Why do rewilding and communities need each other? 

Humans are a part of nature. Our communities are shaped by the land and sea around us, living alongside plants and animals in interconnected ecosystems. In urban and rural spaces, our actions influence nature, from the way we garden or manage green spaces to the choices we make about how we use natural resources over large areas.

Recognising our place in the natural world helps us understand that rewilding is about restoring balance, embracing our role as caretakers of the natural world and making space for animals and plants to thrive alongside us. 

A recent study commissioned by Rewilding Britain shows that land reform in Scotland, and a shift towards community ownership, is often associated with changing ideas about how to manage land. 21 examples included in this study of community ownership and rewilding show objectives which  include increasing biodiversity and nature restoration. In cases where communities have managed the land for a sufficient period, species populations have grown, and habitats have improved.

Marine nature restoration efforts across Scotland are showing that healthy ecosystems need engaged communities. Pioneering community-led restoration projects like COAST, Seawilding and others, demonstrate how communities and nature can thrive together on our coasts, while creating new jobs in rural communities. 

So communities are good for rewilding. At the same time, rewilding is good for communities. Case studies included here show how rewilding has created employment. Additional benefits from nature restoration include: 

• Flood resilience
• Better health and wellbeing
• New scientific knowledge about how nature restoration occurs
• An educational resource and inspiration for schools

The Scottish Land Commission has many additional examples on their website.