WildEast

What is WildEast?

WildEast began as a lockdown idea from four friends who were determined to make a difference to restore our depleted biodiversity in the East of England.

Our goal is simple but hugely ambitious. To restore 20% of our region back to nature. That means every window box, garden, school yard, church yard, prison yard, and farm yard can play its part.

For too long, nature restoration has been done by too few people, in too few places. WildEast exists to democratise nature recovery and give everyone an opportunity to rebuild habitats and restore ecosystems. We don't need a million people doing nature restoration perfectly, we need millions doing it imperfectly. Whether it's rewilding part of your garden, joining a community nature project, or simply following us on social media, every action matters, and every action helps.

We created the WildEast map as a way of celebrating all the support people are giving across the region. We're on a mission to get one million people to pin their name to the map to show their support for nature restoration. It's a big target, but we'll only reach our goal of 20% if everyone gets involved.

Are you ready to pin your name to the map?

WildEast began as a lockdown idea from four friends who were determined to make a difference to restore our depleted biodiversity in the East of England.

Our goal is simple but hugely ambitious. To restore 20% of our region back to nature. That means every window box, garden, school yard, church yard, prison yard, and farm yard can play its part.

Are you ready to pin your name to the map?

WildEast began as a lockdown idea from four friends who were determined to make a difference to restore our depleted biodiversity in the East of England.

Our goal is simple but hugely ambitious. To restore 20% of our region back to nature. That means every window box, garden, school yard, church yard, prison yard, and farm yard can play its part.

Are you ready to pin your name to the map?

Pin your name to the map

THIS IS TEAM WILDEAST

WildEast was created by a team of planet savers with a wild dream.

They all believe in one wild truth: that restoring nature across 20% of our region is critical, urgent, and only possible if we all play our part.

Hugh Somerleyton DL
Trustee
Owner of Somerleyton Estate, North Suffolk. Creator of successful brands Dish Dash, Hot Chip, regenerative farmer, rewilder and conservationist. Trail runner, wild swimmer and agitator for change. WildEast Foundation created to make decisive impact across the WildEast region to re-educate, restore and reconnect people and nature to ensure sustainable abundance and greener lives.
Laura Hampton
Head of Engagement and Partnerships
Laura Hampton leads engagement and partnerships at WildEast, focusing on fundraising, resource management, and communications. A former BBC environmental journalist and professional sailor, she brings a wealth of experience in reporting on global environmental issues. Raised on the North Norfolk Coast, Laura is passionate about reconnecting people with nature and ensuring WildEast’s mission is delivered through strong partnerships and strategic initiatives.
Argus Gathorne-Hardy
Trustee
Argus is a Suffolk Architect with a passion for vernacular buildings and the East Anglian landscape. He comes from a family of naturalists, zoologists and farmers with strong links to nature conservation. The family farm was the Regional Winner in the RSPB Nature of Farming Awards and received a Special Award for Conservation from the Suffolk Agricultural Society.
Olly Birkbeck
Trustee
Formerly a soldier and journalist, Olly now directs Little Massingham Estate, where he is putting restorative farming practices into place alongside the restoration of 500 acres of heathland nature reserve.