Arcadia has awarded Kent Wildlife Trust a grant over five years to help deliver projects that form part of the Wildlife Trusts’ nationwide Living Landscape programme.

The aim of Living Landscape is to rebuild Britain’s biodiversity on a ‘landscape’ scale, introducing large areas in countryside where wildlife can thrive. These areas will act as ‘climate corridors’, enabling for Britain’s wildlife move up and down the country as the climate changes.

The idea is a radical departure from the traditional approach to conservation, whereby islands of land are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), set aside as nature reserves, or made locally important wildlife sites.

The Living Landscape approach is to work with community groups, local authorities, landowners and businesses to make larger tracts of land more sustainable and richer in biodiversity. Each region and landscapes will have different approaches.

Kent is working with the Sussex Wildlife Trust on the Romney Marsh Living Landscape Partnership. This is one of the areas in the South East region that has the greatest potential for enhancement, restoration and re-creation of wetland habitats.

The partnership’s aim is to deliver major benefits to wildlife as well as enhance and promote sustainable tourism, support the farming economy, and engage local communities.