Wild Solutions is the name given to a new ecological consultancy and ecosystem service provider within Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, which is backed by the Trust’s 60 years of experience creating and managing space for nature across Derbyshire. 

The experienced and dedicated team of advisors, ecologists and land managers behind Wild Solutions want to work with as many people and organisations as possible to provide end-to-end nature-based solutions - from ideation and project development to delivery and practical implementation - with nature recovery at the heart of them.  

Wild Solutions is composed of three core service areas:   

• Nature recovery advice and strategies, habitat and species surveys, site restoration and management plans. 

• Wilder contracts specialising in practical habitat creation and restoration, land management, small-scale and urban habitat enhancement and interventions.  

• Ecosystem service provision, from biodiversity net gain habitat units and natural flood management to nutrient neutrality and reduction, and carbon sequestration and storage. 

The Wild Solutions team will offer advice and expertise at any stage of an ecological challenge or opportunity, with a broad range of other services including species reintroductions and nature-based finance, or a bespoke approach to meet the client's requirements.  

Speaking about the launch of the consultancy, Phoebe Cox, Consultancy Development Manager at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said: 

“We've been protecting wildlife and wild spaces in Derbyshire since 1962. We’ve been dedicated to doing exactly what Wild Solutions can provide for more than 60 years and have already implemented these solutions at our own sites across Derbyshire, so we are well placed to offer this service to others.  

“Through Wild Solutions we want to continue working with a wide range of clients, stakeholders and partners including parish, town and district councils, private landowners, land managers and businesses to support them with the bespoke, well-rounded solutions they need, whilst driving change to take action for wildlife, making more space for nature and helping its recovery. 

“All the profits generated through the Wild Solutions consultancy will be reinvested to secure the best outcomes for nature and have a greater impact for wildlife.” 

As part of the services provided by Wild Solutions, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is developing a pilot approach to funding even more space for nature, maximising opportunities presented by changes to the planning process as a result of the 2021 Environment Act.  

The Act includes a requirement that by Autumn 2023, all new developments (such as housing developments and commercial sites) need to leave wildlife habitats in a better state than before the development. This improvement, which must be at least 10%, is referred to as Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).   

“There is growing focus on nature-based solutions to meet environmental and climate emergencies, which offers a significant opportunity for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to leverage its expertise to operate commercially, while remaining true to its charitable status and strategic goals,” adds Phoebe. 

“For example, we recently secured the purchase of 60 acres of land for nature and local people to enjoy at Old Whittington, to the north of Chesterfield, which will be known as ‘Wild Whittington’. 

“The piece of land is set to be rewilded, creating new habitats, which is great news for nature and local people, but will also enable us to use BNG units to raise further funds to protect land and nature, as we always have done, whilst generating income to make more space for nature.” 

To find out more about working with Wild Solutions to achieve nature’s recovery, visit the Wild Solutions website, or get in touch by emailing wildsolutions@derbyshirewt.co.uk.