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Wilding
Wilding | Isabella Tree
50 posts | 28 read | 37 to read
Forced to accept that intensive farming on the heavy clay of their land at Knepp in West Sussex was economically unsustainable, Isabella Tree and her husband Charlie Burrell made a spectacular leap of faith: they decided to step back and let nature take over. Thanks to the introduction of free-roaming cattle, ponies, pigs and deer - proxies of the large animals that once roamed Britain - the 3,500 acre project has seen extraordinary increases in wildlife numbers and diversity in little over a decade. Once-common species, including turtle doves, nightingales, peregrine falcons, lesser spotted woodpeckers and purple emperor butterflies, are now breeding at Knepp, and populations of other species are rocketing. The Burrells' degraded agricultural land has become a functioning ecosystem again, heaving with life - all by itself. This recovery has taken place against a backdrop of catastrophic loss elsewhere. According to the 2016 'State of Nature' report, the UK is ranked 29th in the world for biodiversity loss: 56% of species in the UK are in decline and 15% are threatened with extinction. We are living in a desert, compared with our gloriously wild past.In Wilding, Isabella Tree tells the story of the 'Knepp experiment' and what it reveals of the ways in which we might regain that wilder, richer country. It shows how rewilding works across Europe; that it has multiple benefits for the land; that it can generate economic activity and employment; how it can benefit both nature and us - and that all of this can happen astonishingly quickly. Part gripping memoir, part fascinating account of the ecology of our countryside, Wilding is, above all, an inspiring story of hope.
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review
RobES
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Pickpick

This is such an important read! For someone who doesn't know enough about conservation, it is a tough read, in that I had to keep going back over parts to understand what I was reading . .. but it is worth it. The illustrated edition is so beautiful and Angela Harding's prints are gorgeous 🥰 it is really good to share with children.

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RobES
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Happy Friday! Cats and books ... My favourite things 🩷 I'm currently reading 'Wilding' by Isabella Tree.

dabbe 🖤🐾🐾🖤 2mo
33 likes1 comment
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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#Naturalitsy #Litsolace #MidsummerSolace

Remember when Wilding was our #buddyread last year? There's now a film of the whole rewilding process, which looks fantastic. It looks a similar style to The Biggest Little Farm.
https://www.biggestlittlefarmmovie.com/

https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/jun/11/wilding-review-green-conser...

TheBookHippie Oh!!!! 6mo
AnnCrystal 💝💝💝. 6mo
28 likes2 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Pickpick

Pictured alongside photos from my attempts at making a better landscape for pollinators and fostering a native environment in my own backyard, Wilding is further inspiration to continue my efforts! Finally got around to finishing this #NaturaLitsy read. Though focused on British flora and fauna there are many environments mentioned throughout. Why did I know so little about the turtledove? I hope this movement continues across the globe!

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wordslinger42
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Pickpick

What a phenomenal book!! I'm so glad to have jumped back into the #naturalitsy group when I did so that I didn't miss out on reading this 💚 I'm definitely going to keep up-to-date on what's happening at Knepp!

Now, here's hoping I can finish The Language of Butterflies before the end of this month, so I can actually be reading June's book at the same time as the rest of the group 😂

@AllDebooks

AllDebooks So glad you enjoyed it 😊 2y
28 likes1 comment
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Pickpick

I fully enjoyed this story of returning an old English estate farm back to its natural roots and as the project continued the unexpected surprises that emerged as one resurgence led to other species returns and rebounds. And interesting how much this is still a fight with both the community & government to let “good land go to waste” even now as we pay farms not to produce and watch species fall into extinction.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Thank you for another great book find & read #NaturaLitsy 2y
AllDebooks So pleased you enjoyed it x 2y
52 likes2 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#LoveBird works for this book I‘m so many ways!

#Pantone2023 @Clwojick

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jlhammar
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Pickpick

Loved this book! I was completely captivated from beginning to end. The story of rewilding the Knepp Estate is amazing, surprising and inspiring. Just signed-up for their newsletter so I can follow their projects going forward. #NaturaLitsy

AllDebooks Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it 😊 2y
59 likes2 comments
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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#Naturalitsy

Our final discussion thread for Wilding.
Have you enjoyed it?
Do you have any particular likes/dislikes?
Has it changed your way of thinking about how we maintain and protect our wild spaces, including our own gardens?
Please let loose with your thoughts🤔🌱🐾🌼🐖

