Tesco are supporting Forestry England’s work to transform the landscape at Castle Neroche in Somerset, where we're harnessing natural processes to restore a thriving ecosystem and increase the diversity and abundance of wildlife.
The first year of our partnership with Tesco involves gathering data to build a detailed picture of the landscape and its potential. With Tesco’s support, we will:
- gather high quality data on the range and abundance of species across the Neroche landscape though eDNA on soil and water, ecology surveys and bio-acoustic data capture.
- engage with local communities and stakeholders.
- trial fence-free cattle grazing to help improve the condition of the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Looking to the future
As the data, learnings, and observations from year one inform the next stage of the Wild Neroche project, we hope to continue our partnership and expand its impact into the wider Blackdown Hills and Somerset landscapes.
This will be achieved by collaborating with neighbouring landowners, including Tesco’s farmers and suppliers. In time, it is hoped the partnership will provide valuable insight into how large-scale nature restoration can aid sustainable food production.
The Wild Neroche project
Wild Neroche is part of our wild areas programme, which involves four sites across the country. Neroche lies at the northern edge of the Blackdown Hills National Landscape in Somerset and is made up of deciduous woodland, restored pasture, wet heathland, and even-aged conifer plantations with regenerating broadleaf.
Our ambition is to deliver landscape-scale ecological enhancement in collaboration with our partners and neighbours. The reinstatement, acceleration, or replication of natural processes will produce a landscape defined by water that can evolve with our changing climate and is a haven for both wildlife and plantlife.
