An insight into land management at Heal Somerset, written by regular volunteer and ecotherapy practitioner Simon Woodward (excerpt only, link to full blog at bottom of page) Neighbouring horses and solitary oaks The team’s morning began with a ragwort hunt in the northern fields. We were briefed to cut down any ragwort within thirty metres of a neighbouring fence. Jeremy said that we had been asked by Heal’s neighbours to cut down the ragwort to prevent it being eaten by thei

An insight into land management at Heal Somerset, written by regular volunteer and ecotherapy practitioner Simon Woodward (excerpt only, link to full blog at bottom of page) Into The Light Having been away from Heal for a few months, my path back to Heal started with attending the Into The Light gathering on Saturday the 6th of June. The gloom of the overcast day was offset by the warm greetings I received, unexpected hugs and compliments. We sat in a billowing marquee listen

Discover the journey since wild beavers arrived at Heal Rewilding's foundation site in 2024 (excerpt only, link to The Beaver Trust's full guest blog at bottom of page) Two and a half years ago, we spotted a few freshly gnawed willow stems beside a small stream at Heal Somerset. It was a tiny clue, but one that would lead to one of the most exciting wildlife stories we’ve ever had the privilege to witness. A month later, a trail camera confirmed our suspicions: a beaver had a

An insight into land management at Heal Somerset, written by regular volunteer and ecotherapy practitioner Simon Woodward (excerpt only, link to full blog at bottom of page) Leaky dams and soggy socks (autumn 2025) Guarded by blackthorn and bramble, water the colour of old-gold ochre runs inside many of the field's ditches. I have waded and shuffled through many of them, hunting lines of hidden barbed wire. Once, I was caught out by an old gushing field drain that filled my l

A Heal 2nd birthday blog, by Jan Stannard, Co-founder and Chair of Trustees, Heal Rewilding I remember the moment when I realised that...