📚 Next up - The language of butterflies, starts Monday 8th May. 📚

See All 30 Comments
sebrittainclark I was unfamiliar with the concept of rewilding, so I really enjoyed that and the descriptions of Knepp. I felt like some of the science, especially towards the end, was fairly biased towards all the things Knepp is doing being the only right way, and I really didn't like the bit where the author made the claim that raw milk would reduce certai childhood conditions, so I had fairly mixed feelings in the end. 2y
Cuilin My name wasn‘t tagged so I‘m glad I caught this. I really enjoyed it overall. However the tone got a bit self- satisfied and pompous towards the end. I don‘t know what science she was reading about food and nutrition or the idea that any slaughterhouse is humane. The clue is in the name. I really think she was trying to justify the culling of the longhorns. It would‘ve been better to just state that they had to change their plans. 2y
Cuilin The return of bugs, birds, grasses and plants was delightful. 2y
jlhammar Well, I absolutely loved this book! I was so surprised to learn that the Catholics used to eat beavers during Lent and on Holy Days because they were categorized as fish (making them permissible). Also had no idea that beavers were nocturnal. The insights of Temple Grandin were pretty cool. And the Tamworth pigs diving for mussels - wow! 2y
Cuilin @sebrittainclark same. The science was a bit nebulous. 2y
jlhammar Oh, and the health services finding that “hospital patients need fewer painkillers after surgery and recover much faster if they have views of nature from their beds“ really stood out to me. Makes a lot of sense, but I hadn't heard about that study before. 2y
TEArificbooks I found the nature bits interesting, especially about the trees and animals. I am glad they have found some successes. The beaver chapter was my favorite. I do think she has a pompous attitude kinda “my way is the only way and will fix 500 years of engineers and farmers being stupid and bureaucracy sucks” bit hypercritical at the end “kids should run wild outside but not on my land” 2y
AllDebooks @sebrittainclark I agree, about the mixed feelings. An awful lot of snobbery and self congratulatory comments, which is annoying when she freelt admits her and Charlie knew nothing at the start. Knepp's success is due to their vision, a legion of professional support, experience and knowledge and crucially, gov and EU subsidised income. 2y
AllDebooks @Cuilin I'm so sorry, I missed you in the tagging, my bad 😱 I better go back and check it. I was a little dubious about some of the research she used. I'd definitely want to read more on the nutritional values of rewilding. 2y
AllDebooks @jlhammar it really is a wow factor of a book. Rewilding and regeneration books are my favourite nature category 2y
AllDebooks @TEArificbooks I loved all of the evidence of nature flourishing through so many different species. That part is very eye-opening and inspirational. 2y
sebrittainclark @AllDebooks are there other rewilding books you would recommend? I'd love to read more books about rewilding. 2y
AllDebooks @sebrittainclark oh boy, you're gonna regret saying that! 🤔😅📚📚📚📚📚 2y
AllDebooks Anyone else interested in rewilding books? I'll do a separate thread of recommendations 2y
Cuilin @AllDebooks no worries. I didn‘t want to miss any of the discussions. 2y
Cuilin @AllDebooks I know I may regret it as I already did some research and I have a list going, but what‘s the harm in adding more? 😬 2y
AllDebooks Thread to more recommendations. Please feel free to add your own choices ☺️ https://litsy.com/p/aXlMY3NhZ3R2 2y
AllDebooks **FYI** Knepp's head gardener has a podcast on transforming the walled gardens on the estate. https://www.gardensillustrated.com/podcasts/talking-gardens-charlie-harpur/ 2y
Hooked_on_books Overall I enjoyed these final chapters. I love that the type of pony they have looks so similar to the Lascaux cave paintings. That‘s so cool! And the info about progression of the soil was interesting. I enjoyed the beaver chapter, especially the info about people sneaking beavers into places. I love that! I read a great book on beavers: 2y
Hooked_on_books @sebrittainclark @Cuilin I absolutely agree with both of you about her confirmation bias. I wouldn‘t describe myself as a nutrition expert, but I know a bit more than the average person, and there‘s a whole lot of data out there showing that animal protein should not be a major part of our diets! So it was really interesting to watch her cherry pick to say it should be. Makes me wonder what else she is ignoring. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Overall I really enjoyed it, I did have some of the same questions about nutrition at the end… the other thing that came up in my mind though…a few times… is what are they doing now that England has left the EU. Brexit should have severed them from most of their financial support. 😬 and she was very clear that England isn‘t as forward thinking in these issues as the EU. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Also… the part about people waking their dogs “off leash” in the park or riding their horses through the park seems bad to me. We need to leash our dogs in highly manicured (not at all natural) parks in the US….letting them just run through a rewinding park seems bad to me… like letting them run through a zoo 🫣 bad things will happen. (edited) 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Otherwise I enjoyed it, and want to know more about the EU projects that have gone much further. 2y
Hooked_on_books I just bumped into an interesting article about rewilding in Scotland: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/scotland-could-become-first-re... 2y
AllDebooks @Hooked_on_books I found the soil changes and earthworms absolutely fascinating too 2y
AllDebooks @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I agree about the nutrition claims. I would want to explore that more. Brexit must have been a huge blow. 2y
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review
Hooked_on_books
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Pickpick

Wilding tells the story of a couple‘s decision to rewild their enormous 3500 acre property rather than continue intensive farming. It‘s quite interesting to follow how they went about this and why certain decisions were made as well as the early results. However, the book does bog down a bit in a few places and the author leans a bit too heavily into confirmation bias.

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sebrittainclark
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Mehso-so

3.5/5

I really enjoyed the descriptions of Knepp, the work done to rewild the property, and the results of that work. Rewilding was new to me, so I loved that part.

There were a few times throughout the book, where it felt like the author felt that discoveries at Knepp should upend existing knowledge of animals' habitat instead of just spurring more research, which I didn't love. And there was a small section on raw milk that felt out of place.

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Soubhiville
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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My nonfiction #2023ReadingBracket was quite tough to pick this month! Wilding came out just barely on top.

Yet so far this year I‘m going with Just Mercy as the best nonfiction. 😅 whew, tough choices, all 4 of these were excellent reads.

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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#Naturalitsy

Our final week at the Knepp estate, Sussex before we head off with the butterflies 🦋
They made an exciting announcement this week about sea trout. Did you see it?
.https://twitter.com/KneppWilding/status/1652644090960400385?s=20

Our next read, The language of butterflies, starts 8th May. Keep em peeled for the schedule 👀

Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

jlhammar Oh, how cool! I hadn‘t heard about the trout yet. Thanks! 2y
AllDebooks @jlhammar isn't it so cool? Made me smile today ☺️ 2y
24 likes1 stack add3 comments
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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#Naturalitsy

3 short chapters yielded a whole lotta content! Did you enjoy it?

