'Vision of Hope' presented to Scottish Government
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There’s something so profoundly hopeful about rewilding. It’s not about looking back or clinging to what once was, but about looking forward to what’s possible.
It’s not about halting the economy or sacrificing livelihoods; it’s about creating a new world where humans and nature coexist harmoniously.
That’s why contributing to this campaign with Rewilding Nation, who are on a mission to make Scotland a global leader in restoring the natural world, feels so meaningful.
Lynx, dragonflies, fungi and moths! New illustrations created for the Rewilding Nation campaign.
Scotland currently ranks as one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.
This campaign urges the Scottish Government to declare Scotland the world’s first Rewilding Nation by committing 30% of land and seas to rewilding, while benefitting farmland and making space for more wildness in our day-to-day lives.
For me personally, creativity is the vehicle to achieve this—to inject colour and playfulness to captivate hearts and minds, and tap into a sense of natural wonder and curiosity that we all inherently have as children.
Bringing together text and imagery, the goal was to capture the diverse natural and human elements of rewilding — both on land and at sea.
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a coalition of more than 20 charities and campaign groups, presented the pathway to Minister for Climate Action, Dr Alasdair Allan MSP, at a reception in Edinburgh.
It sets out what it describes as a trailblazing ‘vision of hope’ for Scotland requiring leadership from government in line with its international commitments, presenting solutions that work for nature, people and the economy.
The final design, sustainably printed as tri-fold leaflets, presents the seven-point pathway to rewild 30% of Scotland by 2030.
And the Scottish communities are behind the campaign. They want a wilder Scotland. There is growing evidence showing 80% of people in Scotland want policies in place to support rewilding.
Since the Rewilding Nation Charter first launched, thousands have signed it, alongside their own messages of hope.
"Addressing the nature crisis requires a whole government and a whole society approach - working together to achieve a nature positive Scotland by 2030.”
As I wrote previously, since relocating to Scotland, it has been a joy to get involved in projects within the rewilding sphere.
To see my creative work being used in a political landscape (in this case, literally in the hands of a Government minister) was a very proud moment, indeed.
Dr Alasdair Allan MSP, Acting Minister for Climate Action, is handed my 'Vision of Hope' artwork by The Scottish Rewilding Alliance convenor, Karen Blackport.
Finally, a massive thank you to Charlotte Maddix and the Rewilding Britain team for all of their hard work, and bringing me on board for this campaign to help restore and sustain a wilder planet.