TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham has called on the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Church of England to “practise what they preach” by rewilding 30 per cent of their 105,000-acre landholdings by 2030.
Dressed in medieval attire and a "rewilded" bonnet, Packham made his plea on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral, unveiling a nine-metre scroll outlining the case for the Church to take environmental action.
He said: “Despite the Archbishop recently stating that ‘God is green, and He calls on us to be green’, the majority of the Church Commissioners’ land is in a dire ecological condition. As one of the biggest institutional landowners in one of the world’s most nature depleted countries, the Church should be a leader in restoring our precious wildlife.
“The Archbishop and the Church Commissioners, including the Bishop of the Environment, have declined our many attempts to discuss how they can rewild their vast estate. We hope the immense support on display today, which is championed by many in the Church, will help to convince Church leaders to step up to the pulpit."
Packham further argued that if the Church rewilded even a third of its land, it could create an area 90 times the size of Hyde Park, providing much-needed refuge for British wildlife.
The campaign, known as the "95 Wild Theses," echoes Martin Luther's historic protest and has attracted support from notable figures, including former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams, broadcaster Stephen Fry, and environmental campaigner Caroline Lucas.
Paul Jaffe, head of sustainability, real assets for the Church Commissioners, said: “While large-scale rewilding is not appropriate for our highly productive farmland, we are deeply committed to supporting nature through a range of initiatives.
“We focus on sustainable farming practices, collaborate with organisations like the RSPB and FWAG, and actively integrate biodiversity projects, such as woodland creation and wetland restoration, across our portfolio.
“Our approach ensures we balance food production with stewardship of the land, helping to safeguard nature for future generations.”
The Church Commissioners also pledged to adopt sustainable farming, working with tenants and green groups to promote regenerative practices and support biodiversity.