See All 11 Comments
TEArificbooks I enjoyed learning about the birds, but some of it felt like filler, some of it felt preachy again but she is preaching to the chorus. But some of it felt a bit pompous. Like she was saying for 500 years people have been fing it all up and she will single handily solve the water shed problem if only people would do it her way even though she has no engineering training. 2y
TheBookHippie @TEArificbooks yes this! Toooo preachy. And self congratulatory 😵‍💫. But yes I liked learning about the birds! 2y
AllDebooks @TEArificbooks @TheBookHippie I'm irritated by the sheer privilege that's taken for granted. Both historically thru the family history but also I & C and their ability to access so much helped by their status. The huge amount of expert help they've received, have been responsible for solving issues. She doesn't give them enough credit, for sure. 2y
Morr_Books I was thoroughly paying attention to the 13th chapter about the rivers, as flooding is getting more and more common where I live. I think our city officials have to read this chapter. 2y
jlhammar I was kind of shocked by the drastic decline of the nightingales just since the mid-60s. Once again am finding it so illuminating how nature reveals itself and what the nightingales and turtledoves want and need differs from what was thought to be the case. Returning the river to its floodplain was so interesting, that naturalizing rivers and rewilding river-catchment prevents flooding. Excited for the upcoming beaver chapter! 2y
Hooked_on_books I‘ve read a bit before about wetland restoration, so I wasn‘t surprised by their results in doing so in their location. And, of course, the money spent on land “improvement” in the past was really just shaping it the way humans wanted it for their own exploitative reasons and not improving it at all. I also agree with several of you about the tone and bit of filler. These chapters were a little bogged down. (Bog, wetland, see what I did there?😬) 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m a bit behind… just starting the River chapter. I find myself stopping mid-chapter sometimes and googling things like green woodpeckers and their tongue, and this week nightingale song and then listening to it on YouTube. So probably a good thing, but it‘s putting me a bit behind 😂 2y
TheBookHippie @AllDebooks it‘s a lot of I‘m the saviour of this 👀😵‍💫😅… look at me look at me 😵‍💫. I love what‘s happened and the nature parts . But yikes it‘s a bit privilege ignorant talk! 2y
26 likes11 comments
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wordslinger42
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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A book, some tea, and me 📚🥰

I'm loving this book so much!

#naturalitsy

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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#Naturalitsy

Our reading prompt for week 4 😃

LeeRHarry I am soooo far behind! 😬 2y
AllDebooks @LeeRHarry don't worry, hope you're enjoying what you've read so far x 2y
34 likes2 comments
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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#Naturalitsy

Well, another week just went poof!! Here's our discussion thread for week 3. I enjoyed these chapters immensely, I hope you did too.

See All 25 Comments
Soubhiville I got carried away and finished the book! Lol. I totally loved it. The discussions of the different species both being introduced and making their way into the newly forming habitat! There was a line about letting one section revive entirely on its own being similar to a woman busting out of her stays- had me laughing loudly. I can see myself rereading this one. And so glad I have the physical book for the pictures. 😁 2y
Soubhiville I found it interesting that funding can be lost for this type of reforestation (where you just stop doing anything and let the land grow as it will,) because people are attached to actually digging holes and planting trees instead of letting nature do it‘s own work. 2y
AllDebooks The 'stays' comment made me laugh, too. My head is buzzing after reading with so much inspiration and admiration. Even more so when you think about the local opposition and hostility, the wavering interest of authority's in charge of finding. I found the locals' correspondence equally amusing and irritating. A lot of ignorance and far too much NIMBYism. 2y
sebrittainclark I thought the section about which things people think are worthy of conservation was so interesting. I especially liked the details about how some beloved species are much more recent additions to the local ecology while some species who have been there for 1,000s of years are viewed as pests. 2y
AllDebooks Dare anybody say the R-word?? 🌼 2y
AllDebooks @sebrittainclark it was surprising to read that animals I think of quintessentially English are, in fact non-native 2y
TEArificbooks I found all the parts already mentioned interesting as well. I did feel, once again, the wagwort section was a speech for debate club complete with rebuttals to studies. Clearly they had a lot of opposition with leaving a weed. That is until the butterflies came. I also enjoyed hearing about the animals and the rare/endangered species that came. 2y
TEArificbooks And then finally one guy with some influence finally came and was like “I like what you are doing we should keep this going and expand” and all of a sudden money came to help with the fence. 2y
jlhammar I'm just loving this book! So cool to learn the great value of scrub - “brown is the new green.“ And the differences between the generations in how they reacted to the rewilding was so fascinating. That what they saw as children, nostalgia played such a large part in their aesthetic sensibility. I laughed at the fear that “Knepp was about to become some kind of Jurassic Park“ with predator reintroduction. 2y
jlhammar Ch10 got me even more excited for our upcoming Language of Butterflies read. The fact that they “would never have achieved the numbers that have spontaneously emerged through rewilding“ had they set out to create the perfect habitat for purple emperors is such a strong argument for what they are doing at Knepp. Just amazing.

