Nearly Wild

As climate change presents us with unprecedented environmental conditions for our time

To what extent should we look to the past to guide nature recovery?

Or should we be totally rethinking our approaches to conservation?

can care for and enhance what we have (not a good record of this so far.) Imo we let nature lead, see which ecosystems / or species tolerate changing conditions, and which need help with new key pieces or relocating. Each needs site by site consideration, ask "What is best for *this* place?

If we are not certain of how climate change will play out - (wetter / hotter / colder/ drier?) Best bet may be to focus on optimizing existing ecosystem resilience, enhancing biodiversity, and upgrading natural water infrastructure (beavers can help). Before we replace ecosystems, let's see how we

A new wetland restoration project on private land evolving in the Slocan Valley, BC with the support of the landowners and @srstreamkeepers.bsky.social and BCWF.

Der gestern im Online-Forum "Naturnahe Beweidung im Fokus" gehaltene Vortrag des Neubrandenburger Paläo- & Naturschutzbiologen Prof. Dr. Robert Sommer ist online. Eine hochspannende Melange mit Handreichung zwischen diesen scheinbar so unterschiedlichen Disziplinen.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tODb...

Dense, dark forests in Europe are a modern phenomenon A new, comprehensive study shows that Europe’s landscapes over the past more than 20 million years have predominantly been a mosaic of grasslands, scrub and woodlands of varying density. A light...

Dense, dark forests in Europe are a modern phenomenon - Europe’s landscapes for 23 Myr were mostly tree- & flower-rich mosaics shaped by large herbivores, not dense #forests, see our new synthesis www.eurekalert.org/news-release... #forests #woodlands #paleoecology #nature #trees #refiorestation

Revisiting Europe's temperate forests: Palaeoecological evidence for an herbivory-driven woodland-grassland mosaic biome Understanding the pre-Homo sapiens baseline of the temperate forest biome is crucial for interpreting present-day biodiversity patterns, ecosystem fun…

"Europe's woodland mosaic biome and biota evolved under sustained large-herbivore-mediated processes, and the loss of these dynamics has fundamentally altered its structure and functioning."

YouTube video by Valhalla Wilderness Findings in the Rainbow-Jordan Wilderness - Amber Peters 2019 CRED Talk

Findings in the Rainbow-Jordan Wilderness - Amber Peters 2019 CRED Talk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMVu...

Saved an old apple tree.

A heavy snow brought it down before christmas and with half the roots being pulled out a decision was made not to disturb them any more and prune what remained back into a viable tree.

Protected areas are boundary objects that facilitate multiple connections between people and nature. Marion Jay showcases narratives of nature experiences by visitors & users of Natura 2000 reserves in Germany in our #PeopleNatureLandscapesBlog. medium.com/people-natur...

This thick, brambly hedge on S Devon coast produced 2 Firecrests and 3 Cirl Buntings with Navelwort, Stinking Iris and Hartstongue growing on the bank.

Lunar Year of the #Horse: Four environmental lessons we can learn from #equines

https://www.rfr.bz/bccea3a

Mummified cheetahs found in Saudi caves could shape rewilding plans Researchers exploring a cave network in northern Saudi Arabia have made an unexpected find: seven naturally mummified cheetahs, along with the skeletal remains of 54 more, preserved for up to ...

Researchers discovered mummified #cheetah remains in #SaudiArabia caves that revealed the presence of two distinct subspecies, providing valuable genetic insights to inform future cheetah #restoration efforts in the region.

https://www.rfr.bz/bef79e0

Ancient stepwells brought back to life as India begins to run out of water Centuries-old wells restored to provide drinking water as parts of the country head towards “day zero” when no water will be available

Great to see India's restoration of traditional water management is expanding. I wrote about Tamil Nadu's eris system for @biographic.bsky.social and in my book, Water Always Wins. Good story by @shomaabhyankar.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

🌿@ipbes.net defined archetypes of human-relationships, the "Life Frames" (living in, as, from & with nature). How do life frames define the perception of nature's values by residents around protected areas? Our new study, out now in "Biological Conservation", led by M. Jay.
🔗 doi.org/10.1016/j.bi...

Full on day today, planting over 300 wildflowers on a south facing wildflower meadow that I manage in Yorkshire. We are looking to improve floral diversity to encourage more insects. Looking forward to seeing this one develop! 🌺🌱

New maps out today! Saiga once teetering on the brink of extinction now migrate in the millions across the Kazakh Steppe. Learn about the challenges they face on their long distance journeys here: cms.int/gium/migrati...
@acbk.bsky.social

YouTube video by Xerantha Global Earth Repair Convergence May 7-11 2026

Global Earth Repair Convergence May 7-11 2026
I'll be presenting remotely.
Looking forward to it!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=psA7...

Lichen ensemble says what up 🎷🎶

Great graphic from @pewenvironment.bsky.social showing how road crossings work

One wildlife crossing can prevent 1,400 accidents over its lifetime, saving lives & billions of $, according to a Scioto Analysis report

Investing in these bridges + underpasses is a win-win for drivers and wildlife 🌰

Billions of animals make migratory journeys each year, crossing national boundaries and continents to feed and breed. As they travel, they transport nutrients and food sources, spread seeds and pollen, and help maintain predator-prey balance. By doing so they connect habitats and sustain ecosystems.

With other mega-herbivores on the scene since 66 million years ago (not counting dinos) , it was a long run. What we have in the last 10k years is a novel experiment in ecosystems minus the primary functional pieces.

! !

Did you get a bit of rain? How did they hold up?

Maybe elephants would scare away the muntjac? 😉

There may be a time when you are drifting off to sleep when you suddenly sit bolt upright with the realization that the missing ecological puzzle piece essential for proper global ecosystem function is elephants.

YouTube video by Pixar Hoppers | Official Trailer

youtu.be/PypDSyIRRSs?...

Fascinating good news article, touches not only lion-livestock co-existence, but also removal of some of the veterinary cordon fences that are infamous in grassland / fence ecology worlds for having decimated Southern Africa migrations. The heart of it: funding and restoring lost herding practice

Planting trees is not rewilding

Reintroducing species is not rewilding

Individual actions are not in themselves rewilding

To contribute to rewilding, they should be part of a bigger plan to let natural processes come to dominate in an area

The timing and ecological consequences of the late Pleistocene megafaunal declines on the Isthmus of Panama: Implications for trophic rewilding The timing and ecological consequences of Late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions in Central America remain poorly resolved, limiting our understanding…

Interested in the Late Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions? 🦥🦣

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

YES! My next book will be partly about this.