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A river flowing through trees

 © Sophie Bell

Thriving in a Wilder Trent

Helping habitats along the River Trent

Thriving in a Wilder Trent is a project to manage and restore priority floodplain habitat across the River Trent and tributaries, funded by the Species Survival Fund plus a funding match by Severn Trent Water. The aim is to benefit numerous species associated with wetland habitats in the area. The project is being delivered through a partnership with several other trusts and organisations.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Nottingham City Council, RSPB, Canal & River Trust, Trent Rivers Trust, Gedling Conservation Trust, Severn Trent

Overarching objectives

🌳 Improving quality and area of existing wildlife sites

🌱 Increasing connectivity of wetland habitat

🕷️ Controlling invasive species

🌡️ Climate change resilience​

🏘️ Increase community engagement in nature recovery​

Target species

Through this project we are aiming to create and restore habitat for a large number of species. For a run down of the species we are helping, check out our listing of the top ten species to benefit from our work!

See the Trent Top Ten 

Project area

Thriving in a Wilder Trent covers 90km of the River Trent, including 615ha of land, and 29km of canal.

Thriving in a Wilder Trent Project Outline Map

Map outlining the area that the project covers, and which Trusts are in charge of each section - click or tap the map to zoom in

Project outcomes

Here are just some of the things we're working on as part of Thriving in a Wilder Trent:

  • 25 “No Fence” collars​

  • Purchase of roboflail​

  • 6 Tern Rafts (at 3 sites) ​

  • Wader island at Besthorpe​ Nature Reserve

  • Coppicing and pollarding willow at Girton, Farndon and Attenborough Nature Reserve.

  • Scrub management (using mulcher)​

  • Deer fencing at Attenborough Nature Reserve​

  • Fencing at Besthorpe, Spalford and Muskham nature reserves​

  • Hedgerow management at West Burton Meadow​

  • Landowner advice and small grant scheme.

Grants for landowners and farmers

Thanks to match funding from Severn Trent, we are able to support landowners and farmers with a grant scheme aimed at creating habitat on their land to boost nature and provide practical advice on maintaining it.

If you own or manage land within 2.5km of the River Trent, or along one of its tributaries, and are interested in receiving funding up to £15,000 for undertaking restoration work on unproductive land don’t delay in applying. 

Further information and the grant application form can be viewed below to be downloaded and completed for submission.

Grant guidance and application forms

Meet the project team

Three members of the project team stood in front of the River Trent

Left to Right: Wayne Ball – Head of Nature Recovery (South); Miriam Lawley – Wilder Trent Project Officer; Wendy Hancock – Wilder Trent Project Manager.

three of the project team on a pond dipping platform looking into the pond

L-R Millie Watkins Wilder Trent Ranger, Miriam Lawley Wilder Trent Project Officer, Wendy Hancock Wilder Trent Project Manager.

If you would like to know more and discuss the project with the team then get in touch with them directly through the form below.

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Species Survival Fund, Funded by UK Government, Heritage Fund

This project is funded by the Government's Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.