Image of parkland at sunset

Conservation & Sustainability 

WHAT WE DO- PROJECTS

Osprey Return

Osprey Return

Osprey Return We are so excited that two Osprey chicks have been reared naturally on the Belvoir Estate. It is the first time in more than 200 years! It is the culmination of an eight-year biodiversity project coordinated by members of the local community in...

Data Collection

Data Collection

Data Collection The Duchess has been keen to understand more about the estate’s wildlife and ecology, from the rich parkland to our thriving farms and woodlands. The more we know, the more we can help conserve these precious ecosystems, and improve them for the...

Biomass Boiler

Biomass Boiler

Biomass Boiler Our biomass boiler was installed as part of our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and wider environmental impact. We now use about 400 tonnes of woodchip annually in the biomass boiler, replacing up to 80,000 litres of oil! Not only is this much...

Hedgerow Planting

Hedgerow Planting

Hedgerow Planting The planting of hedgerows is becoming increasingly important as farmland bird numbers continue to plummet across the UK. Hedgerows provide essential nesting sites, cover from predators and corridors between fragmented landscapes, however after...

Tree Planting

Tree Planting

Tree Planting With CO2 emissions rising and the planet on track to warm by 1.5°C above preindustrial levels by 2034, there has been a big emphasis on tree planting in recent years. This is a simple, natural solution for reducing our emissions, therefore Belvoir Estate...

Orchards

Orchards

Orchards Traditional orchards were once valuable habitats for a plethora of species. They provide nectar, sweet fruits and grassland, hedges and ancient trees for shelter. Unfortunately, they are becoming rather few and far between. A few years ago the family and...

Westminster Pond and Canal

Westminster Pond and Canal

Westminster Pond and Canal Have you spotted our 'new' canal, stretching out into the castle grounds? The canal has been on our maps for a great many years. However, was so silted up and overgrown you could hardly see it. Due to the hard work and dedication of the...

Garden Ponds, Lakes and Freshwater

Garden Ponds, Lakes and Freshwater

Garden Ponds, Lakes and Freshwater Despite covering less than 1% of the earth’s surface, freshwater host a staggering 33% of all vertebrates. They also host half of all fish species!  Freshwater ponds alone support 2/3rds of all freshwater species,  making them...

Moth Recording

Moth Recording

Moth Recording Unfortunately, moths generally tend to get bad press. This is perhaps unsurprising as a handful of the 2,500 species known to live in the UK are pests around our homes. They are known for eating textiles (sometimes precious vintage fabrics as we have at...

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