Underhill Wood Nature Reserve

Jonathan Thomson is a conservationist, rewilder and steward of the Underhill Wood Nature Reserve, UK. From growing up on a small dairy farm in rural New Zealand between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the marine and terrestrial natural world always played an important part in his life. In 2014, seeing the need to protect, conserve and restore threatened native fauna and flora grow more urgent, he and his wife bought 16 acres of undulating clay land on the Wiltshire / Dorset border. Their aim is to restore biodiversity and to provide a space for people to learn about nature.

This story was produced for the inaugural print edition of The Beautiful Truth Magazine.

A man standing on a dock by a pond, surrounded by green grass and trees, with a large tree in the background and a blue sky with some clouds.
An older man with gray hair and blue eyes, wearing a red and brown fleece jacket, standing outdoors in a green forest, with binoculars hanging from his neck.
A green sign with white text that reads "Underhill Wood Nature Reserve" located among tall grass in a sunny woodland area. Green trees with dense leaves are in the background.
People standing and walking in a grassy area outside a wooden building surrounded by trees, with some individuals engaged in conversation and others observing the surroundings.
A small black and red butterfly perched on a person's finger.
Two damselflies mating on a green grass stalk in a lush green field.
A person with a hat sitting in a blue paddle boat on a calm river surrounded by green trees and tall grass, with clear blue sky above.
Barn Owl Nesting Box in Large Broad Leaf Tree
Close-Up Barn Owl Pellets Rodent Skull
Close-up of baby birds hatching in a nest made of twigs and grass, with their beaks open and eyes visible.
Two young women harvesting apples in an orchard, one holding pruning shears and the other inspecting the fruit on the tree.
A person wearing green work pants and brown work boots, standing on a dirt floor, is building a wooden structure using a green wooden plank, with a chainsaw placed on the ground nearby.
Three people working together in a garage workshop. An older man and two younger individuals are focused on a project involving a wooden frame. The garage has shelves with various tools and supplies, and red fire extinguishers are visible in the background.
Two people are installing a wooden post in a grassy outdoor area, with trees and a blue sky with clouds in the background.
Jonathan Thomson Teaching John Muir Nature Award, Underhill Wood Nature Reserve
Older man standing in a lush green forest, holding binoculars and looking up.
A wooden birdhouse with a thatched roof on stilts, set against lush green trees and grass.
High close-up view of tree branches with green leaves and textured bark, with a bright sky in the background.
A man crouched next to a tree in a forest, holding a trail camera mounted on the trunk, with green leaves and grass surrounding him.
A group of people, including children and an older man, sitting around a wooden table in a rustic room with brick walls, attending a meeting or class. A monitor showing a black-and-white image of nature, a whiteboard, mugs, and other items are on the table.
A peaceful scene of trees near a small body of water with reflections, a boat on the shore, and a partly cloudy sky.
Close-up of a man with blue eyes wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a light gray athletic shirt, standing outdoors.
A man with gray hair looking up in a lush green forest.