rewilding

1 of 2

noun

re·​wild·​ing (ˌ)rē-ˈwī(-ə)l-diŋ 

: an effort to increase biodiversity and restore the natural processes of an ecosystem that typically involves reducing or ceasing human activity and often the planned reintroduction of a plant or animal species and especially a keystone species

Rewilding—giving nature the space and opportunity to express itself—is largely a leap of faith.

—Isabella Tree

Large-scale domestic rewilding projects include dam removal in the Pacific Northwest and in the Northeast to facilitate the return of several endangered species of salmon, as well as reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park, which stabilized and reinvigorated the ecosystem.

—Carey Smith

The concept of rewilding creates hope; it gives the opportunity to set things right, to link protected areas through corridors, to bring back species once lost, and to revitalize our forests, rivers, and wetlands with all forms of life.

—Bahar Dutt

The truth of when this forest actually existed and why it disappeared is murky. … Now, a group of visionary conservationists and ecotourism companies are working to revive the landscape through rewilding.

—Chloe Berge

rewilding

2 of 2

present participle of rewild

Examples of rewilding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Growers planting pollinator gardens and trees have contributed their share to urban rewilding, drawing bees and butterflies to the city and adding to its pastoral charm. —Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 27 Nov. 2024

The cost of booking supports Few & Far’s biodiversity and habitat restoration work, including its rewilding efforts to enable more natural carbon sequestration in South Africa’s Limpopo province. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2024

With the rewilding of the Tasmanian tiger, Colossal Biosciences hopes to not only restore an apex marsupial predator to its native region, but also balance the ecological scales in the region. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

In Kevin Philip Williams and Michael Guidi’s latest book, Shrouded in Light: Naturalistic Planting Inspired by Wild Shrublands, we are challenged to rethink rewilding through inspiration not instruction, drawing ideas from nature, personal life, and style. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

rewild + -ing entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1993, in the meaning defined above