Part of the floodplain of the River Skerne, this flat, low-lying land is seasonally waterlogged and although the area was in agricultural use before it was acquired, in medieval times it would have formed part of a complex of wetlands collectively known as the Durham Carrs. The Carrs included wet grasslands, fens, ponds and wet woodlands, all of which supported a vast array of species, many of which are now lost. 

But...as a nature restoration charity, we have big and bold plans. 

A changing climate, the need to remove nutrient pollution from our waterways and the Durham Wildlife Trust mission to restore nature have all helped shape our vision for a Great North Fen, with a target to restore 500 hectares of the Durham Carrs. Working with partners, our vision will see nature return to this area, bringing back lost habitats and species but also offering nature-based solutions to the very real and growing environmental issues society is facing. 
 
Our next steps will be to plan what nature needs to kick-start rewilding - and how, as a charity, we are able to fund it. What we are talking about here are things like re-wiggling water courses, increasing tree cover and developing a variety of wetland habitats.  
 
The Trust cannot wait to welcome Sara back in the future, hopefully with colleagues too, to see how our Great North Fen is progressing. We’re already thinking about how to manage this rewilded landscape and that’s where it could get very exciting – beavers and bison, anyone? Who knows, perhaps one day.