How Foundation IT and Make It Wild are restoring nature together
- Feb 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 8
At Foundation IT, sustainability isn’t just a topic for discussion; it’s a commitment we actively uphold. Our joint ownership of 79 acres at Low Wood, Smelthouses, shared with conservation experts Make It Wild, represents one of our most significant pledges to protect and restore the natural world.
This rewilding project is central to our long-term vision. We aim to use 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 at Smelthouses provides our first true scientific benchmark for the land’s condition. It identified:
507 invertebrate species
9 species of conservation concern
Habitats forming across woodland floors, marshy areas, and tall scrub
These findings confirm that the land, once improved farmland, possesses the early ingredients of a thriving, biodiverse ecosystem. Crucially, this survey ensures that our future actions are guided by measurable ecological data.
What’s on the Site Today
The survey and ongoing observations reveal that Smelthouses contains a blend of rich, regenerating habitats:
Modified and upland oak woodland
Rush pasture
Acid grassland
Together, these habitats 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 rooted in shared values: restoring habitats, increasing biodiversity, and encouraging appreciation for 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 collaboration is grounded 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 will support more specialist species, strengthen food webs, and create a more resilient natural landscape. This is the kind of impact we want this project to have.
Long-Term Monitoring for Lasting Change
Rewilding is a marathon, not a sprint. Make It Wild recommends monitoring Smelthouses for up to 30 years. This ensures every ecological shift is understood and informs future decisions.
This long-term approach will allow us to track:
Biodiversity gains
Habitat evolution
Soil health
Ecological resilience
It provides the data we need to keep improving.
Why This Matters
Rewilding Smelthouses offers 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 illustrate 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 document the journey through photography, film, and regular updates. Content will showcase:
The “before” state of the land
The natural processes of rewilding
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, habitats strengthen, and new data guides our next steps, we’ll continue to share and celebrate every milestone.
This project embodies our belief that technology companies can and should take responsibility for their environmental impact. 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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