Since the foundation of the Vindolanda Trust in 1970, we have been invested in preserving our heritage and environment. This has helped us to become more environmentally friendly and to continually explore ways to protect the land we hold in our care. We have always advocated for the protection of local wildlife and native species which we are fortunate to have within our ownership. The care of our collections and archaeological sites means that we are always seeking products and practices that are environmentally safe to use.

As a not-for-profit charity, our core aim is preservation, and regenerative tourism is a natural extension of this ethos. We believe that visiting our sites should not only safeguard the past but also actively contribute to the renewal of our landscapes, ecosystems, and communities. By encouraging responsible engagement, we strive to ensure that tourism here leaves a positive legacy, restoring and enhancing the environment for future generations.

Education has always been at the forefront of what we do, and sharing messages about the protection of our heritage for the future also encompasses the protection and regeneration of our natural environment.

In 2009, the Trust received funding to redevelop its museums, access to the archaeological site and the redevelopment of a nineteenth-century coach house near the museum into the Hedley Centre for our volunteers. This Centre has accommodation for eight people as well as a full kitchen, common room, and conference facilities. The building was taken back to its roots, and we were able to put numerous eco-friendly measures into the building including air source heat pumps, grey water recycling and extensive insulation. This restoration is now the most eco friendly building on our property and was rated very good by BREAM upon opening in 2011.

We installed LED lights into the museums where possible. These are better for the objects, the environment and of course, have saved money on electricity. Solar panels were also installed at both museums in 2011 and an air source heat pump was installed at The Roman army Museum at the same time.

In 2020, the Robin Birley Archaeological Centre arrived on the Vindolanda site. Manufactured by the Oxfordshire based Green Unit, the ARCII is a modular building and has a stunning, curved design that mimics organic forms found in nature. The building consists of five pods – each one being custom modified to give the Trust a building which is fit for purpose. In addition to being a base for volunteers during the excavation season, the new facility has an office space and the main room is where the post-excavation processing of bulk finds takes place. The new centre is stylish, eco-friendly modular ARC building which offers the perfect level of comfort and space with minimal carbon impact and features green roofs that support biodiversity. The eco-buildings are designed around 'fabric first' and Passivhaus principles and are built from mostly natural, low impact materials to offer high performance, insulation, airtightness, and sustainability.

2021 saw continued successes in our green journey. In September, the Trust was awarded Our Green Tourism Award for both sites at the silver level, a great achievement for our first submission.  Our vehicles are all fully electric or hybrid and this includes our gras cutting equipment such was the ride on lawnmowers and tools. 

In 2023 we were proud to install the first carbon neutral solar e-bike charging station on Hadrian's Wall. 

Climate change and its effects on the environment also have a great impact on the archaeological preservation of the remains owned and protected by the Vindolanda Trust. Environmental monitoring projects have been integrated into many of our research programmes.

The most recent impact of environmental changes is evident at Magna, a currently unexcavated Roman site next to the Roman Army Museum.  Our Revealing Magna project has helped to raise awareness of global warming on archaeological remains and we are working on funding applications and research programmes to save the site from possible devastating damage due to the changing environment. Like our plans to excavate at Magna, some other eco-friendly plans must wait to find funding to progress.

Our road to a sustainable future at the Vindolanda Trust is an ongoing process and we will continue to champion our regenerative ethos.