Our Wealden Wellbeing Our Wealden Climate Change

Wilder Ouse / Wilder Wealden

Image of a volunteer pulling Himalayan balsam weeds.

Wilder Wealden is a five‑year partnership between Wealden District Council and Sussex Wildlife Trust, delivering a district‑wide Nature Recovery Network.

It builds on Wilder Ouse, which the Council joined as a partner in 2024, contributing £22,500 and learning from a successful catchment‑scale approach to nature recovery. 

 

Background

Wealden is home to nationally important landscapes, from ancient woodland and farmland to river systems, but these natural assets face growing pressures from biodiversity decline and climate change. The Wilder Ouse and Wilder Wealden projects were developed in response to the need for a step-change in the scale and coordination of nature recovery.

Wilder Ouse demonstrated how working at a catchment scale could reconnect habitats, improve ecological function and deliver nature-based solutions to flooding and drought. Working closely with landowners, communities and partners, it established a practical and replicable model for landscape-scale recovery. Strong public support for action on nature and climate, identified through consultation on our Climate Change Strategy, provided further impetus.

Wilder Wealden was subsequently launched to build on the Ouse experience, extending the approach across the whole district and embedding nature recovery into our long-term environmental leadership. Together, the projects provide a co-ordinated approach to restoring nature, responding to climate pressures and supporting national ambitions to protect and restore at least 30% of land for nature by 2030.

Image of a section of the Ouse with Wilder Ouse logo.

 

Image of Harriet and Wilder Ouse volunteer smiling at the camera.

Scenic aerial image of section of the Ouse River.

 

Objectives and outcomes

Wilder Wealden aims to reverse biodiversity decline, restore ecosystems and create a connected Nature Recovery Network. Building on Wilder Ouse, it takes a landscape-scale approach to improve habitat connectivity, support species recovery and provide nature-based solutions to flooding and drought.

The programme will benefit wildlife, landowners and communities, while embedding nature recovery into decision-making, strengthening long-term environmental resilience and contributing to national ambitions for nature restoration.

 

Project delivery & key stages

Evolving from the Sussex Flow Initiative, Wilder Ouse demonstrated how partnership working, catchment-scale planning and landowner engagement could deliver measurable environmental outcomes. Key deliveries included habitat creation and restoration, natural flood management measures, such as leaky dams, and collaboration with landowners to implement nature-based solutions.

Our involvement in Wilder Ouse provided valuable insight into delivering nature recovery at scale, directly informing the development of Wilder Wealden. Building on this tested model, Wilder Wealden has been established as a five-year strategic programme, supported by £1.19 million of council investment, alongside in-kind support from Sussex Wildlife Trust.

The programme retains the partnership approach but significantly expands its geographical reach. Using a data-led, landscape-scale approach, delivery will take place across the whole district. A key stage in this evolution is embedding nature recovery into council policy, planning and community engagement, creating a co-ordinated framework for long-term environmental action rather than a standalone catchment project.

Image of Harriet making a leaky dam at one of the Wilder Ouse sites.

 

Image of the Ouse River with wildflowers growing on the river banks.

Scenic aerial image of section of the Ouse River.

 

Image of Harriet and a Wilder Ouse volunteer removing Himalayan Balsam at one of the sites.

 

Impact and results

Wilder Ouse has already demonstrated measurable environmental impact, with more than 4,500 trees planted, 700 metres of hedgerow created and 23 ponds restored or created. Alongside direct habitat improvements, engagement with landowners has supported wider nature recovery interventions, contributing to carbon capture, improved water management and greater resilience to flooding and drought.

Wilder Wealden builds on this approach – it will create a connected network of habitats, strengthen ecosystem resilience and support wildlife recovery, while providing opportunities for communities to contribute. This approach is intended to embed nature recovery into everyday decision-making and encourage longer-term behavioural change. Over time, the programme will help restore ecosystems, strengthen Wealden’s natural capital and improve the district’s ability to respond to climate and biodiversity pressures.

By combining partnership working, community participation and landscape-scale delivery, Wilder Wealden represents a significant expansion of the environmental impact demonstrated through Wilder Ouse and supports Wealden’s ambition to become a leader in integrated climate and biodiversity action.

 

Links and further information