In Conversation with Dominic Buscall
Professor David Hill recently enjoyed a conversation with Dominic Buscall, who manages the beautiful Wild Ken Hill estate in North Norfolk.
In this interview, they delve into Dom’s unique career path, his passion for the environment, and the innovative approaches being implemented at Wild Ken Hill.
How did your career lead you to manage Wild Ken Hill?
I grew up in Norfolk but started my career in management consulting. I worked in places like Sydney, Tokyo, and Mumbai, helping companies develop strategies and acquire others. After about five years, I needed a break and spent time on the farm. I got hooked and decided to dive into managing the estate full-time.
It's fantastic that you transitioned into this at such a young age. What sparked your interest in the natural environment?
Climate change has always been a concern for me. Even as a teenager, I found it appalling. The injustice of it all, where those least responsible suffer the most, really bothered me. In my mid-twenties, I realised that land managers like us could play a significant role in addressing climate change and the biodiversity crisis. That's when I decided to get involved.
Your background in management consulting must be valuable in this work. What shaped the development of Wild Ken Hill, and how did the concept evolve?
It was a combination of factors. We had a long-standing estate manager retire, and his replacement, Nick Patrick, is very innovative. Around the same time, I left my job and returned to the farm. We faced two challenges: the environmental crisis and the commercial reality of declining farm profitability. Our response was to change how we manage the land. We integrated rewilding, traditional conservation, and regenerative farming into a coherent and scalable model.
How did you decide to combine rewilding with regenerative farming?
The idea for both developed simultaneously. Nick wanted to try a new approach to farming, and I suggested rewilding part of the land. We aimed to create a diverse landscape, doing the right thing in the right place. This approach allowed us to engage and educate people effectively.
It's impressive how quickly you implemented these changes. What has been the greatest achievement at Wild Ken Hill to date?
It's hard to pick one thing, but taking the farm to net zero and beyond in three years stands out. We reduced our input costs and emissions while increasing soil carbon sequestration. We're now sequestering around 4,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per annum, well beyond net zero.
Are you seeing interest from other farmers in your approach?
Yes, there's definitely a growing interest. More farmers are attending events like the regenerative agricultural festival Groundswell, showing a willingness to explore sustainable practices. We're not just dabbling; we're fully committed to a robust version of regenerative farming, and we're seeing more adoption in the arable space.
The interconnectedness of rewilding and regenerative agriculture creates a fascinating mosaic. Who or what has been a significant influence in your work?
The Knepp Estate in Sussex has been incredibly influential. They demonstrated that rewilding works, breaking down barriers and enabling us to get started quickly. Abroad, there are also inspiring examples of soil science and large-scale projects.
Do you see a role for biodiversity credits or voluntary payments in the future?
Absolutely. We've participated in the statutory biodiversity market and are exploring private funding opportunities. We're part of a Landscape Recovery Project pilot, looking at how to secure funding for ecological changes. The potential for significant ecological impact is exciting.
It's encouraging to see corporates increasingly interested in their impact on nature. How do you stay positive amid the challenges of climate change?
It's tough, but focusing on tangible, positive impacts helps. Accepting that some negative impacts are inevitable while still working on mitigation keeps me motivated. There's still a lot we can do.
Staying optimistic is crucial. Any final thoughts you'd like to share about Wild Ken Hill?
Just that I'm incredibly proud of our team and the nature we're bringing back. We're showing that sustainable land management is not only possible but essential for the future.