Wilding by Isabella Tree book review

This month's book review, is Wilding by Isabella Tree. I have been reading this book for roughly 6 years...

Wilding, by Isabella Tree, is a story about the farm/ estate she runs with her husband Charlie Burrell and how they came to decide to and how they have, rewilded it. They have been pioneers in the rewilding movement. Much of the build up of the rewilding movement arrived when I finished my first degree, in 2014. I was privileged enough to visit Knepp, before it became the famous project it now is, as part of a group I was part of called Rewilding Sussex. I met Isabella and Charlie and saw first hand their passion. I saw the small, rustic farm shop. I experienced the unique landscape. I was intrigued, both from a professional perspective but also a personal one, having grown up in a rural family business. I also saw the stir rewilding was causing at my University, with the old school academics nervous of the attitude of rewilders.

So, with this context, I was very excited when a few years later Wilding came out, and I immediately purchased and read most of the way through before a trip took me and my focus away. Almost 10 years after it was first published (and a new focussed book list system in place- more information here if you are interested) I have finally finished Wilding. My views on Wilding have slightly changed over the course of that time, so this is my thoughts now.

Wilding covers many aspects of Isabella and Charlie's journey with rewilding their estate, Knepp. There are practical aspects, financial aspects, wider thoughts including our connection to nature and food, and lots of ecology thrown in. Isabella's writing never feels rushed, it feels like a conversation, an explanation of the system without a panic or fanfare. This, I think is a really important and sometimes over looked part of ecological books, especially for a professional ecologist (panic in a book you're reading in bed is not enjoyable and is often why I avoid them at bedtime). This makes Wilding a really enjoyable read, plus Isabella is a beautiful writer.

The book is now, I think, showing some signs of age, as is to be expected. Wilding was published in still very novel times for rewilding. But science catches up and although I do not think anything is inaccurate that I know of, I can sense it is no longer quite as cutting edge. Isabella is also not a scientific author, and at times my scientific brain reached for further references to points made. It is important to look at everything presented with questions- that makes the ideas more robust if they can be tested. To be clear, I agree largely with everything presented in Wilding (and love Knepp) and also think novel ideas to conservation need to happen. We can also disagree with some things and still sit in the room, listen, value a contribution and question still. Isabella is not a scientist, which is of course important to consider in the context of a book about ecology, with pros and cons for this point.

Wilding presents a lot of food for thought and lots of ideas. If nature connection, ecology, where food is produced, the South of England in general, farming or the politics of a family business interests you, you will love this book. I certainly do recommend it, it's also now easily purchasable secondhand or many libraries stock it. My library also had an audiobook version. I can't recommend it enough if you're planning a visit to Knepp (which I also thoroughly recommend) as it will give you a real sense of place and journey.

I have another blog about Knepp Estate, that you can read here. Although I do have my own connections to Knepp Estate, this review is written independently without favour.