The grant is to be used for core funding, to bring individuals and organisations from diverse backgrounds together to support UK nature recovery, climate change action and wellbeing through practical action at new rewilding sites in England.

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Heal was launched in March 2020 as the UK’s first charity dedicated to being a rewilding landowner and it acquired its 460-acre foundation site, Heal Somerset, in December 2022.

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In its short history, the charity has raised nearly half a million pounds in donations, secured lending from Direct Line Group and Triodos Bank UK for site acquisition, signed up over 300 volunteers, attracted 20 business partners, gained nearly 18,000 followers on social media and welcomed over a thousand people to webinars and live events. The Heal Somerset site now has two large free-to-access areas open to the public for 51 weeks a year.

Jan Stannard, Heal’s Chair of Trustees, said: “Heal’s trustees and staff are honoured to receive this vital and generous funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. The community of people who support us – site visitors, volunteers, donors, business partners, advisors and those in the rewilding community – will share our delight at this news. As before, we commend Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for being willing to fund the day-to-day work of charities and thank you for being a supportive and encouraging partner in our work.”