In the last few weeks alone, we have heard exciting news of bison returning to the UK and the purchasing of a 500 hectare estate near Loch Ness with the aim of restoring wildlife. These are just the latest examples of ambitious ‘rewilding’ projects, which are seeking to restore our biodiversity at a time when 15% of our species are at threat of extinction.

Whilst there is great excitement about rewilding in some quarters, myths and controversy also stalk this new approach to conservation. Talk of roaming packs of wolves, cruelty to animals and the loss of precious farmland, has meant that the very term ‘rewilding’ hangs heavy with connotations. This blog seeks to unpick what rewilding is and explores its potential for protecting the environment.

My name is Cathal Flood. I am a postgraduate researcher at Maynooth University. I am also a member of a local citizen science project in Emyvale, County Monaghan in Ireland led by Enda Fields of DkIT and Leo McMahon, a local angler whose father was bailiff of Emy Lough for many years. I have found local knowledge so informative and inspiring as I did my thesis.

What do we do?

We take part in monthly testing of various water quality parameters in the Emyvale catchment and compare this testing to some taking place at Maynooth University.

The global COVID19 pandemic and subsequent economic crisis are unprecedented, impacting on nearly every aspect of daily lives across the globe. The consequences are real and heart-breaking for the many families that have lost loved ones as well as those finding themselves without a job.

Infographic from @statisticallycartoon

For most, if not all of us, spending time outside - whether that’s in a garden, the countryside or a park - is critical for our mental and physical health.