The Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a coalition of more than 20 organisations, has launched an ambitious fundraising drive to raise £200,000 in just one week. The campaign, which is backed by Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, aims to make Scotland the first Rewilding Nation and is calling on the Scottish Government to commit to nature recovery across 30% of the country.
In a message of support posted to his 62 million followers on Instagram last week, DiCaprio said: “With this campaign, Scotland could be a world leader in rewilding its landscapes, ensuring clean air and water, storing carbon, reducing flooding, restoring wildlife, and improving the lives of locals.”
The campaign, which runs from 18-25 April, is part of the Big Give Green Match Fund. All donations will be matched by Big Give.
Rewilding Britain’s Rewilding Director and steering group member of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, Kevin Cumming, said: “We’re urging people from all walks of life to support the Rewilding Nation campaign. This is about creating a groundswell of hope for a greener, fairer Scotland in which communities and nature thrive together.”
Cumming added: “Rewilding is about tackling the nature and climate emergencies, while offering a cascade of benefits for people – including better health, new jobs, food security, and healthy rivers and seas.”
Funds raised during the Big Give week will support outreach to the Scottish Government, politicians, and communities, including through an extensive series of events this summer, a new community rewilding guide, and by making the campaign widely accessible in Gaelic.
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance plans dynamic and creative approaches to showcase how rewilding offers hope for tackling biodiversity loss and climate breakdown, while offering major social and economic benefits. This will include initiatives involving young people, many of whom say they are extremely worried about the uncertain future posed by the climate and nature crises.
One of the Alliance’s members, Trees for Life, has extended an open invitation to Leonardo DiCaprio to visit the charity’s Dundreggan Rewilding Centre near Loch Ness in the Highlands. The centre celebrates rewilding and Gaelic culture and offers a gateway for visitors to explore Trees for Life’s Dundreggan estate, which is part of Affric Highlands, the UK’s biggest rewilding landscape.
Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, with intensive agriculture and climate breakdown having the biggest impacts on habitats and wildlife, along with other threats such as non-native forestry, pollution, and introduced species, research shows.
According to the Alliance, rewilding 30% of Scotland can be achieved by restoring habitats including peatlands, native woodlands, wetlands, rivers, and seas, without any loss of productive farmland. A Rewilding Nation Charter, which calls on the Scottish Government to declare Scotland a rewilding nation, has already been signed by thousands of people.
To support the campaign and donate, visit https://bit.ly/BigGiveRewildingNation.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.