World Rewilding Day, observed on March 20th, serves as a moment to increase awareness and motivate efforts to revive and safeguard forests, wetlands, and various ecosystems worldwide.

History

World Rewilding Day was first celebrated on March 20, 2021. It was initiated by a coalition of rewilding organizations, including Rewilding Europe and the Global Rewilding Alliance, to highlight the importance of rewilding projects and to mobilize support for restoring natural habitats.

Key Goals

1. Raise Awareness: Educate the public about the importance of rewilding and its benefits for ecosystems and human health.
2. Promote Rewilding Projects: Showcase successful rewilding projects around the world and inspire new initiatives.
3. Encourage Participation: Motivate individuals, communities, and organizations to get involved in rewilding efforts.
4. Support Biodiversity: Enhance biodiversity by restoring natural habitats and reintroducing native species.
5. Address Climate Change: Mitigate climate change impacts by promoting natural solutions, such as reforestation and wetland restoration.

What is Rewilding?

Rewilding is a conservation approach that focuses on restoring natural processes, ecosystems, and landscapes to their wild, unmanaged states. This can include reintroducing native species, removing human-made barriers, and allowing natural processes like flooding, predation, and vegetation succession to occur without interference. The goal is to create self-sustaining ecosystems that can adapt to environmental changes and support diverse species.

Benefits of Rewilding

• Biodiversity Conservation: Restores habitats for native species, increasing biodiversity and ecological resilience.
• Climate Regulation: Enhances carbon sequestration through the restoration of forests, wetlands, and other natural landscapes.
• Water Management: Improves water quality and availability by restoring natural hydrological cycles.
• Soil Health: Promotes healthy soils through natural processes, reducing erosion and increasing fertility.
• Human Well-being: Provides opportunities for recreation, education, and connection with nature, contributing to mental and physical health.

Activities and Celebrations

Educational Activities

1. Webinars and Workshops: Hosting online or in-person events to educate people about rewilding principles and projects.
2. Documentaries and Films: Screening documentaries and films that showcase rewilding efforts and their impacts.
3. Public Lectures: Inviting experts to give talks on rewilding and its importance for the environment and society.

Community Engagement

1. Tree Planting: Organizing tree planting events to restore native forests.
2. Habitat Restoration: Participating in local habitat restoration projects, such as wetland or grassland restoration.
3. Species Reintroduction: Supporting initiatives that reintroduce native species to their natural habitats.

Celebrations

1. Social Media Campaigns: Using social media to spread awareness about rewilding, share success stories, and promote events with hashtags like #WorldRewildingDay and #Rewilding.
2. Outdoor Activities: Encouraging people to explore and enjoy rewilded areas through hiking, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities.
3. Art and Photography: Hosting art exhibitions or photography contests focused on the beauty of rewilded landscapes and wildlife.

How to Participate

1. Learn and Share: Educate yourself about rewilding and share information with your network.
2. Get Involved: Volunteer for local rewilding projects or conservation organizations.
3. Support Rewilding Efforts: Donate to organizations that work on rewilding projects and advocate for policies that support rewilding.
4. Plant Native Species: Plant native trees and plants in your garden or community to support local biodiversity.
5. Reduce Impact: Minimize your ecological footprint by adopting sustainable practices in your daily life.

Examples of Rewilding Projects

• Yellowstone National Park (USA): The reintroduction of wolves has restored natural predator-prey dynamics, leading to healthier ecosystems.
• Great Fens Project (UK): Restoration of wetlands to their natural state, benefiting biodiversity and water management.
• Danube Delta (Romania): Efforts to restore the delta's natural hydrological processes and habitats for native species.

Global Rewilding Alliance

The Global Rewilding Alliance is a coalition of rewilding organizations and practitioners working together to promote and implement rewilding projects worldwide. They provide resources, support, and coordination to amplify the impact of rewilding efforts.

By participating in World Rewilding Day, individuals and communities can contribute to the restoration of natural ecosystems, support biodiversity, and help address climate change. The celebration of this day emphasizes the importance of giving nature the space and opportunity to heal and thrive.