The 2023 State of Nature Report concluded that Britain is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, with one in six species identified as being at risk of extinction. To make matters worse, most of our habitats for nature are classed as being in poor condition. However, restoration projects have been proven to have clear benefits for nature and people. They also provide an opportunity for climate change adaptation and resilience. These are just a few of the thing we can create to ensure your land is as nature-friendly and biodiverse as possible.
Habitat Creation and Management in Surrey
Tree Planting, Natural regeneration and Restoration
We can plant native trees where necessary in a naturalistic way that increases species diversity and age. Given that it often leads to a far more resilient, adaptive environment, we can also create the appropriate conditions for natural regeneration to occur, with us acting as proxies for large herbivores. Veteran trees, being one of the most important habitats in a woodland, with all the holes, hollows and nooks they possess are a vital habitat for hundreds of species of birds, invertebrates and small mammals such as bats. These complex niches do not exist in youngers trees. If you do not have any of these elders statesmen on your land, we can veteranize younger trees by providing them with some of those attributes.
Ponds
Ponds are an absolute magnet for nature, providing food and shelter for multiple species of insects, birds, small mammals, reptiles, and of course, amphibians. The more ponds you have, the better, as each, depending on its location, level of shade and age, can offer a slightly different habitat for the species that live there. At Wild By Design, we have been making ponds for our customers for many years. It is something we take pride in and want to install as many of them on our wild spaces as possible. If you’re lucky enough to live in an area with clay soils, you wouldn’t even need a liner!
Wildflower Meadows
These are a fantastic habitat for a host of insect, birds and mammals. A healthy meadow may support over 100 species of wildflowers. These habitats are particularly crucial for pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and moths. Wildflowers provide nectar and pollen, essential food sources for these insects. One acre of wildflower meadow can produce enough nectar to support nearly 96,000 honey bees in a single day. By sowing locally sourced wildflower seeds or using green hay from nearby sites, we can help create a healthy wildflower meadow for you.
Drystone Walls
The cracks and niches these structures create are a home to multiple species of insects, reptiles, birds and small mammals. They also act as corridors, allowing safe passage for fauna whilst connecting fragmented parcels of land and improving genetic diversity. Creating a drystone wall on your land is an excellent way to encourage biodiversity.
Hedges
Much like the drystone wall, hedges are vital linear habitats that act as corridors for wildlife. They provide shelter, food and safety to dozens of species of fauna. Birds such as the wren, song thrush, dunnock and chaffinch seek the protection of hedges to nest and forage. We can either lay existing hedges or plant new ones using a diverse mix of native trees such as hawthorn, beech, dogwood, hazel and blackthorn.
Deadwood
Deadwood is a crucial part of a woodland. It plays a big part in nutrient recycling, acting as a carbon storage system, and stabilising our all-important soil. For these reasons, at least 20-30% of the woodland should comprise of deadwood in one of its many forms. If your land does not have any, we can create standing deadwood, by ringbarking live trees. This may sound extreme, but they are an excellent habitat for saproxylic (deadwood loving) insects such as the endangered stage beetle. Fallen deadwood can be left in place as it holds a reservoir of nutrients which will slowly be released back into the soil, the most important part of our woodland. Log piles and rotting tree stumps are also valuable deadwood stores.
Hibernaculum
An excellent underground refuge for small mammals, insects, reptiles and amphibians. The aim of the hibernaculum is to create voids and spaces within a structure which has stable temperatures and humidity, allowing creatures to shelter from the heat of summer or the freezing depths of winter. It will provide a safe space for hibernating animals to see out the winter, or a place to bask in the summer sun. These can be created from stone, earth and timber from the site. If you are having a pond installed, a hibernaculum is the perfect place to dispose of the extracted soil!
Bird, Bat and Dormice Boxes
By putting up these ready-made homes in the most appropriate spots, we will hopefully attract barn owls, kestrels, bats and dormice to your site. This simple act will help to maintain and increase threatened species in your area.
Woodland Regeneration and Management in Surrey
Ecological care. Thoughtful restoration. Long-term value.
At Wild by Design, we take a holistic, science-led approach to woodland management. Serving Surrey and the surrounding counties, our experienced team works with landowners, estates, conservation groups and planners to restore, maintain, and enhance native woodlands for generations to come.
We specialise in crafting bespoke woodland strategies that align with your goals—whether that’s biodiversity enrichment, landscape enhancement, or sustainable access improvements. Our work blends ecological integrity with creative problem-solving, ensuring your woodland remains a thriving, resilient ecosystem.
Comprehensive Woodland Management Services
We provide a complete service from consultation to aftercare:
1. Initial Health Assessment & Ecological Survey
Site walk-through with our ecological specialists
Assessment of tree health, understorey, invasive species, biodiversity and habitat quality
Discussion of your long-term goals: conservation, amenity, rewilding or landscape value
2. Tailored Woodland Management Plans
Clear, actionable plans covering selective thinning, glade creation, coppicing, access improvements, and planting schemes
DIY implementation guidance or full professional delivery by our trained team
Compliance with local ecological standards and forestry legislation
3. Habitat Enhancement & Restoration
Invasive species control (manual, mechanical and chemical)
Habitat creation: dead hedging, log piles, wildflower glades, native replanting
Sensitive path creation and woodland edge refinement for public or private access
4. Long-Term Monitoring and Adaptive Management
Annual health checks, biodiversity surveys, and plan refinement
Ongoing maintenance services and contractor coordination
Flexible plans for seasonal shifts, storm damage, or emerging threats
Why Choose Wild by Design for Woodland Management in Surrey?
