Rewilding: The Radical New Science of Ecological Recovery: 14 (Hot Science)

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When Isabella Tree and her husband Charlie Burrell realised that it was not economically feasible to continue their farming of land in Knepp, West Sussex, they made a bold and radical decision: they decided to step away from the land and watch as nature took over. This book describes the almost twenty years of that project/experiment. The results are staggering and challenge some fundamental assumptions that often guide even the most well-meaning of conservation or ecological decisions. The acclaimed TV forager and adventurer brings British woodlands to life in this romp through the native trees of our green and pleasant land. It’s a great reference for those interested in restoring a biodiverse rural landscape. I would highly recommend both books for these reasons. Wilding is great for providing inspiration and hope around the dynamic changes that take place when humans remove themselves, or considerably reduce their involvement, in land management and let nature have its way. Rewidling opens up the much wider opportunities that exist across the world to transform what we think of as the natural environment, but which is really just a shadow of what once was, before we started impacting it. While it’s a great book, which stands on its own merits, it’s also ideal for getting skeptics interested in the concepts behind rewilding.

If you’re seeking an insight into the daily grind of conservation work, this book may be for you; but to better understand the rewilding debate, look elsewhere. It's always interesting talking to people about rewilding. Should we, as people, interfere with nature anymore than we've already done? Can we ever make things right again? I am not so sure if we can, but I hold some hope. There’s no shortage of opinion in this book, but it’s always supported by facts and figures, and Ben is more inclusive in his suggestions for farming reform than other rewilders. The book can be poetic at times and some may struggle with the dense content – for those, I strongly recommend the Audible version, which is well-performed, and perhaps my favourite audiobook of them all! What I find exciting about rewilding, apart from the opportunities for resurrection in our natural world, is the way that it changes the way that we think about the world around us. For example, one criticism of rewilding is that it can lead to de-domesticated fauna dying in their environment, such as cattle dying from the cold, in ways that are considered inhumane and should not be allowed. This highlights both our arrogant relationship with nature and also our hypocrisy given the many cruel deaths (and lives) we happily inflict on such animals to provide cheap food. Before we can understand the need for rewilding, we have to confront the planet’s dewilding. From my vantage point, dewilding includes dramatic extinction events – (including the one dubbed the Sixth Great Extinction, unfolding today) as well as subtle losses – like the growing disconnect between children and nature.This very nearly made it onto the top 5 list – a great read, which explores the history and cultural importance of orchards, alongside the role they play in biodiversity. After reading this book, you’ll want to plant your own orchard – in fact, I actually did! We Are the Ark– Pioneer gardening rewilder, Mary Reynolds brings her warm and enigmatic style of rewilding to a wider audience in this captivating illustrated edition. Her thoughts align closely with my own on rewilding gardens, so I look forward to reading this one.

The book itself is deeply steeped in science, with plenty of interesting and useful insights into the ways in which wild landscapes function, from fungi to Oak trees. There are plenty of great characters, too – you can see why ‘Wilding’ became the book that really helped to popularise the rewilding movement. Rewilding certainly has a lot to offer and will become more mainstream over the years and decades ahead, particularly given the threat brought by climate change. Paul Jepson and Cain Blythe present an overview of rewilding, what it is, why it matters, and how increased knowledge, understanding, and embracing of its principles can help bring about the recovery of natural ecosystems. The definitive wildlife survival manual ... Visions of paradise with all the practical advice to make it

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Often we think of conversation as human non-interference (leaving nature alone and letting it run its course) - this even being an end within itself.