Wilding

Posted by Penny Maher

17 January 2025

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Thank you to the GSI for funding the screening of Wilding.

We watched a really special film based on the bestselling book by Isabella Tree. Wilding is an inspiring true story about a couple who challenge the expectations of what a farm is and succeed in rewilding a large-farm estate in Sussex.

Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell inherited a large farm. It had been farmed for generations and was in poor condition. So they decided to stop farming it, remove the fences and release animals (cows, deer, pigs etc). They actively tried to disrupt the land, allowing it to heal.

Their approach was incredibly successful. They were meet with many obstacles along the way but now have a thriving habitat, which they have turned into a profitable business.

Following the film, we discussed how beautiful the film was. It was a pleasure to watch. We discussed the profitability of the estate they now owned, despite the early years when there was not a lot of income. They have tourism to the farm, write books, and sell meat generated on the farm. The film did not discuss food production, and this was something we continued talking about. How the farming and food consumer model is broken. How rewilding land opens up farming options in the future for food production.

Thanks to everyone who came to the event. It was a wonderful film and we were pleased to be able to share it with you.