Rewilding in action: data from the field
Rewilding is already happening across Britain. The Rewilding Network has over 250 larger projects (40ha+), and is growing every month. Covering over 200,000 hectares in total, these projects are revitalising our communities, supporting rural economies, and protecting homes and businesses from climate threats.
Rewilding in numbers
The numbers here are based on 2025 information provided by rewilding projects in the Rewilding Network, which represents rewilding projects across England, Scotland and Wales.
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147%
increase in jobs at rewilding projects
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0.06
Livestock Units per hectare
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69%
projects with finance secured for five+ years
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5
average number of income sources
Grazing and rewilding
Rewilding is often associated with removing livestock from land, but the reality is more complex. We usually see a diversification of the animals present.
Across rewilding projects, Livestock Units per hectare tends to decrease by ~70% in the first few years. This is primarily due to removing sheep, followed by a transition towards low-density grazing by cattle, horses and pigs. For projects that start without livestock, cattle and pigs are usually the first to be introduced. Rewilding projects support hardy native breeds of cattle, chosen to replicate the activities of our extinct aurochs. They live freely, in lower numbers than farmed animals, with no supplementary feeding.
Rewilding interventions
Projects undertake various interventions to restore natural processes and kick-start rewilding. There are various funding streams available for this work. The five most frequent interventions are:
- Natural regeneration
- Tree planting
- Wetland/pond creation
- Large deadwood piles
- Removal of internal fencing
Financing rewilding
Income across rewilding projects is diversifying. We encourage Network rewilding projects to explore multiple income streams as this makes projects more resilient to economic shocks.
There is a variety of income sources available, and the most frequent sources of income across rewilding projects are:
- Public agri-environmental schemes
- Agricultural products
- Public-funded grants
- Property rentals
- Philanthropic grants
- Holiday lets
At present, 69% of Network projects have funding secured for more than five years. While public subsidies tend to be more short-term, diverse income streams build financial resilience. We expect this to grow in time as we lobby for improved policy from governments.
Jobs in rewilding
On average, employment opportunities are increasing across rewilding areas when compared to the prior land use. The change in land use brings activities that require people, diversified income and new opportunities. The most frequent jobs across rewilding projects are estate/site management roles, rangers/wardens, ecologists, graziers and deer managers.
