The CEO will also discuss the Wilder Blean Project, an innovative project involving the release of free-roaming bison into an ancient woodland in Canterbury to demonstrate their effectiveness as ecosystem engineers and their impact in creating species rich habitats as a nature-based solution, replacing mechanical, human management test their effectiveness at habitat management as a nature-based solution. 

At 2.30pm on February 28th 2023, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is holding a second public evidence session on the policies governing species reintroduction in England.  

The MPs present will have the opportunity to hear evidence from the panel and to pose questions to the role and challenges of species reintroduction and will give Kent Wildlife Trust the opportunity to discuss how the return of missing species into our landscapes can support nature recovery, restoration, climate resilience and support the commitments made in the 25 Year Environment Plan. 

The committee will also ask how reintroductions should best be managed alongside other land uses, including farming and forestry and Kent Wildlife Trust will be explaining the importance of human wildlife coexistence in supporting the return of missing species. 

A number of experts will also be giving evidence alongside Evan Bowen-Jones:  

• Tom Bradshaw, Deputy President, National Farmers’ Union 

• Professor Alastair Driver, Director, Rewilding Britain 

• Judicaelle Hammond, Director of Policy, Country Land and Business Association. 

This evidence session will look particularly at:  

• Keystone species – species that have a significant effect on their environment and improve wider biodiversity, such as the Eurasian beaver.   

• The regulatory framework – including the 2021 Environment Act that has targets for improving species abundance.  

• The importance of meaningful stakeholder consultation – including with farmers, other land users and residents.  

• The potential impact on farming practices – for example if lynx were reintroduced in the UK, as has been mooted, farmers have said that sheep may have to be reared indoors, particularly at vulnerable times such as lambing, to reduce the risk of attacks. 

Prior to the session Evan Bowen-Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Kent Wildlife Trust said: “We welcome the opportunity to discuss the experiences we have had in the reintroduction of species into Kent and the many benefits they bring with them, such as increasing biodiversity and making our landscape more resilient to climate change. 

“With our partners we have broken new ground in the release of free-roaming bison into West Blean and Thornden woods, but with that came many legislative challenges and I hope that our experiences will help shape legislation to pave the way for other conservationists to follow suit. 

“We need a clear, diverse and well thought through framework that helps government achieve nature, biodiversity and climate targets and help us deliver our goals within the Wilder Kent Strategy.” 

Species reintroduction is the return of regionally extinct plants or animals to their natural historic locations. Examples of successful reintroductions already carried out in the UK include the ladybird spider and the red kite.  

The session can be viewed on parliamentlive.tv 

You can learn more on our beaver project here and more on our Wilder Blean Bison Project here.