The Scottish Rewilding Alliance hopes to inspire local community groups to help Scotland become the world’s first ‘Rewilding Nation’, with the launch of a practical new guide.

Available in both Gaelic and English, the guide to rewilding for community groups provides practical advice, case studies, and resources to help them start rewilding projects, and grow existing ones. The guide was developed in collaboration with community groups and features quotes and advice from the front lines of nature restoration.

Rewilding is the large-scale restoration of ecosystems to a state where nature can manage itself, focusing on restoring natural processes and, where appropriate, reintroducing missing species.

The guide was commissioned by the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a collaborative initiative of charities, businesses and community groups working to promote rewilding in Scotland.

Steve Micklewright, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of Trees for Life, said: “We hope the guide can inspire people to come together to help restore nature, tackle climate change, and create healthier ecosystems.

“Creating the guide underlined what we already knew - that rewilding isn’t just about restoring nature, but about restoring communities too. Rewilding helps to create jobs, inspire education, and bring people together for the benefit of their local area.

“More than anything, rewilding means hope - for a liveable future, for a wilder world, and for thriving communities.”

The Alliance’s guide also outlines how groups can access funding, navigate land reform laws, and form effective partnerships with public bodies, scientists, and local residents.

It highlights the success of existing community-led rewilding projects too, including Ury Riverside Park in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, where the guide was launched by Gaelic influencer Lauren Rhiannon.

Other local community rewilding projects featured in the guide include:

• Seawilding in Loch Craignish
• The Langholm Initiative - Tarras Valley Nature Reserve in Dumfries and Galloway
• The Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust in Renfrewshire
• Bright Green Future in the Scottish Borders
• Midlothian Wildflowers

The guide was written by ecologist and social forester Professor Anna Lawrence, building on words and experiences shared by community groups. The translation was provided by Hannah MacDiarmid. 

To download the guide in Gaelic: www.rewild.scot/stiuireadh-ath-fhiadhachaidh-coimhearsnachd 

To download the guide in English: www.rewild.scot/community-rewilding-guide 

ENDS

Media contacts:

Ian Morton; 07811 183633; ian.morton@campaigncollective.org 

Photo:

Close-up of person's hand collecting birch seeds for Arkaig Community Forest, Glen Mallie, Lochaber; Copyright Mark Hamblin/scotlandbigpicture.com