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Copyright Create The Future 2021
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Rewilding and nature recovery

Postcards for progress / Rewilding

Rewilding, the process of restoring ecosystems to their natural state, can significantly aid in mitigating climate change. By allowing nature to take care of itself, rewilding promotes biodiversity, enhances carbon sequestration, and strengthens the resilience of ecosystems to climate impacts. This approach encourages a harmonious balance between people and nature, where both can thrive.

Take a moment to imagine an ideal future for your local area. What if…

  • Vast areas of land were restored to their natural state, allowing ecosystems to thrive and sequester carbon effectively?
  • There were thriving coastal areas that support marine biodiversity and provide resilience against climate impacts?
  • Landscapes were designed to naturally manage water flow, reducing the risk of flooding and maintaining water supplies during dry periods?
  • Rewilding projects created new economic opportunities through ecotourism, sustainable agriculture, and conservation jobs?

Did you know?

  • Rewilding is fast emerging as one of the most powerful, cost-effective and life-affirming ways to rise to the challenge of climate breakdown and loss of wildlife.
  • Rewilding Britain estimates that restoring and protecting native woodland, peatlands, heaths, and species-rich grasslands over seven million hectares of Britain (30% of the land) could capture and store 53 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. That’s more than 12% of current UK greenhouse gas emissions!
  • Only 2.5% of the money spent on climate mitigation is directed towards approaches that work to improve natural ecosystems.
A cross-section of an orchard with long healthy roots in the rich soil, blossom on the trees, long grass and butterflies, digital art.png

Who to write to:

To advocate for thriving natural habitats and biodoversity, you could write a postcard to…

  • Natural England. In the UK, decisions related to rewilding are primarily made by Natural England, which is the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England. Why not write to them?
  • Your local councillor. Many local councils are land owners and could help rewilding efforts and increase biodiversity by increasing planting on their own land as well as using their power to support and influence local farmers and other landowners to create green corridors and biodiverse habitats on their land.
  • The UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs is responsible for improving and protecting the environment, as well as supporting the food farming, and fishing industries. You could write to the SoS for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs about the importance of rewiliding efforts.
  • Your MP. Why not ask your MP if they support rewilding and urge them to protect local habitats and prioritise funding for rewilding, adaptation and mitigation measures.

Rewilding is not about abandoning civilization but about enhancing it. It is to ‘love not man the less, but Nature more

George Monbiot Feral: Rewilding the Land, Sea and Human Life

Next steps

  1. Download the postcard template (or create your own!)
  2. Imagine a future where nature has reclaimed space and is thriving again alongside humans, then think about how we could act today to make it happen.
  3. Draw or doodle something that represents your ideal, sustainable future on one side. (Have fun with this – you don’t have to be an artist! Or feel free to write a few key words.)
  4. Write a short postcard letter to your chosen changemaker on the other side. Try to include a ‘call to action’ to help make your better future a reality.
  5. Take a photo and submit it to our postcard gallery.
  6. Send the postcard to your chosen changemaker!