2y
Hooked_on_books I was so struck in these chapters but how warped the human sense is about how things “should” look. People being outraged at things looking natural (and, frankly, the way they are supposed to) is so very sad. Plus their certainty that the ragwort was seeding their land despite the deep research and measures that took to make sure that didn‘t happen. We‘re so resistant to things we don‘t wish to believe. 2y
Hooked_on_books I was also thinking about how much money this family had in the past to have so much land! It‘s huge! I can‘t even imagine inheriting something like that. It would be overwhelming. Oh, and I loved the bit about cattle gaining much more weight by feeding with donkeys. Fascinating! 2y
AllDebooks @Hooked_on_books 💯 we really need to change our idea of what looks 'normal'. I'm overlooked by a bowling green, and boy, do they like to comment on the 'state' of my garden. I practice organic gardening and there are patches left wild for a purpose. The amount of wildlife increased since I moved here in 2016 is extraordinary and something I'm very proud of. I work hard (although it doesn't like) to encourage biodervisity and mini eco-systems. ⬇️ 2y
AllDebooks I get so tired and angry at having to justify myself to these obnoxiuos people whose only commentary is 'this space is wasted by me' 'you need to chuck some weedkiller, that will sort it' 'it's disgusting'. 🤯🤬 Not a straight edge to be seen or pristine lawn, just native plants, trees and sapling hedge instead of fences and it is buzzing with life. I love it. 2y
Hooked_on_books That sounds incredible! The best thing to remember when people say those ignorant things is that they‘re revealing more about themselves then they are about you. You‘ve got your priorities straight—I love it! 2y
AllDebooks @Hooked_on_books I've noticed they're always the same age group, baby boomers too. Just like the people resisting Knepp rewilding 2y
TEArificbooks @AllDebooks do you live in the states? 2y
AllDebooks @TEArificbooks no, I'm in Derbyshire, UK x 2y
TEArificbooks @AllDebooks in the states you can get your yard certified as a wildlife habitat and everyone has to shut up about it. Basically a mini version of what Knepp did. Or has I said to my family Knepp is a big version of what we did. 2y
AllDebooks @TEArificbooks that is amazing. I'm going to look into it here and if it's not a thing, make it a thing 2y
rockpools @AllDebooks I‘ve just seen you‘re in Derbyshire, so this is probably too far at short notice, but one to keep an eye on for the future perhaps? https://www.eastgatebookshop.co.uk/restoring-nature-2023 2y
AllDebooks @rockpools oh wow, that looks amazing!!!! 2y
31 likes25 comments
review
Soubhiville
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Pickpick

2 of my 3 beasties in the same photo 😸.

I loved this story of a farm in UK being mindfully returned to wild land. It‘s remarkable how much healthier the soil and waterways become, and how quickly those changes and the vegetation growth attract wildlife that has been absent for decades. I would love to be involved in a project like this.

Thank you @AllDebooks for hosting #NaturaLitsy! I couldn‘t resist finishing today. So good!

Leftcoastzen They are so cute ! Quite a pair!😻😻 2y
ShelleyBooksie Adorable ♡♡ 2y
RaeLovesToRead Venkman!!! Igor!!! Kisses to both my kitty pals!! 🥰🥰 2y
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IndoorDame 😻😻😻 2y
AllDebooks Great review, glad you enjoyed it. Look at them, lil beauties 😍 2y
dabbe Venkman + Igor = Beautiful Beasties! 🤩💙🐾 2y
MemoirsForMe Awww! 😻 2y
86 likes7 comments
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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#Naturalitsy

This week's reading reminder. A discussion thread will be posted on Saturday.

All welcome to join us. Please do let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

TheBookHippie I am so loving this I‘m so glad I purchased this one! 2y
Aimeesue @TheBookHippie Same! An added bonus is that it‘s a NYRB book, which I collect. ❤️ 2y
TheBookHippie @Aimeesue oh nice!!! I do love a good NYRB as well. 2y
AllDebooks @TheBookHippie @Aimeesue Thrilled you love it too x 2y
32 likes4 comments
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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#Naturalitsy

Well, it's going to be fun unpacking all the information in these chapters! Where do we start?

Please do let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

FYI - I came across some great podcasts on the Knepp website. Well worth checking out.

