Campaigners gathered outside the Scottish Parliament in a striking public action calling for the Scottish Government to stop stalling and start rewilding.
More than 100 people attended the stunt outside Holyrood on Tuesday 1 October, representing thousands of individuals, charities, community groups and businesses from across Scotland.
With stop and go signs raised in front of the parliament building, protesters highlighted the barriers holding back rewilding and the solutions already available.
The demonstration was led by the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and marked the first time rewilding campaigners have staged a coordinated protest directly targeting Scotland’s politicians.
It follows public support for the campaign from actor Alan Cumming, who joined the growing list of high-profile backers.
The Rewilding Nation campaign is calling for the Scottish Government to commit to rewilding 30 percent of the country’s land and seas.
Their plan, Pathway to a Rewilding Nation, sets out specific actions the government can take to restore ecosystems at scale.
Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, despite a headline pledge to protect 30 percent of land and sea for nature by 2030.
Currently, just 2.5 percent of Scotland’s land is under rewilding, with campaigners warning it could take 65 years at the current rate to reach the government’s 30 percent target.
Rewilding involves the large-scale restoration of nature to a state where it can take care of itself, often through restoring natural processes and, where appropriate, reintroducing lost species.
That includes reviving peatlands, replanting native woodlands, restoring rivers and wetlands, and regenerating marine habitats.
Karen Blackport, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of Bright Green Nature, said the time for delay has passed.
“Rewilding is about hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies, and brings with it a wealth of benefits, including jobs, clean air and water, and improved health,” she said.
“Polling shows 80 percent of Scots think the Scottish Government should have policies in place to support rewilding, yet again and again, we are met by silence, foot-dragging or excuses when it comes to protecting and restoring nature in a major way.”
She added:
“Scotland has the choice and opportunity to lead the way in turning the nature crisis around.
“We want to see these issues debated and discussed openly by all political parties in the run-up to the Scottish elections next May.”
Over 190 rewilding-related projects are already active in Scotland, led by communities, farmers, landowners, and environmental charities.
The campaign has also received support from Scottish actor Brian Cox, singer Nathan Evans, climate campaigner Laura Young, influencer Somhairle, and actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
More information on the campaign can be found at rewild.scot/pathway-to-a-rewilding-nation
