Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has successfully completed its ambitious Restoration Project
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has successfully completed its ambitious ‘Restoration of lost habitats for a Wild Peak’ project, delivering wide-ranging benefits for nature, climate and communities across the Peak District, two years after securing £1.69 million from the Government’s Species Survival Fund.
The pioneering initiative, which ran from March 2024 to February 2026, set out to halt and reverse the decline of native species by restoring habitats at scale and reconnecting fragmented landscapes. Over the course of the project, the Trust worked with private landowners, from small sites to large estates and businesses, who are members of its Wild Peak Network, helping to deliver their own vision for nature recovery on their land.
Key habitats have been restored marking an important step in restoring lost species to the landscape. More than 10,000 trees were planted to increase woodland cover and connectivity, strengthening long-term prospects for species such as pine marten, and 70 hectares of species-rich meadow have been created or restored, providing vital habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, while strengthening the ecological resilience of the landscape.
Empowering communities to take action for nature in their own neighbourhoods has been central to the Wild Peak programme. Through its dedicated community grants scheme, co-funded by the Species Survival Fund and Severn Trent’s Great Big Nature Boost, the Trust has funded 26 locally led projects from schools, community groups and landowners, including pond and wetland creation, species reintroduction, improved access to wild spaces, and the installation of bat, bird and hedgehog homes.
More than 800 people took part in 60 events and activities, with a further 500 people volunteering their time. Volunteer leaders were trained to continue leading groups beyond the life of the project, helping to ensure a lasting legacy for nature recovery across the Peak District.
The project has also strengthened the region’s emerging nature-based economy. A pilot investment-ready green finance case was developed for a major Peak District landowner, demonstrating how land managers can be supported to secure funding for providing vital ecosystem services. Three traineeships were also created, supporting the growth of the Trust’s Nature Economy team and equipping individuals with green skills to take forward in the sector.
In partnership with the University of Derby, the Business4Nature project was launched to explore the barriers and opportunities for Derbyshire businesses engaging with nature-based solutions to improve the biodiversity of their sites. The collaboration assessed key themes influencing business participation and produced a series of filmed case studies and a practical toolkit to showcase best practice and inspire wider action.
Speaking about the completion of the project, Dave Savage, Head of Landscape Recovery at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said:
“This project has shown what’s possible when investment is matched with ambition and collaboration. Thanks to the Species Survival Fund, we have begun to reverse habitat loss at landscape scale and support species recovery across the Peak District.
“Wild Peak has empowered communities to take action for nature and laid strong foundations for a wilder, more resilient landscape, but this is just the start. The programme grew from the ideas of our 75 network members, working across more than 6,000 acres of their land, and we now want to build on that momentum.
“By expanding our network of landowners, businesses and communities, we can help more species recover to sustainable numbers and explore the return of lost species like black grouse and osprey. Together, we can shape the next phase of nature’s recovery in the Peak District.”
This project is funded by the Government's Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.
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