We did it again!
On the 8th of December 2021, the Vegan Land Movement CIC entered a second land auction with the funds donated throughout November and WON 6.8 acres of dairy grazing land in Somerset.
This land has now been given back to the earth and endangered species in perpetuity.
Thank you to all who donated. You have done something really amazing in helping take nearly 7 acres of land from animal agriculture and returning it to endangered wildlife.
This plot is ideal for rewilding. Each small parcel of land such as this is a perfect way to showcase the
possibilities of reclaiming land that has been laid waste by animal agriculture. Our aim is to harness the enormous potential of collective vegan land buyouts and in the future, linking many of these reclaimed parcels of land together via wildlife corridors.
Along with ecological experts local to the area, we will sensitively help this land regenerate and create a natural wet woodland habitat. This will be a research site, showing what can be achieved. We aim to document and record species returning to this parcel of land and share information with other similar initiatives, to inspire more compassionate rewilding practices.
Native Tree Planting
In February 2022, we met with several local ecological experts to survey the plot and plant native tree species. We planted 200 mixed willow saplings as well as several alder and hazel, generously donated by volunteers. We were advised to do perimeter planting here because it is a sensitive area that had already started to rewild. Due to its year-long rewilding status this area was also identified as a water vole habitat. Water voles are listed as endangered on both the Great Britain and the England Red List for mammals.
Species Count 2022
In 2022 a group of volunteers gathered to record the first Species Counts on this second plot and it was incredible how much life had begun to return and make this area of land their home.
Species Count 2023
The 2023 Species Counts saw such rapid growth that we couldn’t access this area of land other than the area near the entrance. We recorded an incredible amount of species in such a small
area. We also laid down some reclaimed corrugated sheeting to encourage reptiles which we hope to record as being present in the 2024 Species counts this summer.