In 2024, LettsSafari worked hard to promote rewilding and biodiversity restoration. Our efforts encompassed expanding our rewilding initiatives, engaging our community through educational projects and content, and participating in global environmental movements. And, of course, we were never happier than doing the work on the ground in our very own LettsSafari parks.
Our rewilding safari parks have been developing well, and are making quite an impact. The parks are carefully designed to restore natural habitats, support diverse wildlife populations, and combat climate change. We emphasise a collaborative approach, encouraging public participation in building the parks both physically and with LettsSafari subscriptions that fund tree planting, animal introductions, habitat development and brand new rewilding safari parks.
For every 10 subscribers we plant a 5 year old, naturally grown tree annually, every hundred subscribers support the introduction of new wild animals each year and every 10,000 subscribers we add a whole new safari park a year.
This year we planted more than thirty 5 year old trees across our parks - all grown naturally in LettsSafari's Capability Brown gardens. We created habitats for yet more diverse bird life with our extended waterways and further growth of natural hedgerows. This was the first year that we heard Nightingale in our parks and, at the same time, our birds of prey kept adding to their numbers. Our efforts to protect a resident herd of black fallow deer has been very successful.
One of our network of rewilding safari parks, Hill Crest , sent us their year end update: "All is well here in Devon's wildlands with the Pine Martens released back into our landscape, fledging barn owls and two more sites coming on board this winter, things are coming along nicely." They reminded us of the great words of Dr Seuss, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."
Through our direct initiatives, the wider LettsSafari network of parks , our subscribers and our digital outreach, we have inspired hundreds of new rewilding parks and gardens in 2024. We know it because you tell us. Many in southwest England but also now a growing number across the country and even further afield.
Throughout the year, LettsSafari has provided valuable resources to educate the public on rewilding practices. Our "Creating Your Very Own Safari Garden" series offers practical advice for individuals to transform their gardens into wildlife havens, promoting urban biodiversity. Additionally, we've highlighted the importance of participating in initiatives like "No Mow May," encouraging people to let their lawns grow to support pollinators and other wildlife.
In celebration of Earth Day 2024, LettsSafari emphasised the significance of combating plastic pollution and embracing nature restoration. We provided guidance on how individuals can contribute to these efforts, reinforcing the idea that collective small actions can lead to substantial environmental benefits.
Sculptures installed at LettsSafari's Capability Brown gardens in Exeter underlined this - with a series of fascinating trees made by Robert Marshall MRSS from recycled plastic bottles.
Aligning with global environmental movements, LettsSafari participated in World Rewilding Day by showcasing some of the world's most significant rewilding projects. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about large-scale rewilding efforts and inspire individuals and communities to engage in similar activities locally.
LettsSafari was one of the first to develop the concept of urban rewilding. We're excited to see it starting to take off - and in 2024 we highlighted a great number of large institutional projects like the transformation of Derby's Allestree Park into Britain's largest urban rewilding space or the exciting transformation of the moat at the Tower of London. But also photos and description of the many small gardens owned by individuals who have pursued our techniques and created mini rewilded spaces in back gardens or front gardens that line London streets. By highlighting projects, large and small, our advocacy inspires evermore integration of natural habitats within urban settings. It's so important to promote biodiversity even in densely populated areas.
Looking ahead, LettsSafari plans to expand its reach by making its services more universally available. This expansion will involve an even broader audience in rewilding efforts, enabling more people to contribute and benefit from restored natural environments. You never know, we might even pop up in other countries helping them to discover the LettsSafari approach to mass market rewilding - one garden, one park, one plant, and one animal at a time.
Our activities in 2024 have significantly contributed to rewilding and biodiversity restoration - creating a strong platform for growth. Through expanding rewilding parks, providing educational content, and engaging in global environmental initiatives, we are making strides fostering a collaborative approach to environmental conservation, empowering individuals and communities to participate in creating a more biodiverse and sustainable future. We thank you for sharing our journey in 2024 and are excited about doing even more in 2025.
Help us build more rewilding safari parks together in 2025 - subscribe to LettsSafari today.
