黑料正能量, the story so far
黑料正能量 is at the forefront of a movement that鈥檚 seen extraordinary growth in the past decade. Be inspired by the changes we鈥檝e already seen since 2015, in this new timeline of rewilding.
Since 黑料正能量 was formed in 2015, rewilding has moved from being a niche idea to offering real hope in the face of some of the biggest global challenges we face. Working with the trailblazing members of our Rewilding Network and backed by our dedicated supporters, we鈥檝e been at the forefront of this change.
From vision to movement
While there is still a way to go before rewilding plays its full potential in reconnecting us with the natural world, sustaining communities and tackling the interconnected nature and climate emergencies, these highlights from our first decade give a glimpse of what鈥檚 within reach.
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2015: 黑料正能量 is born
In 2015, a small group of passionate environmentalists came together, united by concern over Britain鈥檚 drastic wildlife loss and the limits of traditional conservation. Seeking a bold new approach to restore nature, they founded 黑料正能量鈥夆�斺�塼he first nationwide organisation dedicated to rewilding and its benefits for people, nature, and climate.
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2018: Rewilding in UK鈥檚 25 Year Environment Plan
Thanks to our advocacy efforts, the UK Government includes 鈥�鈥�ecosystem restoration鈥� and cites rewilding pioneers Knepp Estate as a prime example, in their definitive plan for improving the environment within a generation, which still guides policy today.
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2018: Wilding is a best-seller
Wilding by Isabella Tree is published, showcasing the rewilding journey of Rewilding Network member the trailblazing Knepp Estate. The award-winning book goes on to capture the imagination of hundreds of thousands around the world and be turned into a film in 2024 that was the highest-grossing documentary of the year.
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2019: Beavers welcomed back to Scotland
Scotland is the first UK nation to recognise European beavers as a native species, granting them full legal protection and paving the way for subsequent wild releases across the country, including in the Cairngorms National Park and Loch Lomond. We continue to push for an acceleration in the number of licences issued so that the species can play its full role in the ecosystem.
Learn more about beavers as ecoengineers -
2019: Rewilding hits The Archers
We encourage popular radio drama The Archers to include rewilding as an ongoing storyline, which we advise on鈥夆�斺�塨ringing the concept to millions of households across Britain.
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2019: Securing massive funding for rewilders
Our 100,000+ signature petition calling for mass-scale nature restoration to tackle climate change triggers a parliamentary debate, directly influencing the announcement of the 拢640 million Nature for Climate Fund. This remains a major source of funding for rewilding projects today.
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2019: The Scottish Rewilding Alliance is forged
Resolved to upscale rewilding in Scotland and to work with those in the country who are best-placed to make this happen, we join forces with Scotland: The Big Picture and Trees for Life to found the Scottish Rewilding Alliance. This powerful coalition of 20+ organisations goes on to campaign on many issues, from land reform and community participation in rewilding to species reintroductions.
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2020: Huge community buyout for rewilding
In Langholm, Southern Scotland, one determined community makes history by buying a former grouse moor to transform into a thriving nature reserve鈥夆�斺�塧 place for people, wildlife, and learning. Just two years later, the project doubles in size through a second, crowdfunded buyout supported by 黑料正能量.
Meet the rewilders of Langholm -
2021: The Rewilding Network launches
We launch the Rewilding Network, bringing together a vibrant community of rewilding changemakers restoring land and sea to drive innovation, share learning, and demonstrate the real-world benefits of rewilding. It quickly grows into a powerful movement for change. By 2025 the Network would grow to more than 1,000 members, transforming more than 206,500 hectares of land and 1,000 km虏 of sea.
Explore the Rewilding Network -
2021: Bottom trawling victory in Sussex
A local byelaw is passed to exclude near-shore bottom trawling off the coast of Sussex, following relentless campaigning by individuals and organisations shocked at the loss of 95% of the area鈥檚 kelp beds since the 1980s. Today they鈥檙e united under the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project and are already seeing marine life return to the area.
Read their story -
2021: First-ever World Rewilding Day
As part of the newly formed Global Rewilding Alliance we establish World Rewilding Day, to coincide with the start of the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. The event, held annually on 20 March, champions the movement and celebrates the multitude of people around the world on their own rewilding journey.