https://knepp.co.uk/wildland-podcast/

******Note in comments re next read******

See All 26 Comments
AllDebooks *****See my next post for suggestions for our next read ***** https://litsy.com/p/bUQzWGtXcWti 2y
Cuilin I‘m loving this book. These chapters were a wealth of information. Not sure I completely understood the pollen evidence in relation to whether the island of Britain at one time was closed canopy forrest or not. The forensic evidence of bones seems to suggest it wasn‘t. I‘m loving the introduction of the wild animals to the farm and the quality of life they have there. 2y
AllDebooks @Cuilin Duncan 😅🤣🤣🤣 reminded me of James Herriot's stories. Loved the descriptions of animal choice and their introduction 2y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I‘ll have to bow out on this one. I‘m so behind in my reading and won‘t be able to get to this one in time. Please tag me for the next vote though, hopefully I‘ll be caught up with the books I‘m currently on and can rejoin. ❤️ 2y
Soubhiville I‘m loving this too! Getting to know the animals being introduced is lovely, and yes @AllDebooks I get that James Herriot feel too. 🙂 I‘ve found it hard to stop reading when I get to the end of our sections. 2y
Cuilin @Soubhiville I considered reading ahead but stopped myself lol it‘s so good. @AllDebooks totally reminiscent of Herriot 😆 (edited) 2y
jlhammar This book is so good! Thanks for the podcast link. Excited to listen. In Ch4 I loved when Frans was explaining how we've “become trapped by our own observations“ and the need to let “nature reveal herself.“ I also appreciated the part when he was talking about how “the baseline for the welfare of farm animals is being applied to animals living in the wild“ that we mistakenly “fixate solely on their death not the quality of their lives.“ 2y
jlhammar In Ch5 it was so interesting to learn about all of the evidence challenging closed-canopy theory. I hadn't known much about any of that. I also don't think I'd ever heard of the saying “Science advances, one funeral at a time“ 😆 That's a good one. 2y
jlhammar The presentation to the neighbors (Ch6) was kind of hilarious. “Hans's slides of fighting Konik stallions, avalanches of greylag geese and Dutch backpackers sidestepping maggoty carcasses were met with stony silence.“ 😂 I loved learning about the cattle--the herd dynamics, the strong family bonds. The fact that “their calving and health statistics were better than most conventional cattle farms“ was eye-opening. 2y
TheBookHippie I love the YouTube and everything I‘m finding online as well as this read. It‘s so much to process. I love the animals. We‘ve taken so much from them -to read this makes me happy. 2y
jlhammar Her accounts of the introduction of the Exmoor ponies (an animal rarer than the tiger!) and Tamworth pigs to the estate were so great. Also, 'rootling' is just a fantastic word! Can't wait for next week's chapters! 2y
Hooked_on_books I was a little distracted this week and only got to chapters 4 & 5. I like how both of them explore the ways we need to question our conclusions. So true. Based on the comments here, I‘m really looking forward to chapter 6! 2y
Morr_Books I loved when the author talked about the unfortunate name of the data analysis system: ISIS (International Species Information System). I also now know why there have been so many studies related to the dung beetle. 2y
AllDebooks @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm ok, thanks for letting me know x 2y
AllDebooks @jlhammar I waa fascinated too, esp with the image we all have of woods and forests being Grimm like. I was surprised to learn about open canopy andit does make so much more sense. 2y
AllDebooks @jlhammar lol 😆 I wonder if the neighbours are all on board 20+ years later 2y
AllDebooks @TheBookHippie me too. This book really does make me so happy to see everything bei g restored. The aerial photos showing the difference are incredible 2y
TEArificbooks I felt that the chapter about how they decided not to make a huge forest and plant thousands of trees and just let grazing animals do their thing was a bit argumentative. Like she wanted to win a debate. Maybe they had to fight harder for their right to let their land go to pot and it is still a sore subject. I‘m glad she explained their process though. 2y
TEArificbooks I enjoyed learning where the words acre and wood and wild and forest evolved from. I enjoyed learning about the grazing animals and their dynamics. And the beginning of how those animals starting changing the ecosystem and wild animals began to appear. 2y
AllDebooks @TEArificbooks I see your point and I think they did come across an awful lot of obstacles, which would have put most people off. I found their thought process and research were outstanding and crucial to their success. 2y
AllDebooks Knepp estate's latest ambitious project is to create a wildlife corridor to the sea. This wouldn't have been possible 20 years ago. Their success at Knepp has proven how beneficial rewilding is to all. Now, local communities and farmers are on board and passionate about the project, too. https://www.wealdtowaves.co.uk/ 2y
29 likes26 comments
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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#Naturalitsy

Anyone else confused over what day it is today? The long weekend has messed with my head. I was sure today was Monday, oops. 😅

This week's reading schedule for Wilding. Discussion thread will be posted on Saturday. Enjoy 😊

All welcome to join us. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist

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Cuilin
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Started this morning, so a bit behind the reading schedule. Loving it so far. #naturallitsy Anybody else play the sounds of turtle doves? They must also nest in Ireland as the sound was familiar.

AllDebooks I'm gutted never to have seen or heard them. Hope they can recover. Although one of the biggest hazards is the hunting of them in Northern Europe. Glad you're enjoying it 😊 2y
Cuilin @AllDebooks the hunting really surprised me. I‘d be interested to see how that could be stopped. 2y
56 likes2 comments
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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#Naturalitsy

Well that got off to an engrossing start. Who knew you could fit so much history into 50 pages!!

Are you enjoying it?

Any particular likes/dislikes so far?

What stood out for you most?

Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist. All welcome to join us.

