Cattle, deer, horses and pigs churn up the ground and trim back plants, stopping trees from taking over. Their dung restores the soil by adding nutrients. These grazers and browsers create dynamic new habitats for a wide range of plants and animals.

Insect life across the UK is in decline. Insects play vital roles in the ecosystem, as pollinators and decomposers, and as food for other wildlife. However at Knepp, the abundance and variety of insects is increasing. Rare species like the purple emperor butterfly and violet dor dung beetle have returned.

Wildlife has been quick to return to Knepp. By creating a range of habitats Knepp has become a breeding hotspot for many of the UK’s rarest creatures. The healthier an ecosystem, the more food there is and the more wildlife it can support.

As well as supporting rare creatures, Knepp is also home to growing populations of more familiar wildlife. While they were historically common, many are now on the decline in the UK.

A lot of places around Sussex are named after storks. They have been reintroduced to Knepp as a symbol of hope. In 2020, Knepp became home to the first wild storks to breed in the UK for over 600 years.

Knepp Rewilding Project is an example of using land to help reverse our declining wildlife and restore a healthy ecosystem. However, with 8 billion people living on the planet there is a lot of pressure on the land for food, housing and other uses. Rewilding can therefore divide opinion as it may be seen to prioritise nature over other needs.