Creating spaces for nature restoration

Biodiversity loss is being driven by human use of land. As we lose forests, peatlands, wetlands, and coral reefs, many animals and plant species are rapidly losing their habitats. But this loss also impacts human health and livelihoods. The spread of disease, air quality, our ability to grow food, and our access to safe drinking water are all dependent on the health of natural ecosystems. 

When we destroy ecosystems, we also lose their ability to store carbon and cool the planet, which means global temperatures will continue to rise. 

Nature is incredibly resillient and has an enormous capacity for renewal, but it is our responsibility to prevent further loss and make sure we are protecting spaces that will allow for nature to be restored. 

That's why we're proud to be supporting organisations such as RESTORE. Triodos Bank UK has provided finance to help RESTORE buy the Emblehope & Burngrange Estate in Northumberland. This purchase will support the long-term restoration of a 7,500-acre landscape that will be dedicated fully to bringing back natural processes.

Located in Northumberland, the project aims to bring back natural processes across the landscape. Planned work includes rewetting around 800 hectares of damaged peatland, restoring areas where plants have been lost or degraded, and creating low-intensity grazing systems to support a wider range of habitats. Over time, the area is expected to become a varied landscape of open water, bog, scrub, dwarf trees and flower-rich clearings, shaped by nature itself.

A key part of the project is peatland restoration. By blocking old drainage channels and restoring the site’s natural water system, the project aims to hold more water across the land and reduce flood risk further downstream. Modelling suggests the restored peatland could eventually hold around 100,000 cubic metres of extra water. That is equal to about 40 Olympic-sized swimming pools, or the yearly water use of 700 households.

As habitats improve, species such as curlew, golden eagle and common crane are expected to return naturally. Where ecological evidence supports it, and the right permissions are in place, RESTORE will also look at possible future reintroductions of species including red-backed shrike, black grouse and wildcat.

The project also aims to create social and economic benefits alongside nature restoration. RESTORE plans to create new roles in land stewardship and community engagement. It also wants to work closely with local businesses and communities so the project brings lasting economic value to the region.

"What has long been missing from the English uplands is a large-scale site dedicated mainly to the most ambitious forms of nature restoration," said Benedict Macdonald, founder and director of RESTORE. "Many upland estates, farms and forestry sites support nature alongside commercial activity. Emblehope, by contrast, is set to become a biosphere-level reserve where nature itself leads the way."

Triodos Bank UK has a dedicated nature finance team that supports projects restoring ecosystems, strengthening biodiversity and building long-term environmental resilience. The bank has financed a growing number of nature-based projects across the UK. These projects help show how finance can support nature recovery at scale.