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2021: Government backs natural regen
Following our Natural Regeneration report and targeted policy work, the UK Government agrees to fund 鈥�鈥�natural regeneration鈥欌�夆�斺�塼he creation of trees and woodland through natural processes like seed dispersal鈥夆�斺�塧longside traditional tree planting. It鈥檚 a landmark moment, with policymakers embracing a core principle of rewilding: let nature lead.
Learn more about natural regen -
2021: Introducing the Rewilding Innovation Fund
To provide crucial seed funding to rewilding projects wanting to take the next step in their journey, we launch the Rewilding Innovation Fund. By 2025 more than 75 projects will have been supported with almost 拢1 million, to undertake everything from feasibility studies for species reintroductions to marine restoration to youth engagement.
See who we're supporting -
2021: Springwatch broadcasts from Rewilding Network site
Millions of BBC2 viewers watch Chris Packham and the team live at Rewilding Network member Wild Ken Hill, seeing wildlife that has returned thanks to its innovative approach to land management, from avocets to marsh harriers. The site would go on to host the show for three years and rewilding projects regularly feature in the series.
Read the story of Wild Ken Hill -
2021: Major boost for species recovery
In a sign that the UK Government is taking species recovery seriously, it launches the England Species Reintroductions Taskforce, to develop guidance and policy recommendations. We鈥檙e pleased to see wildcat on the list, alongside key species such as pine marten鈥夆�斺�塧nd we continue to ask: why not elk or lynx?
Learn more about species recovery -
2022: 50,000 back Wilder National Parks
We galvanise tens of thousands of people to get behind our petition for Wilder National Parks. Backed by Chris Packham, Megan McCubbin and Iolo Williams the bold campaign helps the nation view national parks through a new lens and raises ambitions for these cherished landscapes to work harder in restoring nature and supporting thriving communities.
Dig deeper into wilder national parks -
2022: 黑料正能量 wins Chelsea Flower Show
Our rewilding garden featuring a beaver inspired landscape, complete with a dam made of beaver-gnawed sticks, wins Best in Show at the 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Causing quite a stir in the establishment, it provokes just the sort of the debate we want to see.
Read our CEO's take on the win -
2022: Bison return to the UK after 6,000 years
Three European bison are reintroduced as free roaming animals at Wilder Blean 鈥� the first in the UK in 6,000 years. These incredible eco-engineers are part of a project run by this Rewilding Network member to understand how keystone species can shape a dynamic woodland that supports an abundance of wildlife.
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2022: Government funds large-scale rewilding projects
Following targeted advocacy work, Westminster includes rewilding as a fundable activity in its Environmental Land Management scheme, for the first time offering financial rewards to land managers in England prioritising nature recovery. Three Rewilding Network member projects are chosen as recipients of long-term 鈥�鈥�landscape recovery鈥� funding and more would go on to be part of the pilot projects.
Find out why ELMs matters -
2023: 拢100K Rewilding Challenge Fund unveiled
Committed to expanding rewilding across land and sea, we launch a 拢100K annual award for large-scale projects driving lasting impact. The inaugural recipient, the Wilder Blean Initiative, aims to rewild tens of thousands of hectares in southeast England. Sussex Bay鈥檚 marine vision and the Community of Arran Seabed Trust project would follow in subsequent years.
Dive into the Rewilding Challenge Fund -
2023: World鈥檚 first rewilding centre opens
A stunning new building in the Scottish Highlands opens as the UK鈥檚 first rewilding centre, inviting visitors to experience rewilding in action. Based at Rewilding Network member site Dundreggan, the flagship project of Trees for Life, the hub goes on to welcome ITV鈥檚 This Morning and pick up an international tourism award.
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2023: Rewilding enters British Sign Language
After first appearing in the dictionary in 2011, the word 鈥�鈥�谤别飞颈濒诲颈苍驳鈥� gets its own British Sign Language (BSL) sign鈥夆�斺�塷ne of over 200 new environmental terms added to BSL, reflecting just how widely the idea has spread.
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2023: Pan-European rewilding movement unites
We join with 45 leading European organisations to launch the European Rewilding Coalition, with a mission to scale up nature recovery across the continent. From reintroducing wild horses in the Iberian Highlands to supporting local enterprises in Romania鈥檚 Carpathians, working as part of a global rewilding movement is key to creating lasting change.
