WHY NOT SCOTLAND?
Across mainland Europe, nature is making a dramatic recovery. Wildlife is returning, forests are expanding, rivers are being set free and wetlands restored. As nature bounces back, people are returning too, finding new economic opportunities and enjoying the many benefits of a revitalised landscape.
So, if rewilding can happen in Italy, Germany, Poland and Norway, could Scotland be next?
A REWILDING NATION
More and more of us are becoming aware that Scotland ranks as one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth, but what if a different future was possible? What is happening across Europe shows us how landscape-scale ecological restoration can deliver major benefits for nature, climate and people.
SCOTLAND: The Big Picture is a founding member of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a collaboration between organisations who are calling for Scotland to declare itself the world’s first Rewilding Nation, with nature flourishing across 30% of all our land and seas.
#RewildingNation
Why Not Scotland? is a feature-length documentary, which forms a central part of the Alliance’s Rewilding Nation campaign. The film accompanies Flo, a young Scot from Glasgow, on an intensