What does it mean to let the land breathe again? That’s the question at the heart of Wilding, a documentary exploring how the Knepp Estate in West Sussex abandoned traditional farming practices and, in doing so, sparked controversy alongside an extraordinary return of wildlife.
The film is both informative and challenging. Instead of carefully cultivated farmland, we see scrubland, ragwort covered meadows, tangled hedgerows, and messy yet buzzing landscapes alive with purple emperor butterflies, nightingales, and even storks (the first born in Britain for 600 years). Based on the hugely popular book by Isabella Tree, the film asks us to reconsider what “countryside” should look like if we give nature more space.
Muir to Forth’s Inspiration
For the founders of our Muir to Forth project, this story resonates deeply. The Knepp Estate Foundation has sought to grow its local influence by partnering with landowners to create a 100 mile long nature corridor linking ‘Weald to Waves’. Our project has been in regular contact to borrow learnings from Weald to Waves in order to transplant their ‘Source to Sea’ concept to connect the Lammermuir Hills to the shores of the Forth through a network of wildlife corridors. Through working closely with farmers and communities we are looking to encourage regenerative practices, restore hedgerows, revitalise riverbanks and stitch fragmented habitats back together so species can move, thrive, mate and adapt.
It’s an ambitious vision but our commitment to collaborate closely with farmers and landowners over a 15 year timeframe is highly pragmatic. Unlike the Sussex Weald, the lowland plain of East Lothian is highly productive farmland recognised nationally for its significant contribution to arable crop production. Our opportunities for nature to thrive will continue to lie on the fringes – hedgerows, shelterbelts, poorer soils, steep ground or regularly flooded areas. We just need to connect up the dots. Fortunately our river valleys like the Tyne can take the role of semi-natural wildlife corridors across our landscape connecting existing features that are rich in biodiversity.
Muir to Forth’s project lead, John Maslen, has recently visited the Knepp Estate to meet staff on-the-ground and learn first-hand how they are engaging with local land managers to encourage nature friendly practices. “It is fascinating to see how nature diversification at the scale of an estate has created local employment alongside a unique landscape that demonstrates ecological best practice from across Europe.”
Join The Conversation
On 18th September, East Lothian has the chance to join this conversation. After the screening of Wilding in North Berwick, John will join a panel with other experts to reflect on how we might apply some of its lessons to our own landscape. From hedgerow restoration to river corridors, from farming to community engagement, the themes couldn’t be more timely.
The climate and biodiversity crises can feel overwhelming, but films like this remind us that change is possible. Controversial yet hopeful, Wilding is as much about the transformation of attitudes as it is about transforming landscapes. And for Muir to Forth, it’s a reminder that small stepping stones can eventually lead to nature highways.
Event details
Screening: Thursday 18th September – doors 7pm, film 7.30pm
Location: North Berwick Community Centre, Main Hall, 8 Law Road, EH39 4PN
Screening in association with Sustaining North Berwick, followed by panel Q&A with John Maslen (Muir to Forth), Mike Thornton (Forth Rivers Trust), and Jo Gibb (East Lothian Climate Hub).
If you are too late to get tickets please get in touch with us as we may try to re-run the film if there’s interest..hello@balancedhorizon.org.