Knepp Re-wilded

Image credit: Rewilding Europe

As I watched this video I fell in love with this couple who have turned their extensive farm acreage in England into a nature preserve, free-grazing livestock ranch, and retreat center for nature enthusiasts. It's exciting to me that people are embracing the importance of sharing this beautiful Earth with all the other plants and animals that call it home. There may be hope for us yet!

“Rewilding is about trusting the forces of nature to restore land and sea.” Raquel Filgueiras - Head of Rewilding Europe

Knepp Estate in Sussex, England has led the way in "rewilding" farms since the 1970s. Rewilding is also called "conservation farming" with the idea of allowing nature to take over. The caretakers have gradually allowed plants and animals to roam and grow without human intervention until it is time to take the livestock to market. This philosophy of farming is like taking one's hands off the steering wheel and believing that Nature herself knows how to heal the land as she finds wholeness again. Biodiversity has thrived on Knepp Estate as species roam free and live in balance with each other. Farm animals live in harmony with wild animals and ultimately, farmers have discovered that they can still make a living by working with nature.

Being a vegetarian, I'm not thrilled that they're still raising animals for consumption but, as Isabella says in one of the videos below, the animals have had about the best possible lives before being killed for meat. The fact that the project is economically viable means that it has a much better chance of continuing its long-term success. It definitely seems like a huge step in the right direction.

To watch the 15 min. video: LINK 

And another wonderful 18 min. video about the Knepp Estate: Isabella Tree's great adventure!