Welcoming back the wild
In 1975 it was sea eagles. In 1996 it was ospreys. And in 2002 it was beavers. Over the years, a range of animals have made a comeback across the UK. This year, it was the turn of the bison.
6,000 years after being driven out of the country, the bison is back. More specifically, four of these gentle giants were reintroduced to the Kent countryside in spring this year, with the hope they will do what they do best: rearrange the landscape in a way that fast-tracks the return of natural biodiversity.
Rewilding has been one of the biggest environmental success stories of recent years. Whether it’s reintroducing species, planting wild woodland, or creating nature reserves, the emphasis is on leaving nature to take care of itself.
But rewilding isn’t just limited to rural areas, it could also be just what our cities need.
According to a new report by international conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London), city rewilding could help protect us from the worst impacts of climate change.
Spaces such as gardens, parks, cemeteries, waterways, and railways are prime for rewilding. And if done at scale, could help improve climate change mitigation and adaption, reduce disaster risk and pollution levels, and slow biodiversity loss.
By improving the resilience of our cities and landscapes, we create a more robust environment for both wildlife and society.