Connecting modern societies with wilder nature through development of nature-inclusive economies

Our relationship with nature needs a paradigm shift. Nature should no longer be considered as a vulnerable domain of conservationists that have to protect it against human threats. It should, on the contrary, be seen as a strong ally for all of us. An ally that can take care of itself, but also can help in solving modern socio-economic issues like climate adaptation, water management, sustainable food production and recreation. The big question is: are we clever enough to cope with this strong force? Rewilding Europe is developing a vision in which natural processes become vital in shaping our landscapes. Large showcases of more than 100.000 ha in different parts of the continent should prove the concept. Here we explore our hypothesis that the more we let nature take care of itself, the less need for conservation; the lower the costs will be. Here we test better practices in economic sectors that integrate natural solutions in their business models, thus becoming more sustainable and creating new incentives to reconnect people and nature. The presentation will show the results after seven years of testing these models in a growing European network of rewilding areas. Tools that are developed to support these models will be explained like the European Rewilding Network, the European Wildlife Bank, European Safari Company and Rewilding Europe Capital. The latter being the first European loan facility to help start-ups and existing rural entrepreneurs to set up rewilding businesses that not only benefit from wilder nature, but also contribute to a more natural development of the surrounding areas. Having a track record with ca. 20 rewilding enterprises, Rewilding Europe was in 2017 the first organization to sign a contract with the European Investment Bank to develop a much larger loan facility that offers the opportunity to close deals with forest companies, water managers and other economic sectors that could contribute to rewilding by changing towards more sustainable business models. Examples are dam-removal in combination with the restoration of sustainable fisheries in living rivers. Or natural grazing as an answer on wildfires in the Mediterranean. Carbon sequestration or biodiversity offsetting could also be driving forces for rewilding. The presentation will end with these and other possibilities that emerge with rewilding as a new conservation narrative.peerReviewe