To protect, restore and animate Kielder Water & Forest Park’s amazing wildlife for visitors and residents, helping them enjoy, learn, share and immerse themselves in nature whilst also contributing to the long-term protection of the area’s special animals and plants.

Living Landscapes is a vision for wildlife and people developed by The Wildlife Trusts. The idea is that by thinking big and collaborating on a larger scale than ever before, we can improve the landscapes of the UK for the benefit of our wildlife and people, both now and into the long-term future.

To protect vulnerable pockets of wildlife habitat through excellent management and nature reserve expansion, ensuring local residents and visitors can easily access nature-rich space close to home. This access will contribute to community and individual health and well-being through recreational enjoyment, learning and participation in conservation.

A 132 km2 coastal strip from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in the South to Amble in the North, bounded to the west by the east coast mainline.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust - Living Seas

For many years ospreys were seen passing through Kielder without stopping, always on the way north to more long-standing nesting sites in Scotland. As more and more of the best nesting spots were taken, it was just a matter of time before they stayed south of the border. To encourage this, Forestry England installed a number of platforms around the forest after a failed attempt to nest by two young birds in 2008. This paid off, as following an absence of about 200 years in Northumberland, ospreys returned to nest at Kielder in 2009.