By Basant El-Faramawy
Conservationists have finalized the largest land acquisition in England in years, securing the 9,500-acre Rothbury Estate in Northumberland for £30 million. The Northumberland Wildlife Trust and The Wildlife Trusts announced the purchase, which aims to integrate nature-friendly farming and promote wildlife across the estate, an area comparable in size to Athens.
Attenborough's Campaign Drives Public Support
Sir David Attenborough backed the fundraising appeal, generating more than £1 million in donations within the first week. His endorsement helped attract contributions from over 25,000 people across 50 countries, raising a total of £17 million from the public. In a statement thanking donors, Attenborough said the successful appeal allows the vision of a landscape where nature and people thrive together to become reality.
Government and Lottery Funding
The project also received £1.9 million from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and £5 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said the project has the potential to deliver nature recovery at a grand scale while reconnecting people to the area's natural and cultural heritage.
Flagship for Nature Recovery
Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, called the purchase a defining moment for the region. He said the secured landscape could become a flagship for nature recovery supported by sustainable farming, delivering lasting benefits for wildlife, local communities, and the rural economy. Initial surveys of wildlife, landscapes, and history have already begun on parts of the estate.
