How Foundation IT and Make It Wild are restoring nature together
- Feb 12
- 3 min read
At Foundation IT, sustainability isn’t something we talk about, it’s something we do. Our joint ownership of 79 acres at Low Wood, Smelthouses, shared with conservation experts Make It Wild, represents one of the most meaningful commitments we’ve ever made to protecting and restoring the natural world.
This re‑wilding project forms a core part of our long‑term vision: using our success in sustainable IT to give back to nature, rebuild ecosystems, and inspire others to take climate‑positive action.
A Landscape Ready to Recover
The 2025 invertebrate baseline survey carried out at Smelthouses gives us our first true scientific benchmark for the land’s condition. It identified:
507 invertebrate species recorded, including
9 species of conservation concern,
with habitats already forming across woodland floors, marshy areas, and tall scrub.
These findings confirm that the land, once improved farmland, already has the early ingredients of a thriving, biodiverse ecosystem. And crucially, this survey ensures that everything we do from here is guided by measurable ecological data.
What’s on the Site Today
The survey and ongoing observations show that Smelthouses contains a blend of rich, regenerating habitats:
Modified and upland oak woodland
Rush pasture
Acid grassland
Combined, these provide food, shelter, and breeding areas that support the wider food web, from pollinators to birds, bats, and small mammals.
A Partnership With Purpose
Our collaboration with Make It Wild is built on shared values: restoring habitats, increasing biodiversity, and encouraging others to appreciate the value of the natural world. Make It Wild’s ethos is clear; support biodiversity first, and inspire people to love nature second.
Together, we’ve committed to:
Long‑term ecological stewardship, guided by ecologists and conservation frameworks.
Transparent monitoring to show how the land evolves.
Client and partner involvement, creating opportunities for research and community engagement.
This is a collaboration rooted in action, not just intention.
Management Recommendations: How We’re Improving Biodiversity
Based on ecological guidance and survey results, several key actions will shape the site’s recovery:
Shift woodland planting to favour native, specialist species
Improve wet grassland and hedgerow diversity
Retain dead wood and create shaded areas
Build ponds and wet habitats for invertebrates
Install scrub and bracken controls
These steps help support more specialist species, strengthen food webs, and create a more resilient natural landscape, exactly the kind of impact we want this project to have.
Long‑Term Monitoring for Lasting Change
Re‑wilding is a marathon, not a sprint.
Make It Wild recommends monitoring Smelthouses for up to 30 years, ensuring every ecological shift is understood and used to inform future decisions.
This long‑term approach will allow us to track:
Biodiversity gains
Habitat evolution
Soil health
Ecological resilience
And it gives us the data we need to keep improving.
Why This Matters
Re‑wilding Smelthouses gives us:
A strong scientific baseline for ecological recovery
A real‑world demonstration of climate‑positive action
A richer, more vibrant ecosystem that supports diverse wildlife
An opportunity to give back to nature in a meaningful, measurable way
It's also a powerful way to show what sustainable business can look like; where digital innovation and environmental stewardship go hand‑in‑hand.
Sharing the Journey
As the land continues to recover, our team will be documenting the journey through photography, film, and regular updates. Content will showcase:
The “before” state of the land
The natural processes of re‑wilding
The return of wildlife
Seasonal changes
This storytelling is part of our wider sustainability communications programme designed to inspire our clients, partners, and community.
Looking Ahead
We’re only at the beginning, but already, Smelthouses is proving what’s possible when you give land the chance to heal. As more wildlife returns, as habitats strengthen, and as new data guides our next steps, we’ll continue to share and celebrate every milestone.
This project represents our belief that technology companies can and should take responsibility for their environmental impact. And with Make It Wild by our side, we’re helping to create a landscape that future generations will thank us for.
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