An exciting new two-day rewilding event is taking place in May at Heal Rewilding’s foundation site near Frome in Somerset.

The event will bring together experts, enthusiasts and newcomers to the topic. Into The Light, happening on Friday and Saturday May 10-11, will explore successes and new developments in rewilding, share stories of nature recovery, and consider how being in nature can boost wellbeing and help alleviate the impact of living in one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Tickets can be bought for one or both days.

Heal Rewilding 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. The idea is that sites will bring economic benefits to communities, creating new jobs and attracting investment into the locale.

On the Friday, the spotlight will be on rewilding finance and technology. The programme has been curated with a professional audience in mind, but would also be of interest to landowners, students and anyone interested in a deep dive into these topics.

Alastair Driver (Director of Rewilding Britain) will open the event and speakers on finance include Helen Edmundson, Deputy Director of Green Finance at Defra, Alicia Gibson, Advisory Director at Finance Earth, Amy Coulthard, Director of Operations at EnTrade and Helen Avery, Director of Nature Programmes and GFI Hive within the Green Finance Institute.

On the Saturday, the focus will be on wildlife, rewilding projects and broader themes. Attendees will hear from inspiring speakers and have the chance to contribute, challenge and question, as well as share good practice and positive stories of nature recovery from their own experiences.

Key talks include ‘All the small things: bees, butterflies and more’ and ‘The healing power of nature’. Speakers include Kwesia, founder of City Girl In Nature, Nick Gates, award-winning author and filmmaker, and Jasmine Isa Qureshi, intersectional writer and activist.

Between talks, attendees will be able to enjoy the Heal Somerset site, either walking freely around the 460 acres being rewilded or joining tours. There will be food and drink available to buy during the event. Delegates can stay locally or camp in the heart of the rewilding site.

Jan Stannard, Chair of Trustees and acting CEO, said: “Into The Light will give attendees the chance to find out what’s happening in rewilding, spend time with others who love nature and feel hopeful for the future.”