Governing with nature: a European perspective on putting rewilding principles into practice

Area of Science:

• Conservation Science
• Ecology
• Environmental Management

Background:

• Academic rewilding discourse is shifting towards research agendas.
• Integrating practical rewilding knowledge enhances research design quality.
• Rewilding Europe, established in 2011, supports a specific rewilding model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the conceptual origins and case examples of a Dutch Delta rewilding model.
• To position this rewilding approach relative to other models (e.g., US 3C's).
• To explore the potential and constraints for scaling up rewilding initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of conceptual origins of a rewilding mode.
• Presentation of six case study examples from the Dutch Delta.
• Comparison with the US 3C's rewilding version.

Main Results:

• A rewilding philosophy characterized by pragmatic realism and pioneer projects.
• Formation of multiactor networks around projects, fostering policy innovation.
• Identification of institutional cultures, conservation finance, and business models as scaling constraints.

Conclusions:

• Rewilding models require innovations in conservation finance and business models for scaling.
• The European Rewilding Network offers assets for ecological and social science research.
• Applied scientists should view rewilding as an unfolding approach, avoiding pre-determined targets to preserve transformative potential.