rewilding
ree-WYL-ding
Definition
The process of restoring an area of land to its natural, uncultivated state by allowing native plants and wildlife to return.
Etymology
The word is a modern construction using the prefix 're-' (meaning again or back) and the word 'wild' (or 'wilding'). It emerged in the late 20th century within the field of conservation biology to describe a shift from managing land for human use to allowing nature to take its own course.
In the news
Katie VandenBerg describes her project of restoring 43 acres of farmland into native prairie as 'rewilding.' It highlights her personal commitment to land conservation in contrast to the surrounding chemical-intensive industrial farms.
As study shows pesticides drifting onto Illinois schools and parks, residents push for better tracking
Read the full article ↗Chicago Tribune