One fifth of UK councils are now actively rewilding

A joint investigation by The Guardian and Inkcap Journal confirms how widespread greening measures now are, with the number of local authorities launching schemes on the rise. 

Old golf courses, derelict industrial sites, and neglected scrubland are among the types of locations an increasing number of UK councils are focusing on in a bid to join the rewilding revolution. New figures suggest one in five local authorities are now engaged in some form of the practice, or have imminent plans to do so. 

The figures come from a joint investigation by The Guardian and wildlife magazine Inkcap Journal, which also shows there is ‘overwhelming public support’ for rewilding. In total, 206 county councils and single tier authorities were engaged in the research, many of which reported they are not only rolling out efforts to create more natural green spaces, but this is being done directly in line with the local area’s needs and indigenous ecosystems.

Currently, the largest of these projects is being spearheaded by Derby Council, at Allestree Park, where 130 hectares of land is being converted into scrub, woodland, and wildflower meadows. Dormice and red kits are also being reintroduced. Meanwhile, the North Somerset authority has claimed it intends to rewild ‘as much land as possible’ following the declaration of a nature emergency in 2019. 

It’s also worth noting that Birmingham City Council is actively avoiding the use of the word ‘rewilding’. As a spokesperson explained, they view the term as problematic because it implies returning land to its natural state, which could technically mean the need to repopulate with species such as bison, lynx and beavers. Overall, more councils in England and Scotland confirmed they were engaged with rewilding compared with Wales. 

Earlier this year, the Mayor of London announced funding for new awards aimed at supporting efforts to rewild the UK capital. 

Image credit: David Bruyndonckx