Bea: "The book of Wilding" by Isabella Tree
“My favourite book is “The Book of Wilding” by Isabella Tree. It’s a book about a rewilding project in the UK which gives practical examples about rewilding interventions.”
Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell have firsthand experience witnessing nature’s remarkable capacity for rejuvenation when given the opportunity. What emerges isn’t solely an abundance of wildlife but also solutions to the various environmental challenges we confront. “The Book of Wilding” serves as a guide on how we can collectively contribute to the restoration of nature. It embodies ambition, foresight, and practicality, stemming from Isabella and Charlie’s endeavour to rewild not only Britain and Europe but also other regions worldwide. Drawing insights from their pioneering project at Knepp in Sussex, this book responds to the growing demand for knowledge on rewilding diverse landscapes, from unproductive farms and large estates to water bodies, gardens, urban spaces, and beyond. In essence, “The Book of Wilding” provides the necessary guidance.
Lukas: "Feral" by george monbiot
“My favourite rewilding book is Feral by George Monbiot. Because it gives many examples of wild nature and it is very inspirational and passionate about how nice and captivating nature can be.”
Imagine if we abandoned our cautious approaches and embraced a hopeful perspective in addressing environmental challenges, allowing nature itself to advocate on our behalf. This is precisely what George Monbiot advocates in “Feral,” presenting a poetic and unabashedly romantic portrayal of how reintegrating nature into our lives can both alleviate our “ecological boredom” and initiate the restoration of centuries-old environmental damage. Monbiot leads readers on a captivating global expedition to witness rewilded ecosystems, liberated from human interference and finally able to resume their natural processes after millennia. We share in his sense of wonder as he encounters dolphins and seabirds while kayaking off the Welsh coast, and traverses Eastern European forests where lynx and wolf packs are reclaiming their ancestral territories. Through Monbiot’s vivid narrative, we glimpse environmental triumphs and dare to envision a future where humanity and nature coexist harmoniously, part of a unified, healing world. Monbiot’s dedication is unwavering, his enthusiasm contagious, and his prose compelling. Those willing to venture beyond the confines of civilization and join him on this enchanting odyssey will undoubtedly undergo transformation.
julia: "Wilder" by Millie Kerr and "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer
“I like to recommend two books. One of them is called “Wilder” by Millie Kerr. It examines successful rewilding cases which is very insightful. The other one is called “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I really enjoyed it because it examines indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge.”
In this timely and captivating addition to the ongoing discourse concerning our relationship with the natural world, wildlife journalist Millie Kerr guides readers on a global voyage of exploration. She delves into the practicalities and potentials of ecological restoration worldwide, immersing herself firsthand in some of today’s most ambitious endeavours, particularly those centred on species reintroduction initiatives in the Global South. “Wilder” chronicles the resurgence of jaguars in an Argentinian national park, the groundbreaking pangolin reintroduction project in South Africa, and the pivotal role of giant tortoises in ecosystem recovery across the Galápagos Islands, among numerous other endeavours.
Amidst a pressing moment in the global battle against biodiversity decline, “Wilder” delivers a message of innovation and hope. By highlighting conservation success stories and demonstrating the unwavering dedication of conservationists striving for a brighter tomorrow, Kerr inspires us all to actively engage in finding solutions.
As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer has been trained to approach nature with scientific inquiry. Yet, as a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she also acknowledges the wisdom inherent in plants and animals, viewing them as our oldest teachers. In her book “Braiding Sweetgrass,” Kimmerer bridges these two perspectives. By drawing on her experiences as an indigenous scientist, a mother, and a woman, Kimmerer demonstrates how various living beings—such as asters, goldenrod, strawberries, squash, salamanders, algae, and sweetgrass—offer us invaluable gifts and lessons, even if we’ve lost touch with their voices. Through a tapestry of reflections, ranging from the mythological creation of Turtle Island to contemporary threats to its biodiversity, she advances a central thesis: that nurturing a broader ecological consciousness necessitates recognizing and honouring our interconnectedness with the rest of the natural world. Kimmerer argues that only by attuning ourselves to the languages of other beings can we truly appreciate the earth’s boundless generosity and reciprocate with gifts of our own.
