Is not possible. Instead of exploring near and far, having adventures by getting to know different cultures and people, I have learned the pleasure of appreciating my local neighborhood and the urban wildlife that is slowly taking over cities.
Though I personally have heard the term rewilding cities only recently, the concept is not new. Permaculture, natural parks and botanical gardens have tried to retain an aspect of nature in most cities. But there is something in the term rewilding that opens different possibilities and echoes a note of freedom, change and rebellion. At a time when we are all focused on surviving, should we not also consider how to make nature thrive?
Rewilding is a type of conservation process that allows nature to take over land, encouraging the ecosystem to restore itself over time so to recover from degradation. Many cities, from New York to London are running rewilding projects, encouraging species to return to urban settings and nature to thrive in unsought spaces. The concept is theoretically beautiful, humans and nature cohabiting and sharing spaces.
I am lucky enough to be stuck in an area of London that has examples of this. The Walthamstow Wetlands, argued to be largest wetlands in Europe, are an example of rewilding efforts in the city. This is a haven for many, for the birds, animals that call it home as well as for the people that come for a respite from city life and to teach young ones about nature. The Wetlands have become a familiar spot for me, somewhere I go to when I need to see a reflection of trees in large bodies of water, when I want to volunteer with like minded people and or when I need a break from writing at my table (in different times). During this pandemic, I have come to appreciate how lucky we are to have the wetlands and other similar projects that try to bridge the gap between city living and nature.
Not being able to travel is making me appreciate how important it is not only to advocate for sustainability, but actively trying to bring it in the most unlikely of places and supporting projects that try to change our mind on what cities are supposed to be. The UN has dedicated the next decade 2021- 2030 to Ecosystem Restoration, and I look forward to raising awareness and sharing the beauty of rewilding during this. In the absence of stimuli of new cultures, sounds and smells, I take my joy from rediscovering the opportunities nature presents us that may well lead to new experiences, sounds and smells.
