New Bere Regis greenspace to help protect Dorset’s heathlands

A new countryside site has opened at Wild Woodbury in Bere Regis.

Just outside the village near the A35, the greenspace offers a welcoming place for people to connect with nature while it helps to protect Dorset’s internationally important heathlands.

The Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) has been funded through contributions from developers collected by Dorset Council.

Created by Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) the site is part of Wild Woodbury, DWT’s pioneering rewilding initiative covering 170 hectares and making it England’s first large-scale community rewilding project.

The green space will play a vital role in safeguarding the Dorset Heaths by providing an alternative area for recreation, easing visitor pressure on the sensitive habitat. 

The space features car parking, dog waste bins and walking paths that meander through open glades and emerging woodland. While the area is currently grassland, it is being allowed to gently return to its natural state with minimal intervention, while maintaining walking paths.

A food forest is being planted with fruiting trees and bushes, and a large community table will provide a space for people to gather, share and learn.

Bere Regis Primary School and local residents have played a central role in shaping the design of the space, ensuring it reflects the needs and aspirations of the village.

Information boards and hand-written chalk signs help visitors keep up to date and discover more about local nature and the rewilding project happening across Wild Woodbury.

Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council and Cabinet Member for Climate, Performance and Safeguarding, said:

“This is a brilliant example of how we can balance nature recovery with public access. It provides an alternative recreational area that helps protect nearby heathland, home to many of Dorset’s most treasured wildlife species.

“Dorset Wildlife Trust has done a tremendous job restoring Wild Woodbury. The SANG is an accessible way for people to experience and engage with the rewilding journey, without disturbing the delicate heathland and the wildlife it supports.

“Funding collected from developers when new homes or buildings are constructed, has enabled the creation of this valuable green space for the community.

“This is a great demonstration of how development and conservation can work together.”

Open day – Saturday 15 November 2025

Join Dorset Wildlife Trust for a community open day at Wild Woodbury, from 10am to 3pm. Come along to help plant trees in the community forest, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with fellow nature lovers and explore the rewilding site to learn about the diverse range of species that call it home.

Guided walks will set off at 11am and 1pm.

Find out more about the open day here.

More about Wild Woodbury

Now four years into its transformation, Wild Woodbury spans 170 hectares and is England’s first large-scale community rewilding project. The site has seen remarkable ecological recovery, with over 1,900 species recorded, an increase of 600 since the first year.

Rewilding efforts include stage-0 river restoration and the introduction of free-roaming cattle, ponies, and pigs, which have helped shape a dynamic mosaic of habitats. 

The project’s vision is to restore natural processes, improve water quality, store carbon, and create thriving ecosystems. The inclusion of SANG within Wild Woodbury not only enhances public access and enjoyment but also reinforces the site’s role in supporting Dorset’s heathland mitigation strategy. 

With continued community involvement and generous public support, Wild Woodbury is setting a new standard for sustainable land management and nature recovery in the region. 

Read about the Wild Woodbury Project