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LeeRHarry I‘m really enjoying it - I grew up in England in the countryside so it feels quite nostalgic to me as I‘m reminded of my childhood spending time in the fields behind my house 😊 lots of interesting facts as well - looking forward to continuing 😊 2y
Soubhiville I‘m loving it so far! The history of the property and family farm and the ways agriculture and the food economy have changed are things that are certainly echoed across the North Eastern US as well. I‘m excited to get into the parts about allowing nature to come back. 🙂 And I‘ve never seen a turtle dove, so her description as a bird watcher had me looking them up. 2y
Hooked_on_books It‘s super engaging thus far. Her writing style is terrific. Great voice and she knows when to move between topics. (That‘s good editing, too, I‘m sure.) I kind of want to be Ted! I want to be able to understand tree health just be looking at them and get excited by unusual fungus growing on the tree. 😂 2y
Soubhiville @Hooked_on_books yes, Ted! Although I bet he sees lots of cases where the “tree owners” won‘t take his advice or take down trees he‘d like to help save. 2y
jlhammar Really enjoyed these first few chapters. I'd never thought about how WWII contributed to the devastation of wildlife/wild places in Britain with the whole food scarcity/Dig for Victory campaign. “Fallow land came to be considered wasted land.“ So many interesting stats in here as well. Had to slow down to take it all in. I was so saddened to learn that “since the 1930s, 97% of the UK's wildflower meadows have been lost.“ What a drastic change. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m really enjoying this so far, lots of history and backstory and science, I‘m finding it a great and engrossing read. For me it‘s juxtaposed so well with my other earth day (later this month) read, which is all about humans trying to push nature into certain pathways, to correct what humans did the the landscape in the past when they altered it. 2y
AllDebooks This is amazing, so pleased you're enjoying it. @LeeRHarry I'll bet it's bringing back some amazing memories 😍 @Soubhiville I've never seen a turtle dove either, I found the hunting of them in Europe very irritating and distressing. @Hooked_on_books Oh Ted, he's a legend in his lifetime!! I would love to have just 1% of his knowledge. I bet he's had a lot of frustration throughout his career where his advice has been ignored. As @Soubhiville say 2y
AllDebooks Cont. - many must onky just be starting to see the errors of not heeding him. @jlhammar reading about the loss of smallholdings in favour of mass oroduction made me so angry. Ironically there may have been more food production with less intervention needed if they'd continued with the old ways. Just more of them. 2y
AllDebooks @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Are you talking about Under a white sky. I'm reading that with you and #shesaid it's very evocative of humans jumping in to fix one biological problem and causing more.. Asian carp?? 🤔 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @AllDebooks Yes! Sorry I should have tagged it. But the difference between going completely hands off and electrifying a river is just to huge not to grab the reader with their opposite approaches. 2y
AllDebooks I read James Rebanks' excellent book on sheparding on his family farm. What's interesting is his attitude and work ethic as a young man. He worked on gargantuan farms in Australia and the USA. He was biting at the bit to bring those ideas to his family's farm. He goes full circle, returning to the farming methods his grandfather taught him as a child. These moments are some of the most beautiful passages in the book. Highly recommended x 2y
AllDebooks @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Absolutely mindblowing 🤯 2y
Morr_Books This has been amazing so far! I don't think I thought much about my oak trees before now. I've been investigating planting native plants in my garden. I was told that native plants will bring native wildlife. Also, I don't think I knew there were actual deer parks. 2y
TheBookHippie @Morr_Books we have deer parks in Michigan . 2y
TheBookHippie We have a coven here that teaches you how to plant native things and let your yard go “wild” I am loving this read so far!! 2y
Aimeesue I decided to listen to this one because Hoopla had it, but after the first chapter decided that I really, really needed a hard copy. SO interesting! Ted! I love him! Also prompted a discussion about what to do about the dead dogwood tree in our front yard. Obvsly not as entwined as trees on the farm, but still, what‘s the impact on the other (large) trees around it? 2y
TEArificbooks I am enjoying it so far. I wish I had more land to wild and promote native plants to attract pollinators and wildlife. I do have native plants on what little property I do have and proud that bees come every day. But I also have an HOA that won‘t let me leave a fallen tree branch. 2y
TEArificbooks Some things that stood out were the history of property, and the history of farming techniques and how they destroyed the land. All the names for mud. How they had spend three years just getting the soil close to being ready for the native plants and deer. His foresight in closing the traditional farm and doing something new right before all those farming disasters. Ted‘s knowledge of trees made me appreciate the trees that I grew up climbing. 2y
AllDebooks @Morr_Books how wonderful to have your own oaks. I love Ted's description of how valuable they are to the biodiversity in the surrounding area, even when they're dying 2y
AllDebooks @TheBookHippie @Morr_Books I've been lucky to live very close to deer at Richmond park, Epping forest and now here in Derbyshire. I'm in a heavily wooded semi rural area close to Nottingham forest. I see herds of fallow and muntjac deer regularly. 2y
AllDebooks @Aimeesue it really does make you think about your own impact, no matter the size of your garden. My gardenig plans are heavily influenced by this book, for sure. 2y
AllDebooks @TEArificbooks I agree, the summary of history, both farm, personal, natural and country were fascinating. So concisely, beautifully written, yet conveyed so much information. Loved this part. And what a lucky dodge they had missing out of 2 of the catastrophic farming events of this century. 2y
jenniferw88 Hi, just wondering if you would like me to set up a #naturalitsy swap? I'd keep it basic - 1 or 2 books and a few nature related things. I was thinking opening day could be 21st June - the summer solstice. What do you think? Feel free to email me at irene_gulliver@yahoo.co.uk if you'd like to discuss further. 2y
AllDebooks @jenniferw88 That's a great idea. I was thinking of doing one for when I start the #midsummarsolace event. Starting planning now. I'll email you later today x 2y
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rockpools
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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I am love love loving this book. It is FASCINATING. And also challenging a huge amount I studied at uni (OK, that was a while back).

Very much looking forward to the discussion on Saturday for #naturalitsy

LeeRHarry I have only read a couple of chapters but it is full of interesting stuff so far 😊 2y
AllDebooks So thrilled you're enjoying it. It certainly makes you think 🤔 2y
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sebrittainclark
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Renewed my library card and picked up the #naturalitsy read

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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#Naturalitsy

Get your wellies on! 🚜🐖👩‍🌾 We're heading off to the farm in Sussex.

I'll post the discussion thread on Saturday. Can't wait to see what you think of this inspirational farm.

As always, please do let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

Have a great week 😀

Fyi #shesaid are reading Under a white sky if you wish to join in. More info in comments x

AllDebooks I thought this nay be of interest. This has been nominated a few times and has not made the final vote. I'll be reading along. See @Riveted_Reader_Melissa page for more info 😀 2y
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SamAnne I will be following along. I think I might have read a New Yorker article about this place? looks interesting, but I'm maxed out on books this time round! 2y
TheBookHippie My book says arriving tomorrow ! 🤞🏻 2y
sebrittainclark I'm going to the library to pick up a copy today! 2y
CaitZ I'm having a hard time getting this book. I'll just follow because it looks interesting. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @CaitZ the audiobook is on Hoopla if your library is connected to that. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @AllDebooks her books are great, I think you‘ll enjoy it. I‘m finding the two together to be very different sides of the same coin.. and I‘m enjoying that 😂 2y
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jenniferw88
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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@TheAromaofBooks @AllDebooks

What is it with the #doublespin number and #naturalitsy? This is the third month in a row that the numbers have matched with this challenge! 😂😂😂

#bookspin is a #roll100 for April. @PuddleJumper

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! And I love the cover for A River in Darkness - simple but impactful. 2y
AllDebooks Lol ✋️ 2y
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LitsyEvents
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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repost for @AllDebooks:

#Naturalitsy

Are you ready for our next read about rewilding the incredible Knepp Estate?

