140 hectares of underutilised land in Sandown could soon be transformed into a vibrant hub for ecological innovation, with plans afoot to launch an International School of Rewilding.
The school, situated within the UNESCO-designated Isle of Wight Biosphere, would be a not-for-profit pioneering environmental education and research centre aimed at restoring nature, building local skills, and boosting the Island’s green economy.
Plans include rewilding wetland areas with species such as the European elk, creating state-of-the-art marine labs and learning facilities, and establishing new pathways from local education to green industry jobs.
Year-round student accommodation and visitor facilities will be provided, with an emphasis on partnerships with universities, local businesses and environmental organisations.
The project is being backed by stakeholders including the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Artecology, RSPB and Natural England. It is hoped that the school could be operational within the next 5 years.
A spokesperson for the project has said:
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to place Sandown, The Bay, and the Isle of Wight at the heart of global environmental recovery.
Article continues below this advertisement “The ISR will be dedicated to preserving public access while advancing sustainable development, innovation and research investment and year-round tourism facilities and attractions”.
The project is on the agenda for Sandown Town Council’s Full Council meeting on 28th July, where Lawrence Bates, CEO of the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, will be presenting the project.
So where is this “140 hectares of underutilised land in Sandown?”
Fantastic idea, I really hope this goes ahead!
Then you clearly know nothing about agenda 2030 and the United nations 17 sustainable development goals. It all sounds very nice to the ignorant and uninformed but believe me this agenda is anything but good. Actually, don’t believe me. Do some of your own research and stop reading garbage like this.
I am assuming that they are proposing to use what was the other 6 holes of Brown’s Pitch and Putt Golf Course
Which far from being underutilised was not made available when the new people took over the running of the golf course
Wetlands?? Hardly likely to be a sandy golf course, is it? More likely Brading Marshes.
As stated
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to place Sandown, The Bay, and the Isle of Wight at the heart of global environmental recovery.
This not Brading!!
I do beg your pardon. Not Brading marshes, no, more likely Morton Marshes. Still not a golf course.
And the strangle hold The Council have over new owners and the lease they eventually gave them probably means it will shut again in 18 months time or so again,there is no gain for anybody who tries to make a go of Brown’s now it seems,but taking in those 6 holes at least means something new and innovative will come to Sandown it’s about time…
Absolutely. More “non jobs” for the island.
It’s already a ‘wetland’ in a beautiful spot. It just needs tidying a bit to allow access for humans; nature has already taken over so this looks like a great idea, and wholly ‘do-able’.