Alliances can be catalysts for systemic change. By bringing together a whole array of different people around a shared vision, they form networks of individuals that contribute in a multitude of ways – culminating in a global movement. As the proverb suggests, gathering minds and hearts like this creates vast ripple effects. In 2019, gathered around a kitchen table, a group of like-minded people saw an opportunity to catalyse the rewilding movement in Scotland. That day, they created the Scottish Rewilding Alliance.
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance is a coalition of organisations, communities and individuals made up of over 20 members who are working together to restore nature across the nation. Each brings different experiences that weave together to champion large-scale rewilding and let nature do what it does best: recover, regenerate and flourish. The Alliance team itself is small and mighty, pushing for ambitious policy change and campaigning nation-wide for rewilding.
Scotland’s landscapes have been shaped by humans over thousands of years. Today, a few hundred people own most of the land.
Along Scotland’s coasts, small-scale sustainable fishing communities have been crowded out by big business. The Alliance works within this complex setting to create momentum for rewilding, always with an eye on the bigger picture – that more resilient ecosystems will benefit all life.
During the 2021 Scottish elections, the Scottish Rewilding Alliance advocated for lynx and beaver reintroductions to be government policy. Credit: Wildmedia
Snippets of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance Rewilding Nation’s campaign. Credit: Scottish Rewilding Alliance
Creating the world’s first Rewilding Nation
The organisation’s flagship campaign, Rewilding Nation, urges the Scottish Government to commit to nature recovery on 30% of the country’s land and seas, making Scotland a world leader in ecosystem restoration. In a country like Scotland, where natural processes have been broken or disrupted, this mission is critical.
The alliance asks us to imagine a Scotland where nature is reawakened. Together, they are advocating for a Scottish landscape where a rich tapestry of native woodlands, wetlands, wildflower meadows and grasslands is stitched back together, and seas are teeming with life. Where wildlife thrives alongside people of all generations, wherever they live.
Where people feel connected to the natural world – from the clean air they breathe to the nature-based enterprises that support thriving communities.
If you connect with this vision, consider supporting their Rewilding Nation Charter. Thousands of people across Scotland have already done so – and gone on to take more actions for rewilding, like contacting their elected representatives or showing up to rewilding events.
Right now, around 200 rewilding projects are already underway across Scotland, from community woodlands and wetland restoration to coastal and marine recovery efforts. These initiatives bring nature back to life and create real, positive impacts for people, from job opportunities in nature-based enterprises to outdoor learning and recreation.
Rewilding Nation Campaign Launch. The organisation’s flagship campaign urges the Scottish Government to commit to nature recovery on 30% of the country’s land and seas. Credit: Scottish Rewilding Alliance
As the climate and biodiversity crises loom large, and Scotland remains one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries, uniting for a rewilding vision becomes ever more important.
Just imagine if Scotland became the first Rewilding Nation!
Inspiration through storytelling
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance shares uplifting rewilding stories from across the country, such as:
Villages that helped raise forests,
River habitats brought back to life, and
The search for lost trees as part of the Mountain Birch Project, inviting people to collect data whilst reconnecting with nature on their doorstep.
These stories show how individuals and communities are uplifted by rewilding, and prove that rewilding restores resilience, opportunity and hope.
In search of Scotland lost trees | The Mountain Birch Project
Enabling communities to advocate for change
Changing political agendas takes time and a whole lot of different steps, but one particularly crucial aspect is having communities that can lead and support rewilding.
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance works closely with local communities to answer their questions and give them the practical tools for rewilding. Their Community Rewilding Guide is a hands-on, inspiring resource designed to help local groups start and grow their own nature-restoration projects – with tips, case studies and tools for everything from organising volunteers to securing funding and monitoring progress. This is a real handbook for communities keen to make a difference in their own backyards.
One can also explore the many ways to get involved beyond hands-on rewilding. Amongst them, ‘Why not Scotland?’, an hour long film that follows Flo, a young Scot from Glasgow, on a personal journey as she seeks out examples of nature recovery around Europe. Encouraged by stories of hope and renewal, she is prompted to wonder: Why Not Scotland? (Produced by Alliance Partner, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture).
Why Not Scotland? | The Rewilding Nation documentary
Changing hearts and minds in Holyrood
The Alliance engages directly with politicians in the Scottish Parliament – Holyrood – to make the case for a wilder Scotland. They bring rewilding to the heart of decision making – and take politicians out into the wild, too. Through site visits, compelling evidence and storytelling, they want to see Scotland’s laws support a greener, fairer future.
Choosing a Wild Future
#ChooseOurFuture is the latest global campaign of the rewilding movement. One that recognises the future as a mosaic of choices – nothing is set, it’s all to play for.
Fittingly, “What will you choose?” is a short film produced by the Scottish Rewilding Alliance featuring people from crofts, coastal projects and community estates speaking about what rewilding means for biodiversity, climate and everyday life. This is a reminder that rewilding isn’t just about big landscapes, but the everyday choices we all make to give nature space to thrive.
Restoring nature at scale is one of the most hopeful choices we have in the face of climate and biodiversity loss. Through collective action, community engagement and vision, the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and its supporters are helping Scotland grow into a wilder, greener and more resilient nation.
Learn more at https://www.rewild.scot/
SCOTLAND: What will you choose?
