We are busy rewilding the planet –
The Global Rewilding Alliance is an expanding network of partner organisations around the globe. Our vision is a world where restored wild lands and seas provide a secure future for people, nature and the planet. The global community has pledged to protect at least 30% of the planet’s land and seas by 2030 – also known as 30 by 30. To achieve this goal, we need to put nature in the driver’s seat.
Rewilding is a fundamental shift in our relationship with nature. It is a movement for the benefit of all life on earth; bringing back key animal species regenerates ecosystems and enhances the services we all depend on to thrive – from clean water to fresh air and thriving landscapes.
Together, since 2021, our alliance partners are influencing the rewilding of approaching
2.2 million square kilometers of land and 5 million square kilometers of sea.
(Figures updated February 2025)
Alliance Partners
Countries involved
Million sq.km of land
Million sq.km of sea
Our mission
The Global Rewilding Alliance is here to build and support the global rewilding movement. We are mobilising the power of people working together to rewild the Earth.
Our mission is to mainstream rewilding in science, policy and practice by 2030. We’re a good way there already!
Our approach
Rewilding is a fundamental shift in our relationship with nature. It is a movement for the benefit of all life on Earth.
We are showing how rewilding is practical, credible and economically viable as well as beautiful and inspiring. We convene high-quality science, influence global policy and encourage decision-makers everywhere to get involved.
Our work is grounded in the 12 “Principles for Rewilding“.
We use a 4 step approach
1
We Gather Evidence
Safeguarding biodiversity is an essential act to sustain life as we know it. We advance the rewilding movement with world-class science, evidence, and ideas proving that rewilding needs to be at the centre of environmental policy and action.
2
We Advocate For Change
Based on our strong scientific evidence and increased public support, we influence policy and call for the restoration of wildlife populations to be included as a key nature-based solution.
4
We Inspire Communities
We raise awareness on rewilding and share practical hope for everyone. We invite people everywhere to understand rewilding and to participate in this inspiring movement.
3
We Accelerate Rewilders’ Journeys
We build partnerships with organisations and local communities to create the movement for rewilding and ecological restoration. We support our Alliance Partners by helping them connect to one another, learn from each other and work together towards shared goals.
Which feeds back into the first stage, gathering evidence to advance the rewilding movement. And so the cycle continues.
Rewilding around the world
Rewilding Timeline
Mid 19th century
Henry David Thoreau & John Muir advocate for preserving wilderness areas in response to rapid industrialisation and urbanisation, leading to environmental degradation.
1872
World’s first National Park in Yellowstone, USA officially starting the conservation movement.
1889
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds marks the beginning of the organised conservation movement in the UK.
Late 1980s
The term "Rewilding" is shared by conservationists Michael Soulé & Reed Noss. The idea of trophic cascades emerges: predators and large grazers have cascading effects on ecosystems, helping to maintain balance.
Early 2000s
Rewilding gains traction as a holistic approach to conservation: larger core areas, corridors between them + reintroducing key species starts restoring whole ecosystems.
2021
The Global Rewilding Alliance is founded by Vance Martin, Karl Wagner and Magnus Sylvén with support from the WILD Foundation, Re:wild and the signatories to the Charter for Rewilding the Earth.
2021
Based on an idea by Jan Stannard, Chair of our Alliance Partner Heal Rewilding, the first World Rewilding Day took place on March 20th 2021. Now it is a successful yearly event. Mark your calendar to join us on March 20th next year!
2023
2024
On World Rewilding Day, March 20th 2024, the Global Rewilding Alliance launched it’s Collective Impact Report, the world’s first attempt to summarise the collective impact of the global rewilding movement. As the year went on, the GRA continued to grow our organisation, adding new volunteers, expanding our network, and welcoming Frans Schepers, Gregor Pipan, Reem AlMealla and Nelson Mhlanga to the GRA Board of Directors.
September 2024
GRA Launched the Animating the Carbon Cycle website to promote this exciting natural solution to the challenges of biodiversity loss, the climate crisis and climate anxiety. The website is a comprehensive resource including scientific papers, articles, reports, news items, press releases, videos and other information. Find out more at animatingcarbon.earth
October 2024
February 2025
On World Wetlands Day, the Global Rewilding Alliance and ten partner organisations launched a compelling report Taking Animals into Account revealing how wild animals play an underestimated but vital role in keeping the world’s wetlands functional and resilient.
In addition, the GRA exceeded 230 Alliance Partners, who together influence a combined coverage of 7.2 million square kilometres of land and sea – that’s an area twice as large as India, and almost as large as Australia! The GRA also passed 5,000 followers on Instagram and 19,000 on LinkedIn.