other land managers to ensure the continued thriving of the landscape.

Approximately £17 million of the total cost was funded by the generous donations of 25,000 individuals. The estate was previously owned by the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland, who had held onto it for nearly eight centuries before selling it in 2022. The current duke's son, Max Percy, found it challenging to manage the property from his residence in southern England, leading to the estate being put up for sale.

After a two-year fundraising effort, the Wildlife Trusts managed to secure the necessary funds, and the organization was granted two years to raise the required capital. The National Lottery Heritage Fund contributed £5 million, while the Department of Environment pledged £1.94 million. The Wildlife Trusts aims to connect the newly acquired land with several existing nature reserves and restoration projects, ultimately forming a 65-kilometre-long biodiversity corridor from the estate's border near the North Sea.

This corridor would provide a crucial sanctuary for various wildlife species, including cuckoos, butterflies, pine martens, golden eagles, and red squirrels. Additionally, the trust seeks to encourage the dozen local farmers, primarily engaged in sheep farming, to adopt more environmentally friendly practices, such as reducing the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Despite the UK's objective to conserve and manage 30 percent of its land and seas for nature by 2030, the Wildlife Trusts believes that the acquisition of the Rothbury Estate could significantly contribute to achieving this goal.