A Leonardo DiCaprio-backed campaign calling for Scotland to become the first ‘Rewilding Nation in the World’ has raised almost a million dirhams in less than a week.
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a coalition of more than 20 organisations, is urging the Scottish Government to boost conservation strategies, by designating the pioneering global move.
The fundraising drive raised AED 920,420 in just six days.
Kevin Cumming, Campaign Director, said: ‘The outpouring of support for our ground-breaking Rewilding Nation campaign – through donations and by signing the Rewilding Nation Charter – shows how much Scotland’s rewilding journey is inspiring people from all walks of life.
‘Scotland has a real moment of choice and opportunity here – offering hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies, while creating a cascade of benefits for people and local communities. That includes better health, new jobs, food security, and healthy rivers and seas.’
Supporting Scotland
Earlier this month, Oscar-winning actor and prominent environmental campaigner, DiCaprio backed the Rewilding Nation campaign in an Instagram post which has been liked almost 100,000 times.
He sated: ‘With this campaign, Scotland could be a world leader in rewilding its landscapes, ensuring clean air and water, storing carbon, reducing flooding, restoring wildlife, and improving the lives of locals.’
The alliance said that Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world but believes that it is possible to rewild 30 per cent per cent of it by restoring habitats including peatlands, native woodlands, wetlands, rivers and seas, with no loss of productive farmland.
Alliance member Trees for Life has invited DiCaprio to visit the charity’s Dundreggan Rewilding Centre near Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. It is part of Affric Highlands, the UK’s biggest rewilding landscape project.
