Hadrian’s Wall Wetlands - Northumberland National Park Authority

This landmark nature recovery project aims to help tackle climate and biodiversity crises.

A bold new nature recovery project near Hadrian’s Wall is set to transform over 11,000 acres of farmland and forest, an area four times the size of Kielder Water, into a thriving, connected landscape for wildlife, people, and climate resilience.

Thanks to a £750,000 grant from DEFRA’s Landscape Recovery scheme, the Hadrian’s Wall Wetland Landscape Recovery project will restore and reconnect rare habitats, supporting iconic species like curlew, otter, osprey, and water vole, while helping farmers adapt to climate change.

“This is one of the most ambitious nature recovery projects in the UK,” said Tony Gates, Chief Executive of Northumberland National Park Authority. “We’re creating a landscape where nature and farming work hand in hand supporting biodiversity, tackling climate change, and enhancing the well-being of local communities and visitors alike.”

A vision for a wilder, healthier Northumberland

The project forms part of the wider Hadrian’s Wall: Recovering Nature initiative, launched in 2023, and aims to deliver long-term environmental benefits while preserving the area’s rich cultural heritage. The project area stretches along Hadrian’s Wall from Greenlee Lough to Bell Crag Flow, linking two National Nature Reserves, 12.8km of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and over 1,200 hectares of carbon-rich peatlands.

Farmers at the heart of recovery. Local farmers and landowners are central to the project’s success. The National Park is working with them to co-design nature-friendly land management plans that sustain productive businesses while restoring natural systems.