Ep. 013: Can we even 'REWILD' in the UK?!

Written By Tom Constable

Is rewilding in the UK even possible? Why are terms important? What is rewilding anyway?

In this episode we are joined by academic expert in rewilding, Dr Stephen Carver, as we discuss the role of human intervention, our desire for an ‘outcome’ and the challenges of rewilding in the UK. 

Our Guest

Dr Carver is a Geographer and Senior Lecturer at the University of Leeds. His areas of special interests include wilderness, wild land, rewilding, landscape evaluation and public participation. He has worked extensively on the development of wild land mapping and evaluation methodologies and has tested and applied these globally. 

Stephen has worked with a range of agencies on wild land topics and has published widely in over 100 papers, books, book chapters, conference proceedings and generalist articles. He is Director of the Wildland Research Institute and is Joint Chair of the IUCN CEM Task Force on Rewilding. He also sits on advisory panels for the Wild Ennerdale and Rewilding Britain projects and is co-chair of the World Wilderness Congress' Science and Stewardship Symposium. 

https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/geography/staff/1013/dr-steve-carver

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-carver-509a917/

Your Hosts

Grange Project Contact & Social Media

Listen out for:

[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe introduce the episode and our guest, Dr Stephen Carver, and briefly share updates from the Grange Project: defeat for our drainage works, Tom’s new walking companion and an exciting update about the first podcast of 2024.

[00:05:45] We begin our conversation with Stephen, who after introducing himself, shares his definition of rewilding and the scale necessary. 

[00:09:50] Tom questions Stephen about the tension between allowing nature to lead and the urgency of the climate and biodiversity crises, including a discussion about active and passive rewilding.  

[00:13:10] We discuss the risks and benefits of different approaches towards nature restoration; from active management to land abandonment.

[00:19:50] Tom asks Stephen about the importance of words and we discuss the spectrum of rewilding and regenerative agriculture.

[00:28:00] Is rewilding in the UK even possible? How are we going to restore 30% of our landscape by 2030? Does it mean everything and nothing?

[00:39:22] Stephen reflects on the importance of positionality, government policy and fiscal mechanisms.  

[00:44:18] Tom and Chloe reflect on the interview together.

Tom Constable