Deep ecological knowledge + proven practical experience
Trusted by private estate owners, architects, developers, and conservation groups
Thoughtful integration with surrounding habitats, watercourses, and boundaries
Collaborative approach that keeps you informed every step of the way
Fully insured, accredited, and up-to-date on Forestry Commission and local authority guidelines
Wild Flower Meadow Management in Surrey
Nurturing Nature, Season by Season
At Wild by Design, we don’t just create wildflower meadows—we steward them. Our wildflower meadow management services in Surrey ensure your meadow continues to thrive year after year, evolving into a rich, self-sustaining habitat that supports biodiversity and brings seasonal beauty to your landscape.
Whether we installed your meadow or you inherited an existing one, we provide expert guidance and hands-on care tailored to your soil, species mix and long-term goals.
Why Ongoing Meadow Management Matters
Wildflower meadows are dynamic ecosystems, and without proper care, they can quickly become dominated by aggressive grasses, invasive species, or thatch buildup. Thoughtful, low-intervention management helps maintain the delicate balance between diversity, colour and ecological value.
Our Wildflower Meadow Management Services Include:
Annual Meadow Mowing
- Timed cuts tailored to your species mix and flowering cycles (typically late July to early September)
- Mechanical or scythe cutting depending on access and scale
- Removal of cuttings to reduce soil fertility and promote diversity
Invasive Weed Control
Targeted spot treatments and manual removal of dominant or undesirable species
Advice on adjusting mowing or overseeding to naturally suppress unwanted growth
Overseeding & Biodiversity Boosting
Reintroduction of underperforming or missing wildflower species
Seasonal plug planting for visual interest and ecological function
Soil monitoring and reseeding strategies to fill gaps and enhance coverage
Wildlife & Habitat Monitoring
- Observational tracking of pollinators and meadow usage
- Adjustments to management plan based on insect or bird activity
- Integration with adjacent planting or rewilding zones
Serving All of Surrey
From private gardens and estates to ecological developments, schools, and business grounds, we manage wildflower meadows across Guildford, Dorking, Reigate, Haslemere, and surrounding Surrey villages.
Work With Experts Who Understand Meadow Ecology
Specialists in native British wildflowers
Seasonally adaptive management plans
Sensitive techniques that preserve and enhance natural structure
Honest advice, responsive support, and a passion for place-based design
As accredited installers of Wildflower turf products we have the expertise to establish and cut a productive and eye catching wildflower meadow.
This can be on the ground, or on our countless wasted roof spaces. Wildflower installation will also save you a lot of money in the long run and free you or your gardener up in the garden.
Wildlife ponds and Wetland Management in Surrey
Designing, restoring and maintaining living water landscapes
At Wild by Design, we believe water brings a landscape to life. Our wildlife pond and wetland management services in Surrey focus on creating and nurturing aquatic habitats that are as beautiful as they are ecologically valuable.
Whether you’re developing a new pond or revitalising an old one, we bring together ecological insight and creative landscape design to deliver water features that support biodiversity, attract wildlife, and integrate harmoniously into your surroundings.
Our Wildlife Pond & Wetland Services
1. Pond Design & Installation
Tailored designs to suit gardens, estates, schools or conservation spaces
Naturalistic shapes and margins for wildlife access and plant diversity
Lined or clay-based ponds with native planting and sculptural stone edging
Features such as dipping platforms, rock shelves, and shallow wildlife zones
2. Pond Restoration & Silt Removal
Desilting and reshaping to restore depth, oxygen levels, and habitat function
Management of nutrient levels and invasive aquatic species
Bank repair, planting refresh, and overflow/stormwater adjustments
3. Wetland Habitat Creation
Construction of ephemeral ponds, bog gardens, scrapes and reedbeds
Suitable for flood control, habitat corridors, and biodiversity enhancement
Designed to support amphibians, dragonflies, wetland birds and pollinators
4. Seasonal Pond & Wetland Maintenance
Selective vegetation cutting and clearance
Invasive plant management (e.g. bulrush, duckweed, blanketweed)
Marginal and aquatic replanting using native, pollinator-friendly species
Water quality testing and long-term ecosystem health plans
Why Choose Wild by Design?
Ecological landscaping experts with a passion for wetland environments
Designs that blend aesthetics with habitat value
Practical knowledge of local species, water table challenges, and soils
Serving Surrey, West Sussex, Kent, and surrounding South East regions
Trusted by private clients, schools, councils and estate managers
Featured Projects
HAVE A PROJECT IN MIND?
For all inquiries please email info@wildby.design or use the form on our contact page