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2023: Scottish Government defines 鈥�鈥�谤别飞颈濒诲颈苍驳鈥�
In a landmark move, the Scottish Government publishes a formal definition of rewilding for policymakers and stakeholders. Though it later declines to adopt the term itself, 鈥�鈥�谤别飞颈濒诲颈苍驳鈥� features in NatureScot鈥檚 strategy, and Scotland鈥檚 biggest public land investment in a generation鈥夆�斺�塼he 2022 purchase of Glen Prosen鈥夆�斺�塱s managed under its principles.
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2024: Rewilding in Scotland鈥檚 Agriculture and Rural Communities Act
Working as part of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance on a highly targeted influencing plan, including engaging with MSPs, providing briefings and securing written questions in Holyrood, we secure vital changes to the Agriculture and Rural Communities Act鈥夆�斺�墂hich now means that farmers can be paid to restore natural processes and should be supported to set up nature based businesses.
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2024: Call for Scotland as world鈥檚 first Rewilding Nation
As part of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance we present the Scottish Government with the Rewilding Nation Charter, calling on the country to become the world鈥檚 first Rewilding Nation and rewild 30% of the country鈥檚 land and sea within a decade. Thousands sign the Charter and celebrities Alan Cumming, Brian Cox and Leonardo DiCaprio lend their support throughout the campaign.
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2025: 黑料正能量 team reaches 30+
What started out as a group of committed environmentalists in 2015 has now grown into an established charity powered by 30+ members of staff working from all corners of Britain to help shift the systems and create the conditions needed to rewild 30% of Britain鈥檚 land and sea by 2030.
Meet the team -
2025: Wales recognises beavers as native species
Wales has confirmed European beavers will receive protected status, meaning it鈥檒l be illegal to harm them or wreck their habitats. It鈥檚 a big step that brings the country in line with England and Scotland鈥夆�斺�塧nd one step closer to welcoming beavers back into the wild.
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2025: Securing marine protection
Representing thousands of coastal rewilders across Britain, we give evidence to the UK Parliament鈥檚 Environmental Audit Committee, calling for a ban on bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The Committee adopts the recommendation, influencing the UK Government鈥檚 later proposal to outlaw it in England鈥檚 offshore MPAs 鈥� legislation that we continue to lobby for across all three nations.
How we're turning the tide for marine rewilding -
2025: A win for beavers in England
After a high-profile campaign uniting NGOs, farmers, landowners, businesses and water companies, we celebrate a landmark victory as restrictions on wild beaver releases in England are lifted. Soon after, the first legal beavers return to the wild at Purbeck Heath Super National Nature Reserve in Dorset鈥夆�斺�塧 proud moment for this Rewilding Network member.
Top to bottom: Jeroen Helmer; Knepp Wildland;聽Sam Rose; Mark Hamblin/scotlandbigpicture.com; The Archers/BBC; Houses of Parliament; James Shooter/scotlandbigpicture.com; Shona Dickson; Ruby Batt; Sarah Cunliffe; Thomas Margraf/Shutterstock; Piotr Grzempowski/Shutterstock; Mario Plechaty/Shutterstock; Chris Packham; Peter Cairns/scotlandbigpicture.com; Sam Rose; Guy Bell/Alamy; Kent Wildlife Trust; Lorienne Whittle at Boothby Wildland by Jonathan Perugia for Nattergal; Howard Wood/COAST; Paul Campbell; Irina Flamingo/Shutterstock; Michele Agostinis/Rewilding Europe; Michael Bannister/Chapel Farm Group; Mark Hamblin/scotlandbigpicture.com; Leonsbox/iStock; Mark Hamblin/scotlandbigpicture.com; Katherine Gulika; Mark Kirkland/scotlandbigpicture.com聽聽
A decade of progress
Celebrating the rise of rewilding
10 years of wild hope
As 黑料正能量 marks its first decade we celebrate the 10 biggest achievements so far.
See what we've done together
An interview with Rebecca Wrigley
Co-founder and CEO Rebecca Wrigley reflects on 黑料正能量鈥檚 first 10 years and shares her vision for the future.
Read her story