Wild Fell cover art

Wild Fell

Fighting for Nature on a Lake District Hill Farm

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Wild Fell

By: Lee Schofield
Narrated by: Lee Schofield
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

In 2015, England's last and loneliest golden eagle died in an unmarked spot among the remote eastern fells of the Lake District. It was a tragic day for the nation's wildlife, but the fight to restore the landscape had already begun.

Lee Schofield, ecologist and site manager for RSPB Haweswater, is leading efforts to breathe life back into two hill farms and their 30 square kilometres of sprawling upland habitat. The farms sit at the edge of the region's largest reservoir, beneath which lie the remains of a submerged village. The area's history has been a turbulent one for both its people and its wildlife, leaving its habitats in tatters.

In the search for inspiration, Lee sought out England's rarest mountain flower and travelled from the wild fells of Norway to the pristine meadows of the Alps. Informed, too, by the local land, its history and the people who have shaped it, Lee and his team have remeandered a straightened river and are repairing damaged wetlands, meadows and woods. Each year, the landscape is becoming richer, wilder and better able to withstand the shocks of a changing climate.

But in the contested landscape of the Lake District, change is not always welcomed, and success relies on finding a balance between rewilding and respecting cherished farming traditions. This is not only a story of nature in recovery, it is also the story of Lee's personal connection to place and the highs and lows of working for nature amid fierce opposition.

Wild Fell is a call to recognise that the solutions for a richer world lie at our feet; by focusing on flowers, we can rebuild landscapes fit for eagles again. A landscape of flowers is a landscape of hope.

©2022 Lee Schofield (P)2022 Penguin Audio
Animals Biological Sciences Ecosystems & Habitats Environment Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Science Conservation Inspiring England Habitat

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All stars
Most relevant
Beautiful book, just loved it.

The last chapter is just wonderful . I am inspired. I have worked for the rspb for 3 years now and this gives me hope that we have so much to achieve.

I cried my way through the last chapter

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Just as inspiring as first time round (and I don’t normally re-read). Highly recommended.

Second “reading”

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A book that should be full of anger based on what we have done to our landscape but it isn’t. The author tells a story that is balanced, without blame but most of all optimistic. With people like this doing the things that they are doing we might all still have a chance to witness once again our truly wild fells. A brilliant book

Not all is lost

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A fascinating and informative book. Everyone needs to read this book to learn of a future, not just for the Lake District, but elsewhere too, that could be so much more diverse, nature rich and exciting. We live amongst an obstinate majority of officials and landowners, who are fearful of change and have a complete lack of understanding of how and why we should push for a better, nature rich environment. If this change does not come soon, we all face a very difficult future on this earth. I only hope that this example and the others out there prove there is a better way and a good compromise for all.

Inspiring

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Informative, super interesting and passionately written. Highly recommended! The constant battle to save what remaining tiny fragments of biodiversity we have left in the Lakes whilst negotiating so many barriers. A wonderful book.

Beautifully written book

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