Rewilding projects only reduce meat production by half while delivering massive ecological benefits.
This episode features Matt Walpole, CEO of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, discussing the groundbreaking Tor to Shore project that aims to create landscape-scale nature recovery across Cornwall. Walpole, who transitioned from international conservation work to leading his home county's wildlife trust, explains how the organization has evolved beyond managing small nature reserves to working at watershed scale. The Tor to Shore project connects Helmand Tor, a rocky moorland outcrop, to St. Austell Bay through an entire river catchment, integrating terrestrial rewilding with marine conservation. The project uses grazing animals, particularly pigs, as ecosystem engineers to create diverse habitats and micro-environments. Walpole shares compelling data from Professor Alistair Driver's research showing that rewilding projects only reduce meat production by half while doubling rural employment, challenging common criticisms of rewilding. The conversation explores the practical challenges of implementing rewilding principles, including the controversial nature of the term itself and the need for extensive community consultation. Cornwall Wildlife Trust had to defend their use of 'rewilding' to 200 members at a public meeting, highlighting the importance of clear communication about conservation goals. The marine component focuses on protecting ancient seagrass beds and maerl formations that are thousands of years old and serve as crucial carbon sinks and nursery habitats. Walpole emphasizes that marine conservation primarily involves removing pressures rather than active intervention, allowing natural systems to recover. The project works with farmers through nature-friendly farming practices, focusing on opportunities rather than restrictions, helping reduce chemical inputs and soil runoff while maintaining profitability. Community engagement is central to the project's success, with extensive consultation and partnership-building across all stakeholder groups. The conversation touches on the importance of robust scientific monitoring to demonstrate the project's effectiveness and inspire similar initiatives elsewhere. Walpole discusses how pigs create hundreds of micro-habitats through their rooting behavior, exposing soil for seed germination, creating temporary pools for amphibians, and providing ideal conditions for ground-nesting birds. The project represents a new model for conservation that integrates land and sea, working with rather than against human activities, and demonstrates how nature recovery can benefit both wildlife and rural communities economically.
