Aerial footage of an estate in Somerset has revealed the benefits of rewilding land in the face of extreme weather brought about by the climate crisis.

The area of the National Trust’s Holnicote estate where rivers have been returned to their natural courses and wetlands have been restored have remained green and lush during the five heatwaves across the summer. In contrast, the surrounding countryside has become parched and brown.

The two interventions are significant rewilding projects and provide strong evidence that nature-based solutions can protect against wildfires. This contradicts claims by some rightwing commentators, who have blamed rewilding for causing wildfires.

“Nature is providing solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing society today,” said Ben Eardley, the project manager at the Holnicote estate. “For generations as a nation we’ve drained wetlands, straightened rivers and moved water off the land as quickly as possible. Here, we’ve reversed that approach and the results are remarkable.