Nissan Rewilding Project Transforms Marshland into Thriving Wildlife Habitat

  • Nissan Sunderland Plant revitalises marshland into a flourishing habitat for diverse wildlife.
  • Project carried out alongside solar farm development, showcasing a holistic approach to sustainability.
  • Wildlife sightings include bats, birds of prey, badgers, deer, and water voles, alongside vibrant flora growth.

The Nissan Sunderland Plant is now home to an unexpected array of wildlife, thanks to a rewilding project that has transformed previously uninhabited marshland into a haven for biodiversity.

The rewilding initiative, part of the site’s recent solar farm development, has attracted species such as water voles, amphibians, bats, badgers, and breeding birds of prey, adding a natural balance to the industrial hub.

Andy Barker, Engineering Manager at Nissan Sunderland Plant, praised the project’s success:
"Sustainability is at the heart of what we do, and it’s incredible to see how wildlife has flourished in this revitalised area. From our wind farm established 20 years ago to our solar farm today, this effort showcases our ongoing commitment to creating harmony between industry and nature."

The year-long rewilding project was executed in collaboration with Atrato Partners Ltd, focusing on restoring native habitats and enhancing biodiversity. Key efforts included removing invasive shrubs, revitalising wetlands, adding ponds, and constructing a wildlife viewing hide.

Wildlife and Plant Highlights:

  • Animals spotted: Owls, herring gulls, buzzards, kestrels, badgers, deer, bats, and great crested newts.
  • Flourishing flora: Bee orchids, white clover, cowslips, and garden lupin now thrive in the revitalized area.

Andy added:
"By integrating renewable energy and biodiversity, we’ve created a space where wildlife and sustainable innovation coexist. The second solar farm allowed us to enhance the marshland further, adding both ecological and energy value."

Sustainability Milestones at Nissan Sunderland Plant:

  • Wind and solar farms now provide 20% of the plant’s electricity from renewable sources.
  • The site forms a core part of Nissan’s EV36Zero blueprint, an ambitious plan to establish Sunderland as a flagship EV hub with renewable energy, battery production, and electric vehicles at its centre.

Under its global Ambition 2030 strategy, Nissan aims to become a fully sustainable company, working towards carbon neutrality across its products’ life cycle by 2050.

For more on Nissan’s sustainability initiatives and projects, visit nissan.co.uk.