The pandemic induced an accidental 'rewilding' in many places as animals took over cities and streets devoid of humans. As we emerge from our isolation, can we co-exist peacefully?
Writing from the perspective of an urban deer observing our post-pandemic return to a world where animals have repopulated areas they'd previously abandoned, John Yunker reminds us that "rewilding is a two-way street. As we become more visible, especially in places you’ve never seen us, you may need to rewild your own worldview." To keep newly visible wildlife safe and comfortable among us, Yunker writes, we must slow down when driving our cars, keep our eyes open, and accept a few creatures nibbling on our lawns or gardens.
"Rewilding is not just about letting a few species run free far away from human civilization. It’s about allowing our world to cross over into your world." According to the Rewilding Institute, "rewilding is comprehensive, often large-scale, conservation effort focused on restoring sustainable biodiversity and ecosystem health by protecting core wild/wilderness areas, providing connectivity between such areas, and protecting or reintroducing apex predators and highly interactive species (keystone species)." Rewilding can promote regeneration and resiliency with minimal human intervention.
The upside for humans, Yunker says, is huge: "As you return to your offices and begin to daydream about escaping into the wilderness, take a moment to gaze out your window. The wilderness is coming to you."
FULL STORY: Rewilding is a two-way street
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