A blog post about the paper ‘Five critical questions we should ask of rewilding projects—And that social science can help us answer‘, by Emma Cary, Karen Jones, Virginia Thomas, Signe Brieghel, Ana Payo Payo, Flurina M. Wartmann, first published: 17 July 2025, by Associate Editor Emmeline Topp.

Read the full paper here.

In many cases, rewilding projects take place in locations that are shaped by past and present human activities. Such as this rewilding project in the UK, previously used for mining and still a site of wind energy production, alongside rewilding activities.
Image credit: Emma Cary.

Rewilding is a conservation and restoration approach that has gained much scientific and public attention in recent years. It centres on the restoration of natural ecological processes and communities across landscapes, and includes the reintroduction of native wildlife species. Scientists, practitioners and governments have become excited about the potential of rewilding to address the biodiversity crisis at both the global and local scale.

Rewilding projects are now taking place all over the world. With this increasing momentum comes hot debate over the effectiveness and benefits of the approach. There is also understanding that rewilding is not only an ecological process, but a social one. Therefore, alongside the ecological critique on the best way to go about rewilding, there is a need to assess the concept with a social science perspective, to ensure socially acceptable and effective outcomes.

A new paper by Cary et al. in People and Nature addresses this need. The authors employ social science disciplines to critically examine central questions around rewilding, particularly with regards to social justice. For example, the question of rights and agency of restored species is explored through a multi-species justice lens that stems from anthropology. The question of who benefits from rewilding and if inequalities are reproduced during the decision-making process is explored through the lens of political science. By careful interrogation, the authors shine a light on the importance of considering social justice in rewilding programs, and provide food for thought on the potential pitfalls and weaknesses of rewilding projects with regards to social and cultural actions.

This paper will be pertinent to anyone with an interest in rewilding, be they citizen, scientist, practitioner or policy-maker. It will certainly stimulate further debate over rewilding process and outcomes, and possibly inspire engagement with social justice issues in the design of rewilding programs. The paper also highlights the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to ecology, and how it is essential to assess relationships and human values for better management of social-ecological systems. This sits well with the interdisciplinary scope and focus of People and Nature.

Read the full paper here.