Do you really know? What is rewilding?
Feb 1, 2026
A brisk look at mass extinctions and the current wave of biodiversity loss. A comparison of conventional protected areas with giving land back to nature. An explanation of rewilding goals and how people can set conditions then step back. A spotlight on Yellowstone’s wolf return and rewilding projects across Europe.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Human-Caused Sixth Mass Extinction
- A sixth mass extinction is underway, driven by human activity rather than natural events.
- Rewilding reframes conservation from protectionism to restoring self-regulating ecosystems.
Start, Then Step Back
- Give land back to nature by removing barriers and reintroducing species to kickstart recovery.
- Then step back quickly and let natural processes restore ecosystems with minimal human management.
Ecosystem Recovery Benefits Humans
- Restored, self-regulating ecosystems increase resilience to climate change and deliver clean air and water.
- Recovering keystone species reactivates critical ecological processes across landscapes.