Rewilding Network reaches 1,000 members

Back in 2021 when we launched the Rewilding Network as a space for rewilders to come together, share ideas and knowledge, and provide support, ​‘rewilding’ was in a very different place. Many were quick to label the innovative new approach to nature recovery as a new ​‘fad’, something for hobbyists or – worse still – a movement that doesn’t have a place in Britain. And indeed many still do.

That’s why we wanted to be able to support this small group of dedicated landowners, land managers, project managers, ecologists, graziers and more wanting to try something new. For it can be hard to be ​‘the first’, and we knew it was vital to not only showcase their amazing work, but support these individuals too. 

A lot has changed in four short years, and today the Rewilding Network community boasts 1,000 members! These pioneering projects are rewilding across Britain’s three nations at all scales, from smallholdings through to large landscape scale approaches. More than 250 of these Network members are rewilding upwards of 40ha of land, ranging from Wild Ken Hill in the east – featured regularly on BBC Springwatch – to the Wales Native Oyster Restoration Project in the west. And from Dundreggan in Scotland’s Highlands right down to Wilder Nunwell on the Isle of Wight. 

We’ve now been able to welcome marine rewilding projects into the Network too, from seagrass restoration through to whole seascape scale change. A whole matrix of local networks is taking shape at the county level as well, bringing together landowners and those in the wider community who want to get involved in rewilding but don’t own land themselves. 

In my time working alongside these members I can truly say that rewilding is full of passionate and determined people from all backgrounds. I’ve seen individuals give so much of their time to pooling knowledge, openly sharing what has worked and what hasn’t, hosting special interest groups and setting up new businesses, education and wellbeing programmes. 

When we launched the Network there were few policies truly supporting rewilding in Britain. Today, in the wake of the Common Agricultural Policy, many of the emerging agricultural schemes are starting to do so, including the Landscape Recovery and Countryside Stewardship in England, and nature recovery and natural flood management schemes across Britain. These new schemes are showcasing how we can scale up rewilding, supporting both nature recovery and nature friendly farming within a landscape mosaic. Having the opportunity to work closely with Network members to really understand where they’re still coming up against legislative and financial challenges has been vital in giving us the language and data to push government to do more to unlock rewilding across Britain. 

With so many professionals involved in rewilding today, I think we can safely say that rewilding can no longer be considered as just a ​‘fad’. Thanks to the incredible work being done by the Network we’re now able to demonstrate that it’s a credible form of land use in areas where the potential for food production is low, and has the potential to accelerate nature recovery, helping meet crucial nature and climate targets – as well as delivering a cascade of benefits for people and local communities. Together we are all still learning so much about the complexity of natural processes, and a big part of our mission is to capture these surprises and successes to tell the story of rewilding to others. 

Today Britain really does have an amazing community of rewilding trailblazers and innovators in the Rewilding Network. It’s such a privilege to be able to work with individuals so dedicated to the rewilding journey and to see the inspiring work being undertaken. Of course, we still have a long way to go; 181,128ha land and 506 km² of marine rewilding may sound a lot, yet it’s far from our 30% target. But reaching this 1,000-member milestone is an important time to take stock and celebrate that the rewilding movement truly is building. I, for one, cannot wait to see where it goes next!