On World Rewilding Day 2025, we celebrate a simple but transformative idea: nature can heal, and we can help. This year, we celebrate it on March 20th, uniting people around the world in a shared mission to restore and reconnect with the wild.
Too often, we see the wild as something distant, an untouched paradise far from our daily lives. But that’s a myth. The wild isn’t somewhere else. It’s here. It’s us. And right now, it’s at a crossroads, caught between three converging crises: climate change, biodiversity loss, and the spread of disease.
The good news? The wild is also the solution. By restoring ecosystems, reintroducing species, and rethinking how we coexist with nature, we can heal the planet—and ourselves. And we don’t need to start from scratch. We don’t need to reinvent the world. We need to rewild it.
Rewilding isn’t just about bringing back lost species or restoring forests—it’s about changing the way we think. It’s about recognizing that human beings are not separate from nature but deeply interconnected with it. We are one species among many, bound to the same cycles of life that shape our planet. Rewilding is happening everywhere, from sprawling wilderness areas to city rooftops. And the most powerful thing about it? We’re not doing it alone. Rewilding is a collective effort—millions of people, communities, and organizations working together to bring life back to the landscapes we share.
A Year of Celebrating Nature
World Rewilding Day joins a series of important global events that highlight our connection to the natural world. Already this year, we’ve celebrated World Wetlands Day (February 2nd), emphasizing the importance of protecting wetlands for biodiversity and climate resilience. World Wildlife Day (March 3rd) reminded us of the urgent need to safeguard endangered species. And soon, we’ll observe Earth Day (April 22nd), a moment to amplify the call for global climate action. Each of these days contributes to a greater awareness of the environmental challenges we face and the solutions that rewilding can offer.
Rewilding Together: A Collective Effort for a Thriving Planet
Every small action, from planting native species in gardens to making sustainable consumer choices, contributes to restoring ecological balance. Whether we support conservation projects or advocate for policies that protect wild spaces, each effort plays a part in healing the planet.
However, rewilding has the greatest impact when we work together. When individuals, communities, businesses, scientists, and governments collaborate, we can restore damaged ecosystems, reintroduce key species, and safeguard wildlife. Supporting Indigenous communities—who have been stewards of the land for generations—is vital to preserving biodiversity. Advocating for stronger environmental policies and educating future generations ensures long-term protection for wild places.
#RewildingTogether is more than just a movement—it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that the health of the planet is deeply connected to our own well-being. By working collectively, we can create a future where nature flourishes and humanity thrives alongside it.
The Beginnings of World Rewilding Day
World Rewilding Day was first celebrated in 2021, born from the growing global movement to restore natural ecosystems and reintroduce native species. The initiative was launched by Rewilding Europe, a leading organization behind over 20 large-scale rewilding projects across Europe, in collaboration with more than 50 local conservation groups. The goal was to raise awareness about the importance of rewilding as a nature-based solution to climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. Since its inception, the day has aimed to inspire individuals, communities, and governments to take action in restoring wild places and promoting coexistence with nature.
Growing Support and Global Participation
Since its launch, World Rewilding Day has gained significant momentum, with more organizations joining the cause each year. Today, it is supported by more than 100 global conservation groups, including Re:wild, The Wild Foundation, and WWF, among others. Events and campaigns now span across continents, with notable rewilding projects highlighted in countries like Poland, where the European bison has been successfully reintroduced, and in South America, where coastal ecosystems are being restored. The rewilding movement has seen participation from over 30 countries, showcasing diverse ecosystems and keystone species in need of restoration. As awareness continues to grow, more regions and stakeholders—from local communities to policymakers—are embracing rewilding as a powerful strategy for ecological restoration, biodiversity preservation, and climate resilience.
A Growing Global Movement
With increasing support and involvement, World Rewilding Day has become a cornerstone of global conservation efforts. It brings together millions of people each year, united by the common goal of restoring our planet’s wild places. World Rewilding Day has sparked a wave of rewilding efforts, from educational campaigns to hands-on activities. These actions are helping restore nature’s balance around the world. With over 50 successful projects and a growing network of supporters, rewilding is becoming a key solution to the climate crisis and a vital step in protecting our ecosystems’ future.
The Many Faces of Rewilding
Rewilding brings together diverse groups working toward a common goal: restoring ecosystems and protecting wildlife. Indigenous communities play a key role by preserving sacred lands and passing down sustainable practices that have lasted for generations. Farmers are also making a difference by adopting regenerative methods that improve soil, water, and biodiversity while supporting local food systems. Fishers contribute by using sustainable practices to restore ocean ecosystems. Local communities are involved, too, replanting forests, cleaning rivers, and creating green spaces in cities, showing how small efforts can lead to big changes.
