Native Reintroduction & Rewilding

Aug 21

2 min read

Reintroduction returns a species to part of its former range, while rewilding can describe broader recovery of ecological processes and self-sustaining communities. Both terms cover projects with very different risks and levels of evidence.

Photorealistic restored Australian creek with clear flowing water, rocks, native grasses, shrubs and eucalyptus trees, fallen habitat logs, young regenerating plants, monitoring markers, and small native birds and insects visible among the vegetation. — A restored Australian creek corridor with layered native grasses, shrubs and trees, habitat logs and natural regeneration creating a diverse riparian habitat, with subtle monitoring markers and native wildlife returning to the landscape.

What This Index Covers

This index covers reference ecosystems, local occurrence, provenance, genetics, habitat readiness, plant reintroduction, conservation translocation, ecological processes, animal welfare, disease, permits, community authority and long-term monitoring. It separates ordinary garden planting from formal release of wildlife or threatened species.

Browse Resources

Browse the resource areas currently organised under this index. Links can be added as reviewed articles and records are published.

Define the goal - State the target species, community or process and the evidence for its former or appropriate presence.

Assess habitat readiness - Address threats, water, soil, connectivity and future climate before release or planting.

Choose suitable provenance - Consider identity, genetics, source impact, cultural authority and adaptation.

Plan the intervention - Set methods, permissions, welfare controls, contingencies and measurable outcomes.

Monitor and adapt - Track survival, reproduction, ecological effects, disease and unintended harm.

Share responsibly - Report methods and limits without encouraging unauthorised collection or release.

Read First

High-quality photorealistic 16:9 restored Australian landscape with layered native grasses, shrubs and trees beside a healthy creek, habitat logs and natural regeneration, small native birds and insects at realistic distance, subtle monitoring markers, no handling or release scene, no text or logos.

Coverage and Evidence

A species being native to a country or state does not prove it belongs at a particular site. Poorly planned movement can spread disease, mix unsuitable genetics, harm source populations or create welfare problems. Wildlife and threatened-species translocations require specialist planning and legal approval. Cultural knowledge and access may also be governed. Use accepted local records, reference models and monitored, authorised methods.

The Earth Resource Map and Learn library are being built progressively. Indexed means that a topic or resource can be connected to its identity, source and broad context; it does not mean that every claim has been verified or localised. Evidence is assessed claim by claim. Where information is missing, uncertain, restricted or location-dependent, that limitation should remain visible.

Last Reviewed

20 August 2026

This date records review of this index-page copy and its resource structure. Individual articles, records, laws, project details and evidence may have different publication and review dates.

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References

International Union for Conservation of Nature and Species Survival Commission. (2013). Guidelines for reintroductions and other conservation translocations. https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/10386

Society for Ecological Restoration. International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration. https://www.ser.org/page/standardsguidelinesprinciples