rewilding

1 of 2

noun

re·​wild·​ing (ˌ)rē-ˈwī(-ə)l-diŋ 

: an effort to increase biodiversity and restore the natural processes of an ecosystem that typically involves reducing or ceasing human activity and often the planned reintroduction of a plant or animal species and especially a keystone species

Rewilding—giving nature the space and opportunity to express itself—is largely a leap of faith.

—Isabella Tree

Large-scale domestic rewilding projects include dam removal in the Pacific Northwest and in the Northeast to facilitate the return of several endangered species of salmon, as well as reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park, which stabilized and reinvigorated the ecosystem.

—Carey Smith

The concept of rewilding creates hope; it gives the opportunity to set things right, to link protected areas through corridors, to bring back species once lost, and to revitalize our forests, rivers, and wetlands with all forms of life.

—Bahar Dutt

The truth of when this forest actually existed and why it disappeared is murky. … Now, a group of visionary conservationists and ecotourism companies are working to revive the landscape through rewilding.

—Chloe Berge

rewilding

2 of 2

present participle of rewild

Examples of rewilding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Tourism projects in Romania, Argentina, Zimbabwe, and beyond are helping fund many large-scale rewilding efforts, underscoring that with proper care—removal of invasive species, reforestation, reintroduction of endemic fauna and flora—the land can heal. —Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026

The hotel also supports various local conservation projects, including Restinga, aimed at preserving the surrounding coastline through rewilding. —Laura French, TheWeek, 16 Mar. 2026

Or, as the NGO’s name implies, rewilding. —Mark Johanson, Outside, 14 Mar. 2026

As sweeping changes to the federal Clean Water Act in recent years have weakened protections for wetlands, Illinois has become the first state in the nation to officially recognize a conservation tactic known as rewilding. —Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

rewild + -ing entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1993, in the meaning defined above