Starts Monday 3rd April. Reading schedule as above.

I will post the schedule notice on Mondays and the discussion thread on Saturdays.

All welcome to join us. Please do let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2569124

AllDebooks Thank you for the share x 2y
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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#Naturalitsy

Are you ready for our next read about rewilding the incredible Knepp Estate?

Starts Monday 3rd April. Reading schedule as above.

I will post the schedule notice on Mondays and the discussion thread on Saturdays.

All welcome to join us. Please do let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

@LitsyEvents

See All 21 Comments
TheBookHippie Yay! I‘m waiting on my books arrival hoping it comes in time! 2y
Hooked_on_books I‘m planning to pick the book up at the library next week! I‘m excited to get started! 2y
rockpools As I‘m usually so far behind, I started this this morning. It‘s great! I want to keep reading! 2y
Soubhiville I‘m looking forward to reading this one! 2y
ElizaMarie Wasn‘t able to find this one. So… please untag me but… please don‘t forget me for the next one 2y
Morr_Books Found this one available on Libby, so I think I'll join for this one as well. 2y
jlhammar Thanks! Can‘t wait to get started! 2y
tdrosebud I found it and received it from Amazon a few days ago! 2y
Cazxxx I‘ll reread it as it was so good! 2y
BookwormAHN I'm not sure that my library is going to get it in time but 🤞🏻 2y
AllDebooks @ElizaMarie of course x 2y
AllDebooks @Morr_Books yay, welcome!! 2y
AllDebooks @Cazxxx I thought the same, so inspiring x 2y
wordslinger42 I'm really excited for this one 💜 I read the intro already and think this will be a good read. 2y
38 likes21 comments
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jlhammar
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#bookmail part 2

Ready next month‘s #NaturaLitsy and #GoldenAgeCrimeClub! The UK cover of Wilding is beautiful, but stuck with the US edition since I love NYRB. And very much looking forward to my third Marple.

willaful Oooo, that's one of my favorite Christies. (And Teys.) Do you have the complete Moving Finger? The American editions were all abridged but that looks new enough it's probably complete. 2y
jlhammar @willaful Yay! Now I‘m even more excited. It doesn‘t say anything about it being abridged so hopefully it‘s complete. 2y
Megabooks Nice haul!! 2y
batsy Nice haul! I loved the Tey and look forward to revisiting. The Marple is also a good one. The Geraldine McEwan adaptation was also fun; it should hopefully still be available on YT. 2y
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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#Naturalitsy

We have a clear favourite for our April read. We will start on Monday 3rd April continuing into May, if needed.
Thank you for your recommendations and votes. Fewer books made it a much easier choice this time. 😅

Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist. All welcome to join us.

I will post a reading schedule towards the end of the month. Just to give you a teaser, take a look at the Knepp estate. ⬇️⬇️

See All 18 Comments
TheBookHippie YAY!!!!!! 2y
jlhammar Wonderful! Thank you! 2y
wordslinger42 This sounds good! I'll join in 💚 2y
AnnR Please remove me from the tag list for Wilding. Thanks. :-) Hope you all enjoy the selection. 2y
Deblovestoread Please remove me from the tag list. I haven‘t been able to keep up. Thanks! 2y
Hooked_on_books I‘ll be joining in! My library has this, which is a nice boon, and I look forward to reading it. 2y
Cazxxx I‘ve already read this so I‘ll sit this one out. Absolutely fantastic book though, I hope everyone loves it as much as I did! 2y
Blackink_WhitePaper I ve a audio version of this book.I m very much excited for this one. Please include me in the list. Thanks for organising. 2y
AllDebooks @Deblovestoread Ok, sorry to hear that. I hope you're ok. Just checking, do you want me to remove you from all #naturalitsy taglists or just the one for Wilding? 2y
AllDebooks @Cazxxx me too but loved it so much, I'm up for a revisit 😍 2y
AllDebooks @Ann_Reads will do x 2y
Deblovestoread I‘m fine just over extended myself as usual. Thank you for asking. 💜. You can remove me from all the posts. 2y
48 likes18 comments
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VanessaCW
Wilding | Isabella Tree
Mehso-so

I read this with my local book group. It‘s interesting and gives food for thought about our environment, about the knock on effects of actions which we consider to be ‘progress‘. I‘m not a big non-fiction fan so a lot of it went over my head, all stats, official bodies etc. However, I particularly enjoyed the chapters about animals and butterflies - there are some quite amusing bits. I would love to visit the Knepp estate and have a guided tour.

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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Pickpick

This was an incredibly touching and hugely informative book. I learned so much and though of course we have much more space here in South Africa, much of what the author laments is present here. Just on the drive down to my mom, 6 hours from my house, my eyes were open to notice the lack of biodiversity in the landscape we passed 😢 And how many plants, insects or birds can I identify? A great read.

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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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It was all a lie!

