Project snapshot

Heal Rewilding, a UK-based nature recovery charity, has developed a financial model to facilitate mid-scale (~500 acres) nature recovery projects across England. The model leverages a combination of concessional and commercial debt, alongside public and private donations, to acquire land for rewilding. The first site, Heal Somerset, was acquired in 2022, showcasing the viability of this approach. Revenue streams include land sponsorship, donations, and ecosystem services, demonstrating how blended finance can support rapid nature recovery.

Investment and operating model

The acquisition of Heal Somerset, a 460-acre former dairy farm, was financed through a GBP 3 million (~USD 3.8 million) concessional loan from Direct Line Group and a GBP 3.75 million (~USD 4.8 million) commercial loan from Triodos Bank UK. Additional funds came from Heal’s land fund, supported by public and corporate donations, and the “Heal 3×3” land sponsorship scheme.

Revenue generation is a key aspect of the model. Commercial activities such as ecotourism, events, and corporate hospitality contribute to ongoing site management costs. Future income is expected from natural capital markets, including biodiversity credits.

Grants have also played a role in supporting the project. Heal received a GBP 100,000 (~USD 128,000) grant from the UK Government’s Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund (NEIRF) to assess the potential for ecosystem services revenue. Other charitable grants have covered management and operational expenses. The project is also exploring further revenue opportunities through agri-environmental schemes like Countryside Stewardship Plus.

Impact measurement

Due to the nature-led approach of Heal Somerset, explicit return targets and nature recovery goals are not set. Currently, there is no standardised ecosystem-wide impact framework for rewilding projects. However, Heal is using the UK Government’s Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Metric 4.0 for habitat assessment and is piloting species baselining and monitoring aligned with the Rewilding Britain framework.

A tiered approach to species monitoring has been developed, with different levels of data collection. Some voluntary biodiversity market suppliers have their own proprietary frameworks, but until a widely accepted standard emerges, Heal will continue gathering data using multiple metrics. Future impact measurement may align with frameworks developed through the British Standards Institution’s Nature Investment Standards Programme.

Scalability and replication

Heal’s long-term objective is to establish 25,000 acres of nature recovery sites across all 48 English counties. To achieve this, it seeks GBP 20-40 million (~USD 25.5 – 51 million) in funding within the next 1-2 years. The charity is exploring the creation of a special-purpose vehicle to attract large-scale investment while maintaining its non-profit status.

Private sector investment has played a crucial role in securing sites quickly. The charity prioritises impact lending over investor returns to cover upfront acquisition and restoration costs. The financial model tested at Heal Somerset will inform future Heal Rewilding projects and could be replicated in other European countries with similar land ownership models.

Conclusion

The Heal Rewilding investment blueprint demonstrates how blended finance structures can support nature recovery projects. By integrating public and private funding sources, the model ensures financial viability while prioritising environmental impact. The project’s approach to impact measurement and scalability highlights the potential for broader replication, providing a framework for increasing private investment in conservation efforts.