A campaign for Scotland to become the world’s first rewilding nation, backed by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio. raised £200,000 in just six days.
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a coalition of more than 20 organisations, is calling on the Scottish Government to commit to nature restoration across 30% of the country.
Alliance member Rewilding Britain has set out to raise £200,000 for the Rewilding Nation campaign as part of this year’s Big Give Green Match Fund.
The fundraising campaign, launched at midday on April 18, raised £200,000 in just six days – 24 hours ahead of its original one-week target.
In a message of support posted to his 62 million Instagram followers earlier this month, Leonardo DiCaprio said: “With this campaign, Scotland could be a world leader in rewilding its landscapes, ensuring an air and clean water, storing carbon, reducing flooding, restoring wildlife and improving people’s lives.
Alliance member Trees for Life invited Leonardo DiCaprio to visit the charity’s Dundreggan Rewilding Center near Loch Ness in the Highlands.
Trees for Life Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. Credit: Paul Campbell Photography
The center celebrates rewilding and Gaelic culture and offers visitors a gateway to explore Trees for Life’s Dundreggan Estate, part of Affric Highlands, the UK’s largest rewilding landscape.
Rewilding 30% of Scotland can be achieved by restoring habitats including peatlands, native woodlands, wetlands, rivers and seas, without loss of productive agricultural land, the Alliance claims.
“The outpouring of support for our groundbreaking Rewilding Nation campaign – through donations and by signing the Rewilding Nation Charter – shows how Scotland’s rewilding journey inspires people from all walks of life,” said Kevin Cumming, director of Rewilding Britain’s Rewilding.
“A big thank you to the thousands of people who made donations and signed the Charter. Scotland has a real moment of choice and opportunity here – offering hope to tackle natural and climate emergencies, while creating a cascade of benefits for local people and communities. This includes better health, new jobs, food security and healthy rivers and seas.
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