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Rewilding Our World Conference 2025: Turning Vision into Action
Wolfheze, Netherlands – September 2025
The Rewilding Our World 2025 Conference brought together conservationists, scientists, policymakers, and community leaders from across the globe for two transformative days of dialogue, inspiration, and action. Hosted by the Rewilding Academy, the event highlighted how rewilding connects science, culture, and community in the urgent task of restoring life on Earth.
Rewilding the Mind and the Landscape
Opening the conference, Michele Robson, Rewilding Academy’s Head of Communications, set the tone for an inclusive and collaborative movement to heal ecosystems and societies alike. With humor and humanity, stand-up comedian Rogier Bak reminded participants that “rewilding begins with the mind,” blending laughter with reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature.
Keynote speaker Dr. Purnima Devi Barman, known as India’s Stork Sister, shared how her “Hargila Army” of over 20,000 women transformed local stigma into pride, protecting the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork through community-led conservation. “Conservation isn’t just science — it’s solidarity,” she said, capturing the human heart of rewilding.
Science, Heritage, and the Wild Within
Pioneering ecologist Dr. Frans Vera revisited his influential wood-pasture hypothesis, showing how large herbivores such as deer, cattle, and horses shape dynamic, mosaic landscapes. His message — “Rewilding is not just about letting go, it’s about letting nature work” — resonated across disciplines.
In a moving moment, Leo Linnartz of the Rewilding Academy presented the first copies of his new book Natuurlijke Processen in Nederland (Natural Processes in the Netherlands) to Frans Vera, Liesbeth Bakker, and Patrick Jansen. His talk highlighted how megafauna are “engineers of our future,” illustrating the self-regulating processes that underpin resilient ecosystems.
Sir Humphry Wakefield connected rewilding with heritage and moral responsibility, drawing on decades of restoration experience globally and at Chillingham Castle. His reflections on the power of belief in ecological renewal were echoed throughout the conference: when people act boldly, “even deserts can bloom.”
Rewilding Across Scales and Continents
Speakers such as Derek Gow, Dr. Sulaiman Tameer, and Prof. Danielle Schreve brought international and scientific perspectives to the fore — from species reintroductions in the UK to conservation in post-conflict Iraq and lessons from deep-time ecology. Together, they underscored that rewilding requires courage, collaboration, and an openness to complexity.
On Day 2, Prof. Liesbeth Bakker, the Netherlands’ first Professor of Rewilding Ecology, demonstrated that wildness and productivity can coexist — even in human-dominated landscapes. “We don’t need to wait for empty spaces,” she urged, “we need to make space in the world we already share.”
From Agriwilding to Climate Action
Sessions on agriwilding with Dr. Euridice Leyequien and Wouter van Eck showed how food production and ecosystem recovery can go hand in hand. Reinier van den Berg, meteorologist and environmental journalist, framed rewilding as both a climate and resilience strategy, while Prof. Raoul Beunen called for “rewilding our institutions” to enable more adaptive and nature-driven governance.
Art, Technology, and the Power of Connection
From live art created by Nick Viney to innovative conservation technology shared by Rob Spurrett, the conference demonstrated how creativity and connectivity can amplify restoration efforts. The final art piece was auctioned by Derek Gow, with Sir Humphry Wakefield securing the winning bid to support grassroots rewilding initiatives.
The Global Rewilding Manifesto
One of the most powerful moments came with the presentation of the Global Rewilding Manifesto by Frans Vera — a collective call to action linking local initiatives to a worldwide movement for biodiversity, climate resilience, and ecological justice. “When we reconnect fragmented pieces of nature,” Vera said, “something extraordinary happens — not 1 + 1 = 2, but 1 + 1 = 8.”
Looking Ahead
As the two-day event drew to a close, participants reflected on the unity and momentum forged at Wolfheze. From laughter and learning to legacy and leadership, Rewilding Our World 2025 reaffirmed that rewilding is more than conservation — it is a movement to restore balance between people and planet.
The message that carried through every session was clear: the future of rewilding belongs to those who act boldly, listen deeply, and trust in nature’s power to heal.
Discover more highlights, speaker insights, and resources from the conference at Rewilding Our World.
Explore the
Global Rewilding Manifesto
A shared vision for a wilder, healthier planet — download your copy and be part of the change.