Policymakers and lawmakers help by creating laws that protect wild spaces and support rewilding projects. Scientists and innovators are finding new ways to restore ecosystems, like reintroducing species such as bison and wolves or using AI to monitor biodiversity. Governments and investors are backing conservation projects that rebuild lost habitats and ensure a sustainable future for both nature and people. Together, these efforts help create a healthier, wilder world. Leading organizations like Rewilding Europe, the Rewilding Institute, and the Global Rewilding Alliance are spearheading large-scale rewilding projects, connecting landscapes, restoring vital species, and engaging people globally in this vital cause. Through these efforts, rewilding is proving to be a powerful solution for reversing environmental degradation.
Bird Protection in Rewilding
Bird protection is a key part of rewilding, focusing on restoring habitats, reintroducing species, and managing ecosystems to help bird populations thrive. One great example is the Knepp Wildland project in West Sussex, England. Here, traditional farming has been replaced with free-roaming livestock to mimic natural processes. This approach has led to the return of rare birds, like the Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and European Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia turtur), showing how effective habitat restoration can be for bird conservation.
Reintroducing species is another important part of rewilding. Recently, the Galápagos Rail, a small bird, was seen on Floreana Island for the first time in nearly 200 years. This success followed efforts to remove invasive predators, allowing native birds to recover and return to their natural habitats. The comeback of this species highlights the power of well-planned rewilding projects to restore ecological balance.
Ecological management is also crucial for bird protection in rewilding efforts. In New Zealand, Bushy Park Tarapuruhi has used pest-exclusion measures and removed invasive species to create a safe space for native birds. As a result, birds like the North Island Robin (Petroica longipes) and the North Island Saddleback (Philesturnus rufusater) have successfully been reintroduced, and their populations are growing. These projects show how vital active management is to rewilding success, helping to create a future where bird populations can thrive.
Rewilding in Action: Key Developments
Rewilding projects are gaining momentum across Europe, making significant strides toward restoring biodiversity and balancing ecosystems. In Romania, the reintroduction of the European bison is playing a key role in reshaping forests and grasslands. It enhances habitat quality for other species. Similarly, in Portugal, the bison’s return helps regenerate vital areas of forest. In the Netherlands, the Prezwalski horse has been reintroduced to manage natural landscapes. They prevent overgrowth and encourage biodiversity. Over in Eastern Europe, the reintroduction of Lynx to the Carpathian Mountains has proven effective in controlling smaller predators like wild boars. In this way, it provides healthier populations of other species and improves the balance of the ecosystem.
Rewilding efforts extend far beyond Europe, making a global impact. In North America, the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative connects large, fragmented landscapes. This creates wildlife corridors for animals to roam freely and safely. In Africa, community-led conservation projects are bringing back elephants, lions, and rhinos to areas where they had disappeared. Australia is working to reintroduce the Eastern Curlew and other endangered species. These efforts are crucial for restoring wetlands and boosting biodiversity. Whether in wild or urban areas, these projects show that rewilding helps both nature and people.
GET INVOLVED in World Rewilding Day 2025
World Rewilding Day 2025 is almost here, and there are many ways for you to get involved in this global movement. A simple way to help is by engaging on social media. Follow and share posts using official hashtags like #WorldRewildingDay, #RewildingTogether, #Innovation, and #GenerationRestoration. By liking, sharing, and reposting inspiring stories, you’ll help spread the word about successful rewilding projects worldwide.
If you want more resources, check out our Social Media Toolkit. We’re finalizing it, and soon it will be available to help you get the most out of your social media engagement. The toolkit will provide images, campaign materials, and tips for talking about rewilding, making it easy to raise awareness and inspire others to join in.
You can also attend one of the many events happening around the world to celebrate World Rewilding Day 2025. From community meetups to large conservation gatherings, there will be something for everyone. We’ll keep updating the list of events, so check back regularly to find one near you. Your participation will help raise awareness and show your support for the global rewilding movement.
World Rewilding Day 2025: For A Stronger, Wilder Future
World Rewilding Day 2025 is a chance for all of us to think about how we can help restore nature. Whether it’s sharing stories, attending events, or supporting the rewilding community, every action counts. What really stands out to me is the creativity and passion of the people and groups leading these projects. Their drive to restore habitats and bring back species is inspiring and vital for building a sustainable future.
As we move forward, it’s important to remember that every step, big or small, contributes to the bigger picture of ecological recovery. By staying informed, getting involved, and supporting initiatives that focus on the health of our planet, we can help create a world where nature and wildlife thrive. The rewilding movement shows what’s possible when we unite to protect and heal the environment for future generations.
Are you ready to rewild?