Cornwall Wildlife Trust launches what it says is one of the UK’s ‘most ambitious’ rewilding projects.

Tor to Shore aims to create a thriving landscape rich in biodiversity, from Helman Tor in central Cornwall, all the way through to Cornwall’s south coast.

The project will be building on the work already carried out by Cornwall Wildlife Trust over the past 18 months.

At over 730 acres, Helman Tor, a focal area for the project, is the Trust’s largest nature reserve, which over the last year has been under-going a rewilding movement with the Trust at the helm.

While Cornwall is arguably recognised for its picturesque coastlines and inviting waters, the county’s natural environment and wildlife is struggling.

The Trust’s most recent ‘State of Nature’ report for Cornwall revealed that almost a quarter of mammals and butterfly species are at risk of extinction.

Matt Walpole, chief executive of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, comments on the project:

“Nature in Cornwall needs more than Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s efforts alone if we’re to reverse its current decline. It needs more people, from all spheres, to take action. By working collaboratively across the project area, Tor to Shore will mobilise and support communities, businesses, farmers, fishers, statutory bodies and others to get behind nature, benefiting wildlife, our economy, and our wellbeing.”

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded the Cornwall Wildlife Trust a £265,000 development grant for the project, which could lead to a further £3M in funding for Cornish nature, pending results.

The rewilding project will also extend to protecting and restoring marine habitats in St Austell Bay, including maerl beds that have potentially existed for more than 4,000 years.