Energizing Thoughts for Win-Win-Win Momentum

(Just some thought-provoking stuff I'm thinking about these days)

Have You Heard of Rewilding?

Rewilding is an exciting and important conservation effort focused on restoring natural ecosystems to their wild, self-sustaining state. The idea is simple but powerful—by reintroducing native species, rebuilding habitats, and letting nature take its course, we can bring back biodiversity and restore balance to our environment, locally and globally.

Why does it matter?  Human activity—urbanization, deforestation, and industrial agriculture—has disrupted ecosystems around the globe. These changes have led to the loss of vital species and the breakdown of natural processes, threatening both wildlife and humans. Rewilding is about letting nature heal, bringing back the animals, plants, and ecosystems that keep the planet resilient and thriving.

What’s being done? Across the world, rewilding projects are making a real impact. One successful U.S. example is the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995. Wolves, a keystone species, had been wiped out from the area for decades, leading to an overpopulation of elk that damaged the park’s vegetation and riverbanks. Once wolves were brought back, the ecosystem began to heal—elk populations were naturally controlled, vegetation rebounded, and species like beavers and birds returned to the park, restoring the balance of the entire ecosystem.

But it’s not always simple. Rewilding often requires humans to give up something—whether it's land for agriculture, urban development, or even the presence of certain species. The return of wolves to Yellowstone, for example, led to concerns among local ranchers, as wolves occasionally prey on livestock. These challenges highlight the delicate balance between human needs and conservation goals, requiring thoughtful planning, compromise, and collaboration to ensure a win-win-win for people, wildlife, and the planet. I’ll be discussing these challenges in upcoming podcast episodes about elephants and giant tortoises, focusing on how we can navigate the complex interface between human development and nature's needs.

How can we help? Even if you’re not directly involved in rewilding projects, there are simple actions you can take to support these efforts:

• Support rewilding organizations by donating or volunteering. Check out Planet Wild, Wildya, Thompkins Conservation, WCS and others working on this purpose-driven journey. Shout out to Oliver Dauert of Wildya who is scheduled to be a Resilience Gone Wild podcast guest in early 2025!
• Advocate for policy changes that protect wildlife and support ecosystem restoration.
• Create wild spaces in your own backyard by planting native species and avoiding the use of pesticides.
• Educate others on the importance of biodiversity and natural ecosystems.

Rewilding is not just about returning to the past—it’s about building a more resilient and sustainable future for both nature and humanity. By helping to restore ecosystems, we can all contribute to a healthier, more balanced planet.

Check out: TED Talks by Kristine McDivitt Tomkins - former Patagonia CEO:  Let's Make The World Wild Again   A Bold Plan To Rewild