Rewilding Allestree Park - timeline and next steps

Dung Beetle Monitoring

There are 60 species of dung beetle in the UK – how many do we have at Allestree Park? Join us this autumn to find out! 

Be a Bison Day

Naturally, bison manage woodlands. They encourage more light to the woodland floor and increase the amount of deadwood to benefit native plants and animals. Using tools, we’ll roam through the Allestree woodlands and mimic the behaviour of these incredible ecosystem engineers. 

Be a Wild Pony Day

As selective grazers, wild ponies play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by managing the spread of tougher grasses and plants. Using tools, we’ll mimic their behaviour - pushing back the brambles to maintain species diversity.

Wilder Schools Engagement

Throughout the project, we are keen to engage the future Derby residents as much as possible and enjoy the benefits of Allestree Park. From planting trees to undertaking ‘leading a project for positive change’ courses, we have enjoyed sessions with many schools, local and further afield. 

We are looking to engage with more budding rewilding lovers in 2026, please do get in touch if you would like your school to get involved!

Allestree Park Community of Practice

We are pleased to offer support to local practitioners to enrich outdoor learning. We will be running a series of twilight sessions that respond to the needs of local schools whilst building a local support network where outdoor practices and expertise can be shared for many years to come. For more information, please get in touch.  

Allestree Park Junior Rangers

Junior Rangers is a group designed for 11–18-year-olds who love the outdoors and have an interest in conservation. They meet once a month and carry out activities linked to the community rewilding project, led by our trained, community-volunteer leaders.

Find out more about Junior Rangers

See the Junior Rangers in action

Allestree Park Nature Tots

Led by St Edmund’s Baby and Toddler Group and supported with training and resources from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Nature Tots is a playgroup with a difference. Designed to connect pre-school children with nature, encouraging learning, play and fun outdoors.

For more info contact Caroline at St Edmunds - steds.stmatts@outlook.com

Outdoor shelter design

Plans are taking shape to create an outdoor learning shelter and a dipping pond for local school children, Nature Tots, Junior Rangers and other community groups. The shelter will provide a base to learn from whilst the pond will enable learners to get up close with pond lurking critters during school visits and events.

In the meantime, two pop up canopies in the trees are being used – a parachute canopy by the utility building facing the hall, and a tarp canopy close to the entrance near The Evergreen Hall. Both can be put up and taken down as needed to support educational sessions. 

Site interpretation

We’ll be working to develop ways for new visitors to engage with the park and learn not only about the rewilding project but the cultural, environmental and historical importance of the park.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Derby City Council will continue to carry out a feasibility study on how to make the park more accessible and inclusive. This will include the installation of new benches, communal seating areas and the improvement of existing nature trials.