Knepp Estate founder Isabella Tree given Sussex Uni honorary degree

Isabella Tree, one of the minds behind the Knepp Wildland, said she hoped that University of Sussex students who had worked at the estate had been “inspired and galvanised” by their work as they graduated and headed out into the world of work.

It comes as she was awarded her own honorary degree, recognising her contribution to over two decades worth of rewilding on the Sussex estate which has seen storks, beavers and other rare species return to the land.

Isabella, 60, said: “It’s definitely a case of imposter syndrome. I’m not a scientist but it is a massive honour.

“None of us expected what has happened at Knepp it has been off the Richter scale. It has astonished everybody and that is the wonderful hope of our story.

Isabella Tree, centre, receiving her honorary doctorate (Image: University of Sussex)

“Nature will come back and surprise you in the most unlikely areas and become a biodiversity hotspot.

“The rareness and abundance of species that have come back have astonished everyone.

“There are enormous challenges ahead and a lot of that is in understanding to communicate what you have learnt at university.

“There’s a danger in this digital world to get enclosed in our bubbles. We need to keep those communication channels open – that is the challenge but also the excitement.”

Isabella and her husband, Sir Charles Burrell, started the Knepp rewilding project in 2002 and have since gone on to create a biodiversity hotspot on the estate with storks, beavers and rare butterflies now thriving in the area, among other species.

She has since written the acclaimed book Wilding based on the project which has recently been turned into a film.

Isabella told The Argus that the work of University of Sussex students had been crucial in delivering the scientific data to back up what they had seen on the estate – that rewilding and letting the area grow has helped nature to heal.

She said: “I hope it’s rewarding for the students. You can actually feel nature rebounding and it is good for the soul and good for their ambition.

“I hope that their time at Knepp has been inspiring and galvanising.

“Rewilding can help to solve the climate problem and this is huge important stuff.

“For science students there has never been a better time. The planet needs them and there is now money out there for them to go out there and measure the biodiversity across the planet.”

Students at the University of Sussex have been undertaking research projects at the estate including counting dung beetles and monitoring the grazing rates of cattle.

Accepting her honorary science doctorate, Isabella joined thousands of students graduating from the University of Sussex this week.

Vice-chancellor Professor Sasha Roseneil said: “Many of our undergraduate, Masters and PhD students have engaged with projects at the Knepp Estate and so we are delighted to be awarding Isabella Tree an honorary degree this year, recognising both the outstanding contributions she has made to the environmental regeneration of our region, as well as supporting the research endeavours of our staff and students.”