By: Jonathan Kocsis, Lead Intern
While I have just entered the world of rewilding, I have learned that it’s more than just planting trees or growing your food. It’s about changing how we see nature and our place within it; we are not separate from nature but a vital part of it. From the air we breathe, supplied by the vast forests and oceans, to the water we drink, filtered through natural hydrological cycles, our very existence is dependent on ecological processes. Beyond these fundamental dependencies, our cultural, spiritual, and aesthetic experiences are deeply rooted in nature, inspiring art, and literature, and providing spaces for recreation and contemplation. This deep connection to natural rhythms and phenomena is reflected in countless artistic endeavors, from ancient cave paintings to classical landscape architecture and contemporary environmental art. The inherent beauty and grandeur of nature, its intricate patterns, vibrant colors, and dynamic processes, elicit a universal aesthetic appreciation that inspires creativity, contemplation, and a profound sense of belonging within the larger tapestry of life.
I have personally always been around nature, from camping to hiking and fishing, nature has always been a place I can go to unwind and relax. However, through rewilding, I have begun to change how I see the nature around me and how I am a part of it. From the noise I make when hiking to the trees and flowers I grow in my backyard, I am changing nature, and in turn, nature is changing me. This can be as simple as smelling the flowers as they bloom, to a deer being startled as I walk by. Rewilding has taught me to look deeper into my connection to nature, how I affect it in my everyday life and how to improve that connection. I have begun to populate my yard with plants native to New Jersey, as well as growing my food on a small scale. I have also begun to see myself as a part of nature rather than just being “in nature” which has further led me down the path of rewilding. The main takeaway from rewilding is that we are all a part of nature and it’s up to us to strengthen that bond to strengthen ourselves and our way of life in this modern world.
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