SHOW ME, DON'T TELL ME
Rewilding and tourism may seem like unlikely bedfellows but as SBP's Executive Director, Peter Cairns, explains, they are in fact, inextricably linked.
The practical idea of rewilding is a relatively simple one, but the social and cultural barriers it must navigate are anything but simple. Why? Because rewilding means changing the way in which we perceive and relate to the landscapes around us, and the species that share our space.
So, how do we navigate this fundamental shift in mindsets and bring people with us on this rewilding journey? There’s no single answer to this question, but one of the most effective approaches is to show people what rewilding looks like on the ground, what it means and the benefits it offers. I know from personal experience that seeing rewilding in action can be transformative.
Enter our programme of Rewilding Journeys. These immersive experiences – primarily delivered from SCOTLAND: The Big Picture’s base in the Cairngorms – enable small groups to visit pioneering rewilding projects and meet the inspiring people driving them forward. Add in our knowledgeable local guides, the stunning setting of our accommodation and high quality, locally sourced food, and you have all the ingredients for a perfect ‘learning holiday’ that blends fun, discovery and inspiration. Time after time we see our guests going away fired up by what they have seen, going back to their own communities with first-hand experience of what rewilding can offer and crucially, becoming new champions for rewilding.
For us, and for our guests, these experiences also have a wider purpose. We are determined to demonstrate that nature-rich landscapes have a social and economic value, and can help communities prosper. To this end, we are committed to using the income from Rewilding Journeys to employ local staff and to source as much of our produce as possible from within our area. This not only cuts down on food miles and packaging, but helps answer the question of how rewilding can pay? I recall a farmer once telling me: ‘A beautiful landscape won’t pay your mortgage.’ I disagreed at the time and still disagree now! We believe that committing more land and water to rewilding can be financially beneficial.
And so to the elephant in the room. We’re constantly humbled and inspired by the positive feedback we receive from our guests, but there's no getting away from the fact that in encouraging people to travel, we are also contributing to climate change. We've given this a lot of thought. Fundamentally, we believe that nature-based travel is a force for good and it can deliver a positive benefit to both nature and wider society. But we're not resting on our laurels - as an organisation, we remain committed to reducing our carbon footprint and for Rewilding Journeys, we want to deliver a high impact experience with a low impact on the planet. There’s much room for improvement, but we're excited to be on the journey.
