National law firm Mills & Reeve has renewed its partnership with Yorkshire-based Make it Wild, building on a relationship that began in 2025 as part of the firm's 'Achieving more for nature's recovery' initiative.

Make it Wild is an organisation that helps businesses support the planet through rewilding and habitat creation. Established in 2017, it manages eleven nature reserves across North Yorkshire, along with another eight sites elsewhere in the UK in conjunction with the landowner.

In the first year of the relationship, Mills & Reeve supported a baseline invertebrate survey at Make it Wild's Smelthouses nature reserve, to build a clear picture of the species present and inform future conservation work. Staff from the firm's Leeds office followed that up with a day on site, digging two wildlife ponds to create much-needed wetland habitat. The firm also planted 209 trees, laying the foundations for the ancient woodlands of the future, and sponsored both a beehive and Millie the Royal Golden Guernsey goat.

The coming year will see the partnership deepen further. A tree survey of the ancient woodland will guide a series of interventions designed to enhance habitat for a broad range of invertebrates. Teams from Mills & Reeve will work with Make it Wild to build new invertebrate habitat earth banks, plant more trees and manage invasive species. Activity will also include the creation of a woodland glade and enhancements to the meadow around the recently established ponds.

John Burgess, Partnership Manager at Make it Wild, said: "It's fantastic to continue our relationship with Mills & Reeve, as they genuinely share our commitment to nature and we have developed some fantastic plans for the year ahead. The firm is making a real difference in supporting our efforts to restore damaged habitats and make them better for wildlife. Healthy ecosystems are essential for our food, water and air, and Mills & Reeve clearly recognise the positive impact they can have by building nature into their business."

Jessica Wilkes-Ball, Head of Sustainability & Net Zero at Mills & Reeve, added: "Supporting nature's recovery is central to our wider sustainability and net zero commitments, and our work with Make it Wild brings those ambitions to life in a tangible, local way. We are determined to leave the environment in a better state than we found it and are proud of what we achieved with Make it Wild in our first year. We’re now looking forward to building on those foundations with an even more ambitious programme for the year ahead."