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Cazxxx
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Pickpick

Wonderful and full of hope, this follows the author and her husband in West Sussex allowing nature to take over their land.
Beautifully written, I was completely immersed in the project and didn‘t want the book to end
4 ⭐️

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Cazxxx
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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This weeks goal is to finish Wilding, Superior and The book of hope, more than halfway through all of them. Already started something wicked then would like to start Carmilla and Laura & witch‘s block
I‘m such a mood reader that it doesn‘t always go to plan and I pick up whatever I feel like at the time.
Are you a mood reader too?

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AllDebooks
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#naturalitsy
What Isabella Tree and Charles Burrell have achieved at Knepp, in just 20 years, is incredible and so inspiring. Imagine the impact if we all embraced their ideology in our gardens. All of that space rewilded as habitat for wildlife and humans to coexist.

https://www.iema.net/articles/interview-isabella-tree-on-some-wild-ideas?t=0hick...

https://marymary.ie/

AllDebooks Please consider making your own little oasis. If interested, check out Mary Reynolds and We are the ark project https://wearetheark.org/ 2y
mandarchy I love that idea. My family always asks me why I don't game hummingbird feeders and my response is that I plant then. My yard is a postage stamp, but it's full of birds, wild rabbits, frogs, and lizards. 2y
AllDebooks @mandarchy that sounds perfect x 2y
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Freespirit
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Thanks @LeeRHarry for the tag 😊
📕I have read the Anne of Green Gables series many times growing up! As an adult I re-read my favourite classics occasionally. They are The Count of Monte Christo, Jane Eyre, and The Moonstone or The Women in White.
📕I don‘t pay much attention to the cover..it‘s a review or recommendation for me.
📕Wilding is a brilliant story of allowing nature to do its own thing and watching the transformation💕
@MoonWitch94

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Emilymdxn
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Pickpick

Such a beautiful, optimistic ode to nature and how much can change so quickly when you rewild an area. This is the story of a farm near my grandparents‘ house where they‘ve let nature wonderfully take care of itself and all the results of that, from the thriving beavers to rich soil to birds brought back from the brink of extinction. If you‘re burnt out and miserable about climate change, read this and see how much of a difference one family made!

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Bevita
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Pickpick

Marcelo gave this to me. It was fascinating to read about all they‘ve done on their estate in England and the small group of people working on rewilding around the world. Sometimes too sciencey for me but I just skimmed the listing of moth species they have counted. Want to read more about this!

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Centique
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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#hiselderliness #bookreport #weeklyforecast

The old one finished Wilding this week 🌟🌟🌟🌟. The story of a huge farm that is turned back to nature. He says “there‘s a lot about worms and moths and nightingales and stuff - a bit sciencey. Not your thing.” 😂 Onto his TBR pile go the bottom three books. The Best of New Zealand Memories is based on a local history magazine where people submit their old photos and stories. Plus - toujours des chats

TrishB Great pic 👍🏻 5y
Cinfhen I love how dad makes judgement calls for you!!! #FatherKnowsBest 😜His new reads look/ sound interesting 💛📚 5y
Centique @TrishB thank you lovely 😘 5y
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Centique @Cinfhen I know right?!!! Hey I do like sciencey stuff I say! 5y
batsy I have Wilding on my TBR! Now I know to delve in when I'm ready for science and worms 😁🐛 5y
Cathythoughts His Elderliness is going strong on the reading. Send him a big hello from Ireland 👍🏻❤️ 5y
Reggie Yeah, I‘m now intrigued by theWilding. Tell him thanks, lol, and thanks to you too, 5y
Centique @batsy one of his pithiest summaries 😂 5y
Centique @Cathythoughts thank you Cathy I will 😘 5y
Centique @batsy hey S I see that guy making random comments on your posts. 😠 If you get annoyed I can complain to Litsy for you? Obviously someone is bored enough to be trolling Litsy. 5y
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Gruru
Wilding | Isabella Tree
Pickpick

A must read about a failing estate in southern England where the owners decided to let the acreage go wild. Fantastic inspirational stuff

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Freespirit
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Pickpick

Knepp in West Surrey England is a 3,500 acre farm where herds of animals roam free and rare species have returned to the restored habitat. An inspirational and thought provoking story.
It would be a wonderful place to visit.
Highly recommended reading for a lover of nature💕
#memoir #Hope #vision

Freespirit @catebutler I loved the book❤️ 5y
catebutler I added this to my wishlist, it sounds amazing, and your review just added to my desire to read it. 5y
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Severnmeadows
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Just arrived! 😊 Really looking forward to this book.

batsy Stacked! Sounds fascinating and such a gorgeous cover. 6y
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jhod
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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So my new job is working on environmental policy. Obviously I've had to buy some books to help me understand the subject area more! If anyone has any other tips I would be very grateful!

Skeebies05 Congrats on the new job!!! 7y
HannaPolkadots Not a book, but a documentary made by sky news last summer, The Plastic Whale. It's available online 🙂 7y
wanderinglynn 👍🏻😀 Feel free to email me - lynnalong@gmail.com. I practice environmental law & work for the US Dept. of the Interior. I deal with environmental policy. 7y
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Aimeesue Congratulations! My daughter is going to study Environmental Sciences at the University of Mary Washington, starting next year. All hail the sciences! 7y
CaitlinR Wishing you luck with the new job. 7y
Cathythoughts Congratulations! That‘s great news 7y
squirrelbrain Congratulations! 🌲🌳🌲 7y
jhod @Skeebies05 @CaitlinR @Cathythoughts @squirrelbrain thanks all! Great news about your daughter @Aimeesue ! 7y
jhod @HannaPolkadots thanks for the recommendation, will check it out 7y
jhod @wanderinglynn fantastic thank you! 7y
rockpools Congratulations Jess! Your new job sounds so interesting 😊 7y
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