East Nature Pledges Expand Across Britain
A grassroots initiative to rewild East Anglia, WildEast nature pledges, is now going national with the launch of the “Map of Dreams.” This platform connects communities, schools, farmers, and businesses. Together, they aim to restore wildlife and increase green spaces.
Founded five years ago by three environmentally conscious farmers, WildEast initially dedicated at least a fifth of their land to nature. Since then, thousands of people have joined the effort. They have pledged to rewild gardens, schoolyards, and other community spaces.
The national “Map of Dreams” allows anyone to make a pledge. Users can also share photos, success stories, and tips. In this way, it creates a digital network that supports biodiversity recovery.
Farmers Leading the Way
Hugh Crossley, co-founder of WildEast, has transformed a quarter of his 5,000-acre estate into wildlife habitat. He continues sustainable food production, including carbon-negative wheat and fava beans. His estate now hosts 904 moth species, 33 endangered bird species, and six threatened amphibian species.
“Nature thrives on the spaces we have deprived it of,” Crossley says. “Wild Kingdom is the next great leap – connecting thousands of small acts of care into a bigger movement.”
Other farmers, like Cameron Wheeler, are also supporting WildEast nature pledges. They are turning even small plots into wildlife-friendly areas and sustainable food zones..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSe8GMUxbpI
Schools and Communities Join In
Schools are key participants in the initiative. Hadleigh High School, for example, is creating a pond and wildlife area to protect local species affected by urban expansion. Pupils like Victor Hills, 11, have been inspired to plant habitats for frogs, badgers, and hedgehogs while contributing to the national network of pledges.
Local communities, including the village of Wenhaston, have expanded conservation efforts by planting new woods, restoring ponds, and creating tree nurseries at primary schools. Volunteers are now preparing to plant hundreds of metres of native hedgerows to link these wildlife corridors.
Connecting People and Landscapes
WildEast co-founder Olly Birkbeck emphasizes that the movement focuses on the “soft tissue” connecting nature – schoolyards, churchyards, farmyards, and private gardens. Restoring these smaller spaces helps wildlife flourish while connecting larger natural habitats.
“Wild Kingdom’s Map of Dreams is a platform to record these efforts and inspire others to join,” Birkbeck says. “It demonstrates how thousands of small, local actions can add up to meaningful national change.”
A Growing National Movement
From private estates to school playgrounds and local commons, WildEast nature pledges are demonstrating that rewilding can be scaled across Britain. By linking communities and sharing practical strategies, the movement is empowering people to take responsibility for wildlife recovery, creating greener, more connected landscapes for future generations.
