You might have heard the term ‘rewilding’ but what does it mean?
Well the answer is not necessarily obvious as rewilding can be applied to a whole range of different nature projects. Summarised, rewilding is all about returning nature to its uncultivated state so what it can take care of itself. How this is done can be broken down into two categories.
‘Passive rewilding’ involves human’s taking a hands-off approach, perhaps that could be simply removing a fence in the back garden to let animals roam freely.
‘Active rewilding’ on the other hand is where humans take a proactive role in reintroducing species and rebuilding habitats.
In Ealing, London a notable example of active rewilding is taking place right now.
Beavers making a home in Paradise Fields. CREDIT: ELLIOT MCCANDLESS
In October 2023 a family of five beavers was reintroduced to Paradise Fields after a 400-year absence for the animal in London.
Dr. Sean McCormack, chair of the Ealing Wildlife Group, was central in bringing the beavers back to Ealing that beavers create new habitats for other species through their dam-building activities, which also help prevent flooding.
“We are already seeing the beavers having a massive effect here, they have stopped flooding on upper river catchments and have created new pond life for other species”.
Dr Sean McCormack, chair of Ealing Wildlife Project. CREDIT: RUFUS JONES
The positive reception for the beaver project can be seen through the ‘Beaver Tours’ put on by Citizen Zoo. These safaris around the habitat are designed to educate locals on all things beaver.
“It’s about creating massive connectivity”
To the east of London in Hackney, smaller scale active rewilding is also taking place. Ecologists and volunteers here are creating hundreds of habitats for insects and amphibians that have been all but wiped out by urban development over the years.
Bee Towers have been introduced across Hackney Downs. CREDIT: RUFUS JONES
Ecologist Ian Phillips has led the creation of ponds, log piles, and ‘bee towers’ to support these smaller species. Ian fully believes in the principles of active rewilding in his local area.
“It isn’t about just protecting the species that are still here and bringing back the ones that are lost. It’s also about massive connectivity.”
“I’m doing what I can in my own backyard if you like, in my local area I can make a massive change.”
Ecologist Ian Phillips in Hackney Downs. CREDIT: RUFUS JONES
“I’m interfering to put right other interference”
These projects aim to establish green corridors, allowing species like newts and shrews to thrive. Ian realises that some might see active rewilding as human’s being too involved in nature, but feels such criticisms are unjustified.
“You do get criticised for interfering in nature, but the way I see it is that I’m interfering to put right other interference.”
Reaction to active rewilding has not been as positively received outside of London.
“The eagles are hunting lambs”
The reintroduction of sea eagles to the Isle of Wight in 2019 was intended to revive the species. However, the move led to some unintended consequences. Most serious among them was that the eagles began hunting livestock, which for shepherdess of the island Sian Grove, was a major problem.
“The sea eagles were hunting lambs and caused so many problems for those of us who take care of the sheep here.”
Isle of Wight shepardess Sian Grove. Credit – Rufus Jones
Despite the issues around the eagle’s reintroduction, wildlife groups are considering reintroducing beavers to the Isle of Wight an idea farmer like Sian are extremely sceptical of.
“We manage the land in our own way and if that land floods as a result of a beaver dam then they’ve taken that land out of production.”
Despite these quite dramatic consequences to active rewilding, support for projects in London at least is strong. So much so that London mayor Sadiq Khan has recently green lit 21 new rewilding projects. Meaning that the capital might see a return to a wilder landscape along a restoration journey .
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HeadlineIs London returning to a wilder future?
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StandfirstAs beavers make their long awaited return to London rivers, what other species are coming back to the city.
You might have heard the term ‘rewilding’ but what does it mean?
Well the answer is not necessarily obvious as rewilding can be applied to a whole range of different nature projects. Summarised, rewilding is all about returning nature to its uncultivated state so what it can take care of itself. How this is done can be broken down into two categories.
‘Passive rewilding’ involves human’s taking a hands-off approach, perhaps that could be simply removing a fence in the back garden to let animals roam freely.
‘Active rewilding’ on the other hand is where humans take a proactive role in reintroducing species and rebuilding habitats.
In Ealing, London a notable example of active rewilding is taking place right now.
Beavers making a home in Paradise Fields. CREDIT: ELLIOT MCCANDLESS
In October 2023 a family of five beavers was reintroduced to Paradise Fields after a 400-year absence for the animal in London.
Dr. Sean McCormack, chair of the Ealing Wildlife Group, was central in bringing the beavers back to Ealing that beavers create new habitats for other species through their dam-building activities, which also help prevent flooding.
“We are already seeing the beavers having a massive effect here, they have stopped flooding on upper river catchments and have created new pond life for other species”.
Dr Sean McCormack, chair of Ealing Wildlife Project. CREDIT: RUFUS JONES
The positive reception for the beaver project can be seen through the ‘Beaver Tours’ put on by Citizen Zoo. These safaris around the habitat are designed to educate locals on all things beaver.
“It’s about creating massive connectivity”
To the east of London in Hackney, smaller scale active rewilding is also taking place. Ecologists and volunteers here are creating hundreds of habitats for insects and amphibians that have been all but wiped out by urban development over the years.
Bee Towers have been introduced across Hackney Downs. CREDIT: RUFUS JONES
Ecologist Ian Phillips has led the creation of ponds, log piles, and ‘bee towers’ to support these smaller species. Ian fully believes in the principles of active rewilding in his local area.
“It isn’t about just protecting the species that are still here and bringing back the ones that are lost. It’s also about massive connectivity.”
“I’m doing what I can in my own backyard if you like, in my local area I can make a massive change.”
Ecologist Ian Phillips in Hackney Downs. CREDIT: RUFUS JONES
“I’m interfering to put right other interference”
These projects aim to establish green corridors, allowing species like newts and shrews to thrive. Ian realises that some might see active rewilding as human’s being too involved in nature, but feels such criticisms are unjustified.
“You do get criticised for interfering in nature, but the way I see it is that I’m interfering to put right other interference.”
Reaction to active rewilding has not been as positively received outside of London.
“The eagles are hunting lambs”
The reintroduction of sea eagles to the Isle of Wight in 2019 was intended to revive the species. However, the move led to some unintended consequences. Most serious among them was that the eagles began hunting livestock, which for shepherdess of the island Sian Grove, was a major problem.
“The sea eagles were hunting lambs and caused so many problems for those of us who take care of the sheep here.”
Isle of Wight shepardess Sian Grove. Credit – Rufus Jones
Despite the issues around the eagle’s reintroduction, wildlife groups are considering reintroducing beavers to the Isle of Wight an idea farmer like Sian are extremely sceptical of.
“We manage the land in our own way and if that land floods as a result of a beaver dam then they’ve taken that land out of production.”
Despite these quite dramatic consequences to active rewilding, support for projects in London at least is strong. So much so that London mayor Sadiq Khan has recently green lit 21 new rewilding projects. Meaning that the capital might see a return to a wilder landscape along a restoration journey .
