Monitoring and measuring rewilding

With an increasing number of Rewilding Network members approaching us with questions on what to measure and how to measure rewilding progress, we identified a real need for a comprehensive guide designed specifically for rewilding practitioners. 

That’s why we’ve developed Britain’s first framework for monitoring rewilding progress, which supports rewilding projects like yours to collect robust data and evidence on ecological, social and economic changes in response to rewilding. 

Why monitor rewilding?

Rewilding is an ​‘open-ended’ approach whereby the specific outcomes that emerge are relatively unpredictable and will continue to vary over time. Collecting data in a rigorous, consistent and repeatable way (i.e. using the same indicators and methods at baseline and across successive monitoring periods) supports projects to keep track of their progress.

Monitoring can bring many benefits, from guiding the direction of a project to informing stakeholders and accessing certain funding streams. Consistent monitoring can also help identify any unintended or emerging consequences early on, ensuring any negative impacts within local communities or specific groups are recognised and addressed proactively.

Monitoring is also crucial to understanding the bigger rewilding picture at a national level – with comparable data gathered across different locations enabling us to identify patterns and trends emerging from rewilding activity and to understand and improve practice. 

The guide is made up of highly practical advice that you can apply at any land or freshwater-based rewilding sites (we’re working on marine guidance next!). It not only covers why we should be monitoring rewilding, but also how to measure change practically and cost-effectively, enabling your as a rewilding practitioner to confidently establish or integrate indicators that best tell your project’s story.

Key sections include:

• Measuring ecosystem change
• Measuring social and economic change
• Recommended indicators and metrics
• How monitoring relates to funding streams
• Designing a regular monitoring programme
• Data collection instructions for a wide range of indicators and metrics – from ​‘species diversity’ to ​‘meaningful community participation’ 

We’ve created the Rewilding Monitoring Framework with guidance from experts and practitioners across different fields to ensure that it’s scientifically rigorous and is easy to apply in a practical context. This has included piloting the methodologies at five pilot sites across the Rewilding Network. We’d like to thank all those who’ve shared the knowledge, expertise and time in developing the guidance. 

Of course, scientific and technological advancements for monitoring continue to progress at pace and we have endeavoured to present what is currently the most up to date information as of 2026. With this in mind, we’ve designed the Rewilding Monitoring Framework to be an evolving toolkit, which we will review and reissue at intervals over the coming years. If you have any feedback or questions on this March 2026 iteration of the framework, please get in touch.