This, of course, requires large tracts of land on which to experiment and introduce these species. It requires cooperation among landowners and any government entities that control that land. And it requires scientists to be able to understand the incredibly complex relationships among, not only the megaherbivores and their predators, but also plants, trees, grasses, smaller mammals, insects and the like. It’s a big undertaking and not one to be taken lightly. Can we do it? Can humans successfully undo the damage we have done to the land and repair these ecosystems by rewilding them? An evocative journey through the history and natural history of the woodland. A beautiful and poetic book, which shines a light on many unfamiliar stories from across the world. All in all, I think Rewilding gives a glimpse into many different ideas, trials and steps already taken. The last chapter does sound a bit too forcefully optimistic, but that might just be my own cynicism talking. Hopefully I'll find a copy of this in writing. I think I might retain more information by reading and just listening.

According to the authors – Paul Jepson and Cain Blythe – rewilding is viable and is beginning to happen in Europe and America. They predict Europe will lead the way, because rural depopulation and the decline of traditional agriculture are creating large areas of land in need of a new future. When combined with economic reasons for nature-based solutions, a desire for commercial breeding and ranching could emerge. They touch on numerous rewilding projects – from the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone to the rewilding of England’s Knepp Estate – helping readers get a sense of rewilding’s many shapes and sizes. Your first book choice is A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. What relevance do the observations of an American ecologist who died 70 years ago have today? I'm not quite sure where this book fits within the ecological literature I've become deeply interested in as an adult. Most likely you could use this as a 101 or 102 level introduction to the topic and a light argument for its practice. Although many rewilders consider it weird science, the stuff of Jurassic Park, I find it compelling, not least because rewilding often begins with a baseline. Who’s to say what that baseline should be?For any young people anxious about the future of our planet, this is a strong and positive reminder of all the wonderful work being done to restore the natural world. 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. As we live in the midst of a climate catastrophe it can be hard to find hope, but we must. Rewilding as a concept feels like it can be a vital source of positivity in dark times. It seems to hold not only a potential way to help repair the damage of our past actions, but also a way to transform our future relationship with the natural world and that is exciting. Is there room for both humans and wild nature to flourish on an increasingly crowded planet? The author Isabella Tree argues that 'wilding' can be benefit both, and chooses five books to support her case.

How do you restore an ecosystem if species are extinct/introduced so the previous structure isn't possible? They argue to focus on the functions that aren't being served properly because too much of one species or missing another. Replace the functions, even if it is a different species. 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: the Radical New Science of Ecological Recovery covers the history of re-wilding, bringing us to the current day with case studies in the Netherlands, Wales and Yellowstone Park in the United States, and provides a roadmap for the future.In the UK and Europe, rewilding typically involves the restoration of former agricultural land, sometimes via species reintroductions, sometimes not. Elsewhere, rewilding revitalises wilderness areas, many of which are protected-yet-degraded, and hinges on the reintroduction of locally extinct keystone species. In the process, Jepson and Blythe cover evolutionary biology, ecology, political issues and various theories of rewilding in an unbiased, accessible and informed way. Natural and systems approaches are assessed, drawing on recent research and innovations such as the wildlife economy model in South Africa, de-domestication and wildlife banks. Those who are enthusiastic about saving the environment often have a mixed relationship with science. They might for example, support organic farming or oppose nuclear power, despite organics having no nutritional benefit and requiring far more land to be used to raise the same amount of crops, while nuclear is a green energy source that should be seen as an essential support to renewables. This same confusion can extend to the concept of rewilding, which is one reason that the subtitle of this book uses the word 'radical'. Wilding at Knepp would not have been possible without the support of taxpayers, through mechanisms such as the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. That said, official agencies also slowed you down or prevented you from doing some things you have wanted to do. What do you think will best facilitate wilding in future?