To rewild an area is to protect its natural habitats, encourage native animal species to return, and allow nature to flourish. Done well, rewilding can reverse species extinction, tackle climate change and improve our overall health and well-being of the ecosystem.
But any project that fails to engage the people who live in and around the protected areas where this restoration effort is taking place is a recipe for failure in the long run. As much as people can contribute to the decline of wildlife and landscapes, they are also the only ones who can act as day-to-day, hands-on guardians of these crucial spaces. Only by re-igniting a connection between people and their native environment, can we motivate and inspire them to protect the species around them for decades to come.