A rewilding survey: assessing attitudes towards rewilding in Scotland

Rewilding has been championed as a solution to Britain’s biodiversity crisis, but finding land for this new form of conservation can generate conflicts with existing landowners and users.

The challenge

Britain ranks as one of the most nature-depleted countries globally. Rewilding offers a promising solution by aiming to restore ecosystems through approaches such as species reintroductions and land abandonment, However, whilst a promising tool for ecological recovery in Britain, successful rewilding depends on more than ecological suitability; it must also align with social values, land use, and policy frameworks. 

At the University of Bristol, recent modelling work across Britain has identified Scotland as hosting the majority of ecologically suitable areas for rewilding. However, whilst the topic of rewilding continues to gain traction in the media, it is also divisive and contentious.

Our understanding of public perceptions of rewilding projects, and how these vary geographically, remains very limited. Whilst rewilding offers a promising ecological solution, to be viable in the long term, it must be part of a just transition. 

What we're doing

To tackle this critical question, an interdisciplinary team of academics and PhD students will undertake the first politically and nationally representative survey of public opinions on a range of rewilding practices in Scotland. These insights will be used to develop a set of policy recommendations (“The Bristol Rewilding Principles”) to inform evolving post-Brexit rural policy. 

How it helps

By better understanding public perceptions of rewilding, this research will support better, more inclusive conservation decisions. It will help ensure that future rewilding efforts are guided not only by science, but by the values and voices of local communities. 

 

Investigators

  • Dr Lauren Blake, Bristol Veterinary School 
  • Mia Arundel, School of Biological Sciences 
  • Dr Chris Clements, School of Biological Sciences 
  • Prof Jane Memmott, School of Biological Sciences 
  • Sarah Hunter, School of Geographical Sciences 
  • Dr James Palmer, School of Geographical Sciences 
  • Dr Max Stockdale, School of Geographical Sciences