A conservation success story

(Gareth Henderson Photo)

The news landscape these days can get you down, but every now and then, a positive story emerges as a reminder that there are still good things to talk about.

An environmental success story came across our radar today, about an estate in Britain inherited by Charlie Burrell when he was 21. He farmed the land, but had to find a different solution years later when the estate's finances were failing, CNN reported. Burrell and his wife, Isabella Tree, opted to re-introduce a range of native species to the land starting in 2001, including some rare ones, and it is now a well-known gem in conservation circles. 

"We were living in a biological desert," Tree told CNN. "Now, ecologists are blown away all the time by just the amount of life here."  

The estate has now attracted rare birds, for example, including white storks. Fallow deer and Exmoor ponies are also among the wildlife there, among many other animals. In addition to that good news, Burrell has been able to save on expenses, find new revenue streams and turn the estate's finances around. 

The CNN report has some beautiful photos of the spectacular range of animals that now wander this land. They are proof that a tough situation can turn around for the better. When challenges arise, those hurdles don’t have to be the entirety of the story. Rather, they can be opportunities for unexpected progress and lasting, positive change. In this case, the result was a truly special conservation effort that will benefit the environment for many years to come.

— Gareth Henderson