Volunteer Launch for Harborough Rewilding Project

A volunteer launch event has taken place for Harborough’s ambitious Rewilding Project.

Over 50 people attended to hear how they can support the restoration of 130 acres of land near Great Bowden, helping wildlife and the wider community.

The project is being led by Harborough District Council in partnership with Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, after the authority purchased land for nearly £2m earlier this year.

It will also see the creation of a new country park.

Volunteers gathered at HDC’s Symington Building to find out more about getting involved with the project

Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of the ruling coalition group at HDC, is delighted at the response from residents:

The area of the Rewilding Project

Today, leading environmental bodies, including Defra and Natural England, visited the site of the scheme, expected to be of national significance.

Cat Hartley, Director of Communities and Wellbeing, said: “Our Rewilding Harborough vision will need community support to help nature recovery. Although the principle of rewilding requires less direct management of the land, there will still be plenty of volunteer opportunities to become actively involved.

“We anticipate a phased approach to volunteer involvement which will be determined by how the land develops but opportunities will range from more traditional estate management tasks such as boundary maintenance and livestock management, habitat enhancement such as tree planting where required; and engagement through health and nature focused guided walks.

“There will also be a need to monitor the development of the project and we will need support to undertake a number of different ecological focused surveys along with general and fixed-point photography which we are planning to begin in early 2026.”

Over 100 people have registered their interest to be a volunteer so far.

As the project develops volunteer involvement will require sign up to a mailing list and group. More details of this will be shared with the community in due course.

Groups and people who are interested in getting involved in the Rewilding Harborough project can email: rewildingproject@harborough.gov.uk