Below are some excellent podcasts, films, and documentaries that offer insightful stories on rewilding, biodiversity, and environmental restoration. These media provide a range of perspectives, from local efforts in Yorkshire to broader projects across Europe.
Film: Six Inches of Soil
Released: 4 January 2024
About: The inspiring story of British farmers standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food – to heal the soil, benefit our health and provide for local communities.
Availability:
- Buy or rent on the website
- Amazon Prime Video
Reviewed by: Gareth Young
This interesting and well-organised film looks at soil problems through the stories of three hardworking farmers. They are all focused on regenerative agriculture, a farming method that helps improve soil health and the environment. The film shows the good things this method does for both the environment and business. It also tells the personal stories of the farmers, like a vegetable farmer who had a tough summer in 2022, and compares these with a history of harmful industrial farming. The film uses simple visuals, like comparing soil samples, to make its point clear.
Experts share practical ideas, even helping a livestock farmer make his herd a carbon sink (absorbing more carbon from the air). The film shows how much dedication and strength are needed for positive change. Despite having many different voices, the documentary ends on a hopeful and emotional note, especially when a farmer is happy after overcoming challenges. It encourages viewers to support these farmers and the regenerative movement by making smart buying choices, giving a hopeful view on farming’s role in climate change. It’s a must-watch for anyone interested in how food is produced.
Film: Why Not Scotland?
Released: 26 September 2024
About: A feature-length documentary at the heart of the Alliance’s Rewilding Nation campaign, following Flo, a young Glaswegian, on a personal journey across Europe. Driven by concern for nature’s decline, she finds hope in powerful stories of ecological recovery and rewilding success.
Availability: YouTube
Reviewed by: John Hartshorn
“Why Not Scotland?” is a powerful and visually striking documentary from The Scottish Rewilding Alliance’s Rewilding Nation campaign. It follows 26-year-old Flo, from Glasgow, as she embarks on a transformative journey across Europe. Initially despairing about the decline of nature in Scotland, Flo visits various rewilding sites to witness nature’s remarkable comeback firsthand.
Her travels reveal expanding forests, freed rivers, and restored wetlands in places like Italy, Germany, and Norway. The film beautifully captures these revitalised landscapes, demonstrating not only nature’s resurgence but also the positive impact on local communities. Through the people she meets and the stories she uncovers, Flo finds renewed hope, realising that significant change is achievable. The documentary poses a compelling question: if rewilding can thrive elsewhere, “Why not Scotland?” This inspiring film is a must-watch for anyone seeking a more hopeful future for nature, with a message that resonates far beyond Scotland’s borders. So, “Why not England?”. “Why not Wales?”.
Film: Ocean With David Attenborough
Released: 8 May 2025
About: A journey through the ocean’s wonders—from coral reefs to open seas—revealing its crucial role in Earth’s survival. David Attenborough reflects on a lifetime of ocean discovery, spotlighting threats like overfishing and coral bleaching, while offering hope through the sea’s remarkable ability to recover.
Availability:
- Screening in cinemas from 8 May 2025
- Later to be available on National Geographic, Disney+ and Hulu
Reviewed by: Debbie Davitt
“If we save our seas, we save our world”. This terrific film lifts the lid on some ugly truths about how humans are treating the waters upon which all life depends. This is David Attenborough at his storytelling best. It is full of hope, explaining some of our most recent understandings of the wide oceans. There is a clear message about what we need to do and how nature bounces back when it is just left alone. Go and see it… and then write to your MP!
Film: Wilding
Released: 14 June 2025
About: Wilding follows a young couple who transform their failing 400-year-old estate by embracing nature. Defying tradition, they remove fences and let wildlife reclaim the land—launching one of Europe’s most influential rewilding projects.
Availability:
- Screening in selected cinemas from 14 June 2025
- Purchase the DVD
- Purchase on YouTube
- Apple TV, Virgin, Sky Store, Amazon
Podcast: The Rewild Podcast
About: Hosted by filmmaker James Shooter, The Rewild Podcast shares monthly stories of nature recovery across Europe. Featuring projects from Rewilding Europe and its wider network, the show highlights inspiring people and landscapes restoring wild nature. Shooter draws on his work with Scotland: The Big Picture. Notable episodes are ‘Episode 1: Affric Highlands,’ ‘Episode 2: SeaWilding’ and ‘Episode 16: Saving Wildcats,’ which focus on locations in Scotland.
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Reviewed by: John Hartshorn
The series is beautifully presented and paints vivid pictures of the landscapes and people associated with each site that James visits. I found each episode informative, positive, and hopeful – exactly what you’d expect from rewilding projects. Those who don’t have a background or detailed knowledge of the ecological, geographical, social, and economic aspects of rewilding will find the language and style of delivery extremely engaging and accessible.
Podcast: Rewilding The World
About: Hosted by British financier and rewilding advocate Ben Goldsmith, the podcast features conversations with influential figures spearheading significant rewilding and nature restoration projects across the planet. From the UK to diverse ecosystems worldwide, Goldsmith explores the dramatic and inspiring work being done to revitalise natural landscapes.
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Reviewed by: John Hartshorn
The language, style, tone, and content of the episodes make them very engaging, positive, and optimistic. If you are just starting your journey of rewilding discovery, then I’d recommend starting with the “What is rewilding?” episode from 3rd August in which Ben chats with 2 of the UK’s most prominent authorities regarding rewilding.
Podcast: Trees a Crowd
Episode: Rosalind Forbes Adam: The field of dreams at the Woodmeadow Trust (Series 2, Episode 16)
Released: 15 June 2020
About: Hosted by David Oakes, this podcast explores how nature shapes lives through conversations with artists, scientists, and nature lovers. In this episode, David visits the Woodmeadow Trust in York with founder Rosalind Forbes Adam, who shares how a simple woodland idea became a movement to restore biodiversity. Discover the vision behind creating habitat-rich meadow corridors and how others are being inspired to rewild their own land.
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Reviewed by: Tessa Buckley
Rosalind documents her journey from a newbie wilder to a knowledgeable wood meadow enthusiast. This episode keeps a relatively calm and formal tone, touching upon Rosalind’s learning curves, and her blended approach of rewilding and natural management. The overall theme of acting now, rather than planning for the future, is an important undertone to the episode. On a side note, fellow period drama lovers may recognise host David!
Podcast: Nature Tripping
Episode: Rewilding (Episode 24)
Released: 03 September 2023
About: What does rewilding in the British Isles mean, how do you start it off, and what happens when you do? This episode visits the 3000 acre Broughton Hall estate in Yorkshire with Rewilding Britain’s Alastair Driver to see how nature is bouncing back.
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Reviewed by: Caitlin Buttery
In a captivating episode, Rewilding Britain’s Alistair Driver joins hosts Jo Kennedy and Cathy Shaw to explore the thriving Broughton Estate in Yorkshire. This large-scale rewilding project serves as a prime example of nature’s comeback.
Alistair guides listeners through the estate’s diverse habitats—from vibrant wildflower meadows to land surrounding rivers and streams and rough grasslands—highlighting the significant nature successes. The project also plays a vital role in reducing the impacts of climate change, contributing to the Aire valley’s flood defences.
The conversation looks into policies and incentives designed to encourage landowners to embrace rewilding, sharing Alistair’s experience expanding the Rewilding Britain network. He passionately advocates for social and economic benefits of rewilding, revealing a remarkable 78% increase in employment in rewilded areas compared to their previous, less impactful uses like grouse moors. Amongst the sounds of babbling streams and birdsong, they even explore the habitat now home to Broughton’s beavers.
Podcast: Wilder Podcast
Episode: Taking Rewilding Mainstream with Alister Scott of the Global Rewilding Alliance (Episode 37)
Released: 20 March 2025
About: Episode 37 celebrates World Rewilding Day with Alister Scott (featured in the YRN Spring 2025 newsletter), exploring what a rewilded world looks like, how to achieve it, and why it matters. Topics include climate stabilisation, eco-anxiety, environmental education, and how success stories can help make rewilding mainstream.
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Podcast: Rewildology Podcast:
Episode: Rewilding the Planet – Restoring Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Hope with Alister Scott, PhD (Episode 192)
Released: 19 December 2024
About: In this episode, Alister Scott (featured in YRN’s Spring 2025 newsletter) shares his journey from Antarctic conservation to leading global rewilding efforts. He explores the rapid rise of the rewilding movement, its guiding principles, and how it restores ecosystems, empowers communities, and rekindles our connection to nature.
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Podcast: Knepp Wildland
Released:
About: Join Knepp ecologist, Penny Green, and experience some of the wildlife wonders encountered, the secrets uncovered and the remarkable people who are part of the Knepp Wildland project.
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Podcast: Into the Wild
Episode: Nature Room 101 with Dr Amy Jane Beer & Lee Schofield (Episode 6)
Released: 28 August 2023
About: Into the Wild is a podcast hosted by Ryan Dalton and Nadia Shaikh that blends conservation news with in-depth discussions on specific topics. In their episode 6 ‘Nature Room 101’ segment, RSPB site manager Lee Schofield joins the hosts to share their frustrations and pet peeves related to nature. Schofield leads the RSPB Haweswater rewilding project in the Lake District, and discusses the challenges of implementing nature-friendly farming practices in the face of established traditions.
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Music LP: Sounds of Rewilding: A Day in the Life of the Knepp Estate
Released: 21 April 2025
About: A unique LP capturing the soundscapes of Britain’s Knepp Estate, from birdsong to beaver habitats, recorded from dawn to dusk. Released on recycled vinyl by Republic Of Music in partnership with Rewilding Britain, it promotes biodiversity, sustainability, and features a 44% cut in carbon emissions through eco-conscious production.
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Reviewed by: Tessa Buckley
Amazing, immersive sounds of nature. Perfect background noise to relax, but my cat was on high alert!