Locally sourced, nature-based products may play an important role in the rewilding process.
Click on each of the icons below to find out how natural products can support rewilding.
Creating sustainable economic opportunities for local communities. Local, natural produce can create income by sustainably utilising local ecosystems. This can reduce people’s dependence on more destructive activities like logging or intensive agriculture.
Gaining local communities’ goodwill and acceptance. When local residents see tangible economic benefits from rewilding efforts, they are more likely to embrace and support rewilding activities, fostering increased support for coexistence with wildlife and wilder nature.
Generating additional revenue streams for rewilding. Some natural products have the potential to generate income that can be directed towards rewilding efforts. This could be by allocating a portion of profits to local rewilding actions to pay for measures that help people and wilder nature live together.
Promoting tradition and pride. Many natural products are deeply rooted in local cultures and traditions, reflecting traditional knowledge and practices passed down through generations. By supporting people to produce and sell these products, rewilding can reinvigorate cultural heritage, fostering a sense of pride and connection to the land – within a new narrative of wilder landscapes.
Encouraging sustainable land use practices. By encouraging the transition from intensive or extractive practices to more sustainable approaches – such as agroforestry, organic farming or selective harvesting techniques, within appropriate zones, away from core rewilded areas – natural products can help shift productive land along the scale towards a more natural state.
Enhancing wildlife habitat. The production of some natural products, such as organic fruit orchards, offer opportunities to provide additional habitat and food sources for wildlife that can complement rewilding elsewhere in the landscape. This can be done by integrating wildlife-friendly features into the orchards and fields.
Woman looking at oak leaves. Piani Palentini, Scurcola Marsicana, Abruzzo, Italy. Credit: Bruno D'Amicis / Rewilding Europe
