# A Journey to Protect the Planet

## Rewilding: A Brief Overview

Did you know that the word "wilde" in Old English means a natural, untamed state? It reflects a place where nature and animals are free and not controlled by humans. This idea of rewilding came about in the 1990s as a response to the growing threat of ecological collapse and a greater understanding of how ecosystems work as a whole.&#x20;

Rewilding goes beyond traditional restoration efforts by focusing on large-scale restoration and reintroducing key species that play a crucial role in maintaining a diverse ecosystem. It aligns with the United Nations' *Decade of Ecosystem Restoration* and aims to bring back species that have been lost, allowing nature to take its course. Despite facing challenges like social and political factors, rewilding projects have shown promising results and have sparked interesting discussions and perspectives in the 21st century.

![Amakhala Game Reserve - once grazing pastures for livestock and farming. ](https://1233047355-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOtxKKg0LDGZrbayMw3lv%2Fuploads%2FKicat6sCNKxsoRYlDnWl%2FAmakhala%20Game%20Reserve.jpeg?alt=media\&token=99e7a8a7-f340-4b5b-8f51-ebc6219fe675)

## The Problem&#x20;

Africa's wildlife and biodiversity face increasing threats due to human encroachment and the expansion of degraded, poorly-utilized land. Access to wilderness land ownership is limited to high-net-worth individuals, leaving many environmentally-minded individuals with few avenues to contribute to important conservation initiatives. R3WILD addresses this problem by democratizing land ownership, allowing anyone to become a custodian or an owner in a wildlife reserve and contribute to restoration efforts.
