Indicate which actions have been carried out to implement this Resolution :
Convene stakeholders/Networking
Education/Communication/Raising awareness
Scientific/technical activities
Describe the results/achievements of the actions taken:
As summarized for the previous reporting period, IUCN constituents mentioned above (5 members and 3 commissions plus the secretariat) have collaborated towards completing a series of actions. Online meetings were held with the CEM Rewilding Thematic Group to coordinate action; A website was developed detailing the resolution, the working group, and its recent activities (https://iucn-rwg.org/); a webinar was organized for SCB Europe on rewilding, introducing the resolution and the working group (https://conbio.org/groups/sections/europe/activities-fall-2021-webinar-series/); terms of reference were developed for the Rewilding Working Group, detailed here https://iucn-rwg.org/iucn-rewilding-working-group-terms-of-reference/; and a working group was established to implement the resolution.
This is the landing page of the Rewilding Working Group (RWG) that has been set up: https://iucn-rwg.org/
Additionally, The French National Committee of IUCN had been engaged in the promotion of free evolution as a preferred management method for Community Protected Areas - the explanatory guide to the concept was at the time being drafted. The French Committee had also been engaged in the promotion of this work and bringing it to the attention of protected area network managers and institutions in charge of protected area planning, and in the elaboration of the cartography of the gradients of potential naturalness in metropolitan continental France.
In the 2023 reporting period, ZSL, as co-chair of the Rewilding Working Group (https://iucn-rwg.org/), provided the following updates:
•There is now a full first draft available for “Guidelines for Rewilding”, as put together by the RWG, summarizing the process undertaken so far; detailing the rewilding definition proposed and the rationale for it; providing the revised set of principles and the rationale for it; and containing some generic guidelines around the design and implementation of rewilding projects.
•This full first draft is now undergoing informal consultation – consulted parties have involved contact points, sponsors, including WWF UK and WWF France, Rewilding Europe, the IUCN SSC, IUCN CEM, IUCN CEESP, and others.
•These guidelines are intentionally generic as the CEM Rewilding Task Force is working on more detailed ones, and it was agreed between the two groups to minimize overlap.
In the 2023 reporting period, CEM focal points provided the following updates:
CEM focal points have met quarterly (approx.) online with rewilding resolution (RWG) leads. These meetings have been collegiate and constructive. In addition, a member of the Rewilding Thematic Group (RTG) chaired by SC/IC acts as an RTG representative on the RWG. Towards the end of 2022 CEM reached agreement with the RWG that the RTG would co-author one of the key RWG outputs – guidelines for rewilding. From a CEM perspective, this is an important outcome in terms of coordinating rewilding activity across IUCN.
What challenges/obstacles have been encountered in the implementation of this Resolution and how were they overcome :
The implementation of the resolution is now pretty advanced. The rationale for the resolution and the working group however highlights important challenges that are still valid - IUCN constituents have different perspectives on rewilding, while the resolution aims to arrive at not only consensus but an IUCN Policy on rewilding. The resolution is also timebound to be completed prior to the next World Conservation Congress.
ZSL, in providing feedback for the 2023 progress update, reported no major issues, except for sometimes linked to connecting with the right stakeholders. For example, some time was needed to find the appropriate contacts within CEESP, however a working relationship has since been successfully established.
CEM, in providing feedback for the 2023 progress update, expressed some concerns regarding the draft guidelines prepared by the RWG - while highlighting that further discussion amongst CEM is needed before providing a more comprehensive focal point report.
In brief, while CEM applauded elements of the document, there was some concern about it becoming "too anthropocentric in its outlook, and risking missing the point of rewilding as a paradigm change in conservation and the fundamental relationships between humans and nature". CEM expressed particular concern that the intrinsic value of nature, a fundamental cornerstone of rewilding theory and practice, would appear to be missing from the draft document.
Underpinning these views, CEM cited a set of RTG outputs, including several articles, but more significantly:
The CEM RTG has developed the rewilding principles (https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cobi.13730) with the participation of other TG within CEM, including Ecosystem Restoration, NbS, Ecosystem Governance, Human Health and Ecosystem Management, Ecosystem Transformation and Resilience. This paper was based on an extensive two year research process conducted by CEM/RTG members involving a wide range of global rewilding theorists and practitioners, and was recognized by another recent paper (https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/er-2022-0091) as an important step toward consensus for the term Rewilding. Given this recent effort, CEM is unclear about the RWG's undertaking a significant revision of the rewilding definition and principles.
Briefly describe what future actions are needed for the implementation of this Resolution:
A year ago, the working group had already planned for several activities. This included organizing at least 3 meetings of the Rewilding Working Group in 2022, finalising the production of a revised set of rewilding principles and definition; at least 3 meetings with CEM's RTG, to coordinate action; at least two emails to all IUCN groups listed in the resolution, as well as all focal points for our resolution, updating them on progress and seeking input; organizing a session on restoration and rewilding at INTECOL 2022, where the resolution and its implementation will be discussed; producing a revised definition of rewilding, based on CEM's RTG work and consultation with ~100 stakeholders; producing a revised set of rewilding principles, based on CEM's RTG work and consultation with ~100 stakeholders. Most, if not all of this, seems to have been achieved.
In 2023, ZSL provided the following feedback in terms of envisioned next steps:
•The plan is for the “Guidelines for Rewilding” to enter a formal IUCN-wide consultation process by the end of 2023, and following any revisions after that, to send these on to the DG.
•The outcome of the Resolution was envisioned to be a set of guidelines and principles that would be approved by the DG, so there would in principle be no need for another resolution following this one.
•However, the Rewilding Working Group that was formed thus has a limited mandate, and will dissolve – it would be good to somehow ensure that this work continues.
•Suggestion to have a Rewilding Group across all IUCN Commissions, as a possible way forward.
CEM, in providing their update in 2023, suggested that, given the limited time available before the 2025 WCC and the need to work collaboratively and avoid duplicating effort and resources, it may be good if the Rewilding Working Group focuses its efforts on element 1.b of the Resolution, namely the development of Rewilding Policy.
With all this in mind, it will be fruitful for the RWG and CEM to continue to exchange on this important Resolution, and work together perhaps in even closer collaboration, towards its delivery before the next WCC. A great deal of progress has already been made, on which next steps may build. If deemed useful, the Secretariat stands ready to help connect and support efforts.
Are these actions planned for yet:
