Bison released into the wild to tackle climate change as UK temperatures soar

Bison released into the wild to tackle climate change as UK temperatures soar - Kent Wildlife Trust

Two bison standing amongst trees in the sunshine — (Robert Canis)

As experts predict the hottest day of the year – two leading conservation charities release bison into the wild to help tackle the climate crisis.

A ground-breaking project to slow the climate crisis using wild bison has reached a major milestone on what is predicted to be the hottest day on record this year.
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning with temperatures potentially reaching 35C – with Britons set to endure the very real effects of the climate crisis.
In the cooler part of the day, shortly before 7am, European bison were released into West Blean and Thornden Woods, Kent.
The bison are ‘eco-system engineers’ which means they will restore life to the woodland through their natural behaviours and offer a nature-based solution to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis.
This is the first-time bison have roamed in the UK for thousands of years.
The historic event occurs two years into a five-year project by the charities Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust, funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

A pioneering conservation project reached a historic milestone as European bison were released into an ancient woodland in Kent on what is predicted to be the hottest day of the year so far, Monday 18th July 2022.

The bison will create a more climate resilient landscape within West Blean and Thorden Woods, near Canterbury, and their natural behaviours restore dynamic and complex habitats.

By creating layers within the forest and naturally felling trees, the woodland will move away from being a monoculture, and wetter areas will not only store carbon, but reduce flood risk.