Renaturing: Small Ways to Wild the World

Reviewed by Andrew Burton

James Canton (Canongate: 2025)

Questions of scale lie at the heart of the climate and ecological emergency. Many of us feel overwhelmed at the scale of environmental destruction unfolding at a planetary level and feel powerless to bring about any meaningful change through our own actions. This can lead to a crippling sense of paralysis, even hopelessness. What, we may ask, can be done?

For James Canton, Director of Wild Writing at the University of Essex and the author of many books on the wonders of the natural world, the answer was blindingly simple. 25 years ago, having moved from his native London, James bought an Essex farm labourer’s cottage and managed to procure an adjoining two-acre field. Initially, James’ plan was simply to hack down the overgrown field and create a makeshift cricket pitch (of sorts) for friends to play on. But in recent years, having become increasingly attuned to the needs of nature, James has turned his attention to transforming this overgrown and unprepossessing parcel of land into a wildlife haven brimming with biodiversity.

His journey of transformation – both of the land and of himself along the way – is the subject of this timely and important book. The essential thesis is that all of us, no matter how much or little space we have access to, can make a meaningful difference to the richness and biodiversity of the environment which surrounds us and of which we are part. 

It is an engrossing account, told with wit and warmth. Along the way, we learn of James’ long-term quest to dig a substantial pond in the field; his ruminations of the politics of rewilding and – a new term to me – ‘wildwashing’; the ethics of reintroducing species; and even how to ‘rewild’ a window box. There are anecdotes galore, backed up by forays into the latest academic research and some highly memorable characters. All combine to make the book an extremely enjoyable and informative read.

The old ecological adage ‘Think global, act local’ never rang truer. James gets down and dirty with unyielding clay soil, slippery and dilapidated wheelbarrows, weather that turns against him, and a whole host of unexpected twists and turns. Throughout, his natural curiosity, warmth and humour shine through. A fascinating and heart-warming real-life story of how care, attention and patience – and sometimes sheer dogged bloody-mindedness! – can bring about real and lasting change. Highly recommended.