Wildlife Trusts reach £30m goal for Northumberland estate restoration

The Wildlife Trusts have raised £30m to buy the Rothbury estate in Northumberland, clearing a funding hurdle for a major nature recovery project. About 25,000 public donors contributed £17m. The National Lottery Heritage Fund provided £5m, while the government pledged £1.94m. Foundations and philanthropists also supported the campaign, launched two years ago.

The estate covers more than 3,800 hectares, with moorland, woodland, hills and farmland. The trust plans to restore and expand habitats to support wildlife, including red squirrels and mountain bumblebees. Some farmers have challenged the scheme, and a local Conservative councillor raised concerns about agricultural profitability. Northumberland Wildlife Trust chief executive Mike Pratt said the organisation was working closely with farmers.

The trust envisages Rothbury as a central link in a 40-mile nature corridor between Druridge Bay and reserves near the Scottish border. It also believes wildlife tourism could benefit the town. These remain ambitions: the report establishes the fundraising milestone, not completed habitat recovery or demonstrated economic gains.