Human Swan Flies Into The WildEast
"I can't wait to fly into the WildEast to see some of the incredible nature recovery projects that they are helping to support." Sacha Dench, the "Human Swan'
Inspiring Australian biologist Sacha Dench, an Ambassador for the UN’s Convention on Migratory Species, is currently flying around Britain in a wind and green electricity-powered paramotor. Known as the “Human Swan”, Dench is on a mission to break a Guinness World Record for the longest flight by electric paramotor in the lead up to COP26. She arrives with her team in East Anglia on Sunday 15th August, with plans to visit a range of conservation projects that work in collaboration with WildEast.
The WildEast movement was initiated by three East Anglian farmers last July, and aims to return 250,000 hectares back to the wild over the next 50 years. Its powerful, democratic approach is through the pledging of up to 20% of individuals’ land - be it a tiny backyard or a large farm - towards nature recovery. Its Map of Dreams illustrates the degree of local and regional support secured so far, and shows the British public’s willingness to participate in the fight against climate change.
Dench and her film and support crew are on a mission to visit locations which are home to exciting and inspirational people, and share their human-size solutions to the impact of climate change. In East Anglia, she will see projects which illustrate the breadth of regional involvement, from all ages and walks of life. Follow Dench’s journey across East Anglia, and pledge your support to WildEast.
DENCH'S WILDEAST ITINERARY
1) Regenerative Farming at Somerleyton Hall (East Suffolk)
First stop in the wild east for Dench will be Somerleyton Hall, home to rewilder, regenerative farmer and founder of WildEast, Hugh Crossley. Supporting the WildEast mission, Crossley has committed 1,000 acres to the WildEast Map of Dreams. His drive showcases the possibilities of slow-growing meat production in the region, providing an excellent example of how ecosystems can benefit from animals' rootling and grazing.
2) Community Action at Massingham (West Norfolk)
Dench will get a taste of the community action underway through WildEast in Massingham, where different groups are working together to make significant environmental gains. Here, WildEast co-founder, passionate environmentalist and farmer Olly Birkbeck has restored 500 acres of heathland, where rare bird species, including the Turtle Dove and Cuckoo can now be spotted.
At the village school children tend the school garden, cook vegetables they grow and learn about the importance of biodiversity through their wildflower beds. In partnership with the village hall, the school is planting over 400 trees around the playing field. Meanwhile, at the volunteer-led Great Massingham Biodiversity project, local people are empowered to engage with nature through its pond, wood, and wildflower meadow.
3) Kids in Nature at Warren School, Lowestoft
WildEast is working with schools in the region to increase kids' exposure to nature - to encourage their desire to protect it. The Round Britain Climate Challenge team will see this in action at Warren School, which caters to children and young people with severe learning difficulties. In a quiet corner of the sports field lies a much-loved wild patch of land. The plot: a pond, orchard and wildlife meadow, provides an invaluable natural sanctuary where children can engage in activities from pond dipping to apple bobbing. The space brings tremendous benefits; for the more able learners it helps promote an understanding of the importance of biodiversity; for the less able, it encourages their physical and emotional wellbeing.
For more information about WildEast visit www.wildeast.co.uk. For more information about Sacha Dench visit www.sachadench.com and her Round Britain Climate Challenge visit www.conservation-without-borders.org.
