The WildernessThe Wilderness

Rewilding is a scientific method for achieving a wilder nature. A great place to start is by gaining a basic understanding of the principles behind it. And so you’ve already come to the right place!

There is also a wealth of materials on the subject—books, articles, and even films—that can help you build a solid foundation.

If you’re working with a larger area to be rewilded, seeking expert advice is essential.

To measure the impact of your initiative, you must start with baseline surveys. Examine the area you plan to rewild and determine what is already there.

Are there any endangered or protected species that require special considerations at the beginning of your project? What has been recorded in species databases like arter.dk? You may also find valuable insights from local ornithologists, botanists, and other experts.

Next, establish control plots to continuously document the effects of your initiatives. These can, for example, reveal the difference between year-round grazing and summer grazing, as well as whether factors like weather conditions influence your results.

There are many rules and laws in the Danish landscape: protected habitats, protected species, nature reserves, historical monuments, neighbor considerations, land registrations, and much more.

Therefore, there may be many necessary permits and exemptions from authorities that you need to obtain before you can get started.

Many municipalities are happy to offer advice and engage in dialogue.

It is, of course, important that the finances add up. Many municipalities can offer financial assistance for fencing, wetlands, and more.

Additionally, you may be eligible to apply for grazing subsidies from the Agricultural Agency.

Create a budget—both for the startup and ongoing operations. You might consider seeking help from an agricultural advisor for this.

In an agricultural country like Denmark, fencing is a prerequisite for wild nature. Otherwise, the large herbivores would venture out into the fields, where the food is nutrient-rich and easily accessible, thus losing the beneficial effect they could have had on the landscape.

The fence also helps ensure the right grazing pressure in the area and prevents animals from wandering into traffic or cities. The larger the enclosure, the wilder nature can be obtained, as the number of species is linked to the size of the area.

Which type of fence, how it should be placed, and where to have gates, openings, and cattle grids depends on the possibilities. It's a good idea to team up with others who have experience with this.

Although the auroch and wild horse are extinct, their genes live on in today’s horse and cattle breeds. In rewilding, therefore, primitive and hardy breeds—known as proxy animals—are used, as they can largely fulfill the same roles in nature.

Extensive year-round grazing without supplemental feeding is optimal for biodiversity. One reason is that many species struggling in today's nature have evolved in interaction with large herbivores. They depend on the effects these large animals have on the landscape.

The number of animals introduced must, of course, match the area’s natural food resources, and there are several conditions in the animal welfare law that must be followed, including supervision.

The vast majority of Denmark's landscape is drained. Since the beginning of agriculture, the focus has been on taming water to prevent it from damaging crops. However, in doing so, we have also tamed the natural dynamics of water and all the biodiversity connected to it.

So-called temporary wetlands are particularly important, as the water's dynamic—both flooding and drying out over the course of a year—is crucial for many species.

There are also many regulations and considerations to be aware of, so this work must be done in collaboration with authorities and experts.

In most of Denmark, forest will grow on its own, both because of the seeds already in the soil and due to seeds being spread by wind and animals to new areas. Naturally grown forests will always be much more varied and species-rich than planted forests.

In fact, wide inner and outer forest edges with transition zones are some of the most species-rich nature we have in Denmark.

Give large herbivores access to the forest, and they will help keep it open and light, benefiting many other species.

For centuries, farmers have removed rocks from the fields to cultivate the land. You can put those rocks back, thereby reestablishing a natural landscape element that is crucial for insects, mosses, lichens, and many other species.

Erosion and fire can be more difficult to "release" in the landscape, but controlled nature burns and surface scraping may be an option. It may sound paradoxical, but destruction helps create variation, which is a condition for biodiversity.

Monitor the development and share your data and experiences—both with peers and the public.

You can record your observations in the Danish species database at arter.dk. We recommend systematic monitoring, but it can be expensive to hire consultants. BioBlitz is an opportunity to engage volunteers, who can also help spread awareness about the project.