Sir David Attenborough backs bid to buy estate

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🌳 Sir David Attenborough Backs $\text{\textsterling}30$ Million Land Buy

Sir David Attenborough has launched a campaign by conservationists to raise $\text{\textsterling}30$ million to purchase a vast upland estate in Northumberland.

The Wildlife Trusts and the Northumberland Wildlife Trust are attempting to complete the purchase of the Rothbury Estate, a $\text{15-square-mile}$ ($\text{38.8-square-km}$) tract of former grouse moor, woodland, and farmland. Their plans include increasing wildlife, restoring bogs, and encouraging nature-friendly farming.

Sir David has urged the public to support the campaign, noting that they have a year remaining to raise the $\text{\textsterling}30$ million needed to buy the entire estate. If the goal isn't met, the estate risks being broken up and sold off. In a video, the naturalist and broadcaster stressed that "time was running out" to save the Rothbury Estate.

🏞️ Who Owns the Rothbury Estate?

The Rothbury Estate is currently owned by Lord Max Percy, the Duke of Northumberland's youngest son. The land has been in the family for about 700 years. The Northumberland Wildlife Trust and the Wildlife Trusts were originally given two years, until October 2024, to raise the $\text{\textsterling}30$ million required.

In his appeal, Sir David highlighted the landscape:

"People know and love the Simonside Hills that have risen here, they walk the ridges and listen for the curlew's calls, they watch for red squirrels and admire the views as they scramble among the crags.

They stroll along the country's remote paths and marvel at the amazing rock carvings left by our distant ancestors, who once lived here."

The Wildlife Trusts have stated they would work with local farmers and businesses in Rothbury to care for the area, breathe new life into its forests, and create a place for people and nature to flourish side by side. Sir David pleaded: "Please help us make this dream come true."

Around $\text{\textsterling}8$ million has already been raised, with individual donations ranging from $\text{\textsterling}5$ to $\text{\textsterling}5$ million. The challenge remains to secure the remaining two-thirds of the total via an online fundraising appeal.

🦉 A "Once-in-a-Lifetime" Opportunity

Mike Pratt, chief executive of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, described the purchase as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to do something meaningful for nature on a large scale by restoring and protecting wildlife, as well as increasing access to the countryside.

The estate is currently home to rare species such as the curlew, lapwings, red squirrels, cuckoo, and merlin, as well as Atlantic salmon and critically endangered eels. Conservationists, however, insist that nature here could be greatly improved.

Proposed rewilding plans include introducing large herbivores, such as ponies, hardy cattle, and eventually bison, to graze the land naturally. They also propose reintroducing pine martens, beavers, and golden eagles.

Craig Bennett, CEO of the Wildlife Trusts, said the Rothbury Estate was the largest piece of property to come on the market in England for more than 30 years, and it is larger than the city of York. "Which is why it's such a unique opportunity," he said.

"We know that the United Kingdom is one of the world's most nature-depleted countries, and I’ve seen enough in my lifetime of studying lots of graphs that point to nature's decline. We want to push the envelope and get nature back to scale."

The Trusts believe that local people will benefit from greater access to the estate and will have the opportunity to help design new paths, establish a visitor centre, and create new jobs.

Mr. Pratt described the Rothbury Estate as a "great canvas" for nature recovery in England, representing the only chance of this scale in the country.

"It's got a stunning and picturesque landscape, but a lot of the finer wildlife, like everywhere else, isn't there as it should be," he said. "It represents a wonderful canvas to restore nature in this stunning landscape."