7 Re-Wilding Retreats: Volunteer to Restore Nature

3. Blean Woods & Kent Rewilding Projects, England

Kent Wildlife Trust and local partners have been developing rewilding projects in and around Blean Woods, a landscape where habitat connectivity and species reintroduction are active priorities. Reporting has highlighted initiatives tied to species reintroductions and expanded habitat management, including public-facing work around woodland restoration and scrubland management. Volunteers in these projects often help with non-native species removal, planting native woodland trees and shrubs, and carrying out simple wildlife monitoring tasks such as bird or invertebrate surveys. Where ambitious species projects are underway, local trusts coordinate careful monitoring and community engagement to ensure interventions support long-term ecosystem recovery. Accommodation is commonly locally based — volunteer days, weekend events, and occasional residential weeks — rather than large on-site retreats, so many volunteers combine this work with nearby guesthouses or local camping. Because these are community-driven programs, check the Kent Wildlife Trust or local project pages for current volunteer schedules, skill requirements, and any participation fees or safety briefings required for new volunteers.