A growing number of rewilding projects across Britain are reporting significant ecological improvements, prompting calls for greater recognition of the approach within national nature recovery strategies.

One of the projects highlighting those gains is Heal Somerset, a rewilding site in southwest England that has documented increases in wildlife populations and habitat diversity since restoration efforts began three years ago.According to Heal Rewilding, the charity behind the project, monitoring data show measurable changes in biodiversity across the site.

The number of small mammal species recorded has increased from three to five over the period, while a range of habitats has developed as former agricultural land has been allowed to recover.The project is supported by more than 250 volunteers who contribute to ecological surveys, removal of barbed-wire fencing and other restoration activities.

Community engagement forms a central part of the initiative, with the charity working alongside 15 underserved groups involved in managing and maintaining the site.Participants include people living with dementia, individuals with additional needs and those experiencing financial hardship.

Schools and youth organizations also take part in educational and conservation activities.The site has become an increasingly popular destination for visitors seeking access to natural landscapes undergoing ecological recovery.

Heal Rewilding founder Jan Stannard said many older visitors describe the experience as a reminder of landscapes that were once more common in Britain before decades of agricultural intensification.“An increasing number of people are coming either as visitors or camping and if they are older they are being transported back to a childhood experience of abundance that they will not get in the farmed countryside,” Stannard said.

She said visitors frequently report hearing insects and bird species that have become less common in many agricultural areas.“They are hearing grasshoppers and crickets in the day and birds such as linnet or greenfinch, which are much less common now,” she said.

The ecological transformation has also been evident to staff working on the project since its early stages.Dan Hill, a 25-year-old rewilding ranger who joined Heal Somerset three years ago, recalled arriving when large areas of the site were dominated by rye grass.“I remember seeing the monoculture of rye grass swaying in the wind and thinking, crikey, it’s desolate,” Hill said.He said the pace of ecological change had exceeded his expectations.

“Three years has flown by and so much has changed. It’s incredibly exciting. I’m learning so much,” he said.Hill described the project as evidence of the capacity of ecosystems to recover when human intervention is reduced and natural processes are allowed to re-establish themselves.“Seeing what nature wants to do – it’s very hopeful,” he said.

He added that public response has been an important part of the project’s success.“When you get people coming to the site and they say: ‘I just want to keep coming back, I’ve never seen a site like this before,’ it really puts a smile on your face,” Hill said.Among the features attracting attention are natural wetland systems created by beavers.

The rodents have become increasingly common across eastern Somerset and are widely viewed by conservationists as important ecosystem engineers because of their ability to create ponds and wetlands that benefit a range of species.Heal Rewilding said its latest report was motivated in part by what it viewed as limited coverage of rewilding initiatives in the 2023 UK-wide State of Nature report.

The charity argues that while rewilding has expanded rapidly across Britain, evidence documenting outcomes has not always been systematically collected or incorporated into broader assessments of biodiversity recovery.

“We were struck by how little attention was given to rewilding, despite the extraordinary growth of the movement,” Stannard said.“There are now hundreds of rewilding projects across Britain and many report seeing remarkable ecological changes.”She said the sector must increasingly rely on scientific monitoring and measurable outcomes if rewilding is to become a more prominent component of environmental policy.

“Stories alone are not enough,” Stannard said. “If rewilding is to be fully recognised within national nature recovery strategies, we need robust evidence of its impact.”

The report forms part of a broader effort by conservation groups to demonstrate how rewilding projects can contribute to biodiversity restoration while also delivering social and educational benefits through community participation and public access to recovering landscapes.

In the heart of Saudi Arabia’s northwestern mountains, a rare flower has reemerged after decades of disappearance. The sighting of Globularia alypum, known locally as “Zuraiqa” or “Aynon Kuhli,” has reignited national pride and ecological optimism.

Once widespread, this delicate blue daisy had vanished due to overgrazing and land degradation. Its return marks not just a scientific milestone but also a celebration of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing environmental revival.

Environmental consultant Oubaid Alouni, a former adviser at the National Vegetation Center, described the discovery as deeply symbolic.
“The primary cause of its scarcity is overgrazing, as it is an excellent grazing species,” he said. “The second cause is land degradation. The third cause is a history of neglect.”

Belonging to the Plantaginaceae family, Globularia alypum is native to the Mediterranean basin. It thrives in North Africa, southern Europe, and parts of Southwest Asia — including Saudi Arabia’s mountainous regions.

Alouni noted that the plant’s survival is tied to its resilience and adaptability. “Camels heavily graze it, so it is more commonly found in mountainous or calcareous regions where it is naturally protected,” he said.

He praised ongoing national initiatives that focus on restoring native vegetation and protecting endangered species. Saudi Arabia’s environmental centers are investing in reforestation, habitat restoration, and seed preservation programs.

To ensure Globularia alypum’s survival, Alouni recommends replanting it in its natural northwestern habitats. He also advocates for public education and the cultivation of this plant in home gardens to raise awareness of its ecological and medicinal importance.

Standing between 30 and 80 centimeters tall, the shrub forms dense, woody bushes with evergreen leaves. Its spherical clusters of soft blue to violet blooms paint the winter landscape with beauty and life from October through June.

“The advantage of this shrub is that it can become an annual in very hot places,” Alouni explained. “The seeds fall into the soil, and if winter comes with mild weather and rains, it sprouts again.”

He described it poetically: “It is like a beautiful dress with its lovely navy-blue color and round shape.” For many, this flower symbolizes endurance — thriving quietly even under challenging environmental conditions.

Beyond its visual charm, Globularia alypum holds remarkable medicinal value rooted in traditional healing practices. It has been used for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic effects across generations.

Scientific studies by national research centers confirm its health benefits. Extracts from the plant can help lower blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity due to its rich polyphenolic compounds.

“It is useful as an anti-rheumatic, antidiabetic, and for intermittent fevers, in addition to its use as a laxative,” Alouni added. Its blend of beauty and biology makes it a perfect symbol of the bond between nature and medicine.

However, Alouni cautioned that more research and documentation are needed. Some specimens remain unrecorded due to their rarity and the limited number of botanical experts available.

He emphasized that maintaining accurate plant records is crucial for understanding biodiversity and shaping conservation policy. Every species documented contributes to preserving the Kingdom’s environmental knowledge and natural legacy.

The rediscovery of the blue daisy underscores the growing momentum behind Saudi Arabia’s ecological restoration. It highlights how traditional wisdom and modern science can unite to safeguard the nation’s natural treasures.

This humble flower, once forgotten, now stands as a living emblem of regeneration and hope. Its return to the wild reflects the country’s broader vision — to protect its environment, nurture biodiversity, and celebrate the beauty of its land.