Here we’ve given you the short answers to the questions most commonly asked about our Rewild the Church campaign. You can find a more detailed answer, in our all-singing-all-dancing FAQs document! You’ll also find this document linked with the page number at the end of each of our more concise answers. Can’t find an answer here to the question that you’re pondering? Please get in touch with our team: rewildthechurch@wildcard.land.

What is Rewild The Church?

Rewild the Church is a growing movement of members of the Church of England and general public, calling on the Church Commissioners to protect nature on 30% of their 108,000 acres of land by 2030. This is essential to reverse biodiversity loss and meet the UN’s target and UK’s international commitment. 

What is ‘rewilding’?

Rewilding means protecting land so ecosystems can function again. It restores habitats and wildlife, locks up carbon, reduces flooding, creates jobs, boosts rural incomes, and improves people’s access to nature. 

Who are the Church Commissioners and how wealthy are they?

The Church Commissioners manage the Church of England’s largest investment fund which is now worth £11.1 billion. Their wealth grows by hundreds of millions every year, even after supporting the Church and paying some clergy pensions. Yet currently, they are not committing anything meaningful to restoring nature. 

What land do the Church Commissioners own?

They own 108,000 acres of land, mostly farmland, across England. This makes them one of the country’s largest landowners, yet they have not released a public map showing where this land lies (and they are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act). Their rural holdings, despite being nearly double the size of Birmingham, account for only about 5% of their £11.1 billion portfolio. The land they manage is separate from the land we may typically think of as church land – such as the land church buildings are on. Much more is happening within church communities on local church land to restore nature.

What condition is their land currently in?

The Commissioners’ land is severely nature-depleted. Woodland cover is just 3% – far below the national average – and over half of their Sites of Special Scientific Interest are in an unfavourable condition. 

How can the Church Commissioners meet the 30×30 target?

Protecting 30% of their land for nature is achievable. Existing woodland, peat soils and poorer farmland already take them a long way towards the goal. The remainder could come from just a share of their good to moderate Grade 3 farmland, leaving their best soils in food production.

What about food security?

Protecting Grades 1 and 2 farmland is important, but that makes up less than a third of their 108,000 acres. There is no mandate to keep 90% of the Commissioners’ estate in farming. Farming the lower grade land is a commercial choice to maximise profit, not a necessity, and in cases like lowland peat, it actively undermines UK and UN goals and guidance. 

What about nature-friendly farming?

Rewilding and regenerative farming are complementary and both are valuable. But they are very different – and have entirely different outcomes for nature. Rewilding requires land to be free from extractive use in order for ecosystems to begin to function again. This is what we are missing and what nature needs in order to bounce back. If we are to restore nature and live in a more stable and abundant world, we need landowners to protect land for nature as opposed to simply farm in a less harmful way – which is why the UN created the 30×30 target.

How would 30×30 affect tenant farmers?

Tenant farmers are key partners in protecting land for nature. With new public subsidies and income from natural capital, restoring nature can diversify and increase farm incomes. The Commissioners could follow the examples of other large landowners like the Crown Estate to practically and financially support tenants through the transition. 

What is the risk if the Commissioners do not act?

The risks are financial, legal, ecological, and reputational. By failing to rewild, the Commissioners could lose money, damage the value of their land, fall behind policy and investor expectations, and undermine the Church’s mission to care for creation and its net zero ambitions. 

Can the Church Commissioners afford to rewild 30% of their land?

Yes. Their rural estate only accounts for around 5% of their £11.1 billion fund, which grows every year by hundreds of millions. Rewilding 30% of their land would mean changing their income stream on a fraction of their assets, and in many cases would generate more income than farming. The greater financial risk in the long term is failing to protect nature, on which agriculture relies.

What does this mean for the Church’s net zero goal?

Protecting 30% of land for nature would strengthen the Church’s net zero efforts. Restored habitats like peatlands lock up carbon, while farming them releases it. At present, the Commissioners’ land use – in particular their farming of fenland peat – could be seen as undermining the Church’s wider climate action. 

Is the wider Church community and public supportive?

Yes. More than 100,000 people, church leaders, MPs, ecologists, congregations, and community groups are calling on the Commissioners to commit to 30×30. And the Church’s own parishes are already leading the way in caring for nature on their church land. 

Does the Bible say we should protect nature?

The Bible calls us to care for creation – not exploit it. Protecting and restoring nature is part of Christian faithfulness, and like the widow’s mite, we are called to give what is needed, even when it costs us.

How can I support the campaign?

The movement is constantly growing, and always benefits from more voices! You can start by adding your name to the petition, and signing up to our mailing list. Perhaps you would like to take a look at this Community Action Pack and take action with a local group? 

If you’re involved with a church or community group, or if you have a role within a Synod, please do reach out to rewildthechurch@wildcard.land.