Our most popular stories of 2023

Rewilding and the law, the world's first rewilding centre, feeding wild birds, tree-based farming and an artist who works with wild plants: our top stories of the year cover the gamut.

As the year comes to a close, we're looking back at the articles we published that were especially well read. Here, in case you missed them the first time, are the top five stories of 2023. We look forward to covering even more global rewilding stories in 2024. Happy Solstice and Happy New Year!

5. It shouldn’t be illegal to rewild your yard

Purple and yellow flowers and other greenery in an urban front yard
A pollinator garden in a front yard in Toronto. Photo: Carol Pasternak.

Replacing lawn with native plants is an important way to take action against biodiversity loss and spread the word about the value of nature. Here are some tips to get your neighbourhood and municipality on board.

4. The world’s first rewilding centre is open for visitors

On a sunny day with blue skies, groups of autumn-coloured plants in a nursery setting
The Dundreggan tree nursery. Credit: Trees for Life.

Deep in the Scottish Highlands at the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, UK charity Trees for Life is showcasing how rewilding works and what it could mean for the future of the region.

3. We need to rethink how we feed wild birds

A yellowish bird perched on a plant eating seeds, with an out-of-focus green background
An American goldfinch feeding on seeds. Photo: Gregor Beck.

Birdseed has its place, but what threatened wild birds really need is more natural sources of food – in your backyard and beyond.

2. The community beating drought with tree-based farming

A group of people listening to one person talk, in an outdoor setting surrounded by green
Malvikaa Solanki speaking with local farmers about the 1000 Trees Project. Photo: Swayyam/Deepthi Indukuri.

Smallholder farmers in southern India have suffered from devastating droughts linked to deforestation. With regenerative organic agriculture, they're working to bring back yields while healing the land, too.

1. The New Brunswick man who weaves the wild

An organically shaped woven basket on a dark background
One of Simpson's pieces, made from red spruce root, round reed, flat reed, cane and natural pigment.

Ralph Simpson’s baskets, tapestries and sculptures turn foraged materials into artworks inspired by the natural world.

Want more? Skip back to 2021 and 2022:

Our Most Popular Rewilding Stories of 2022
Urban rewilding, replacing lawns, the importance of art and the trouble with monocultures: our top stories of the year cover the gamut.
Our Best Rewilding Stories of 2021 | Rewilding Magazine
Urban beavers, nature books, rewilding heroes and redefining wilderness: our top stories of the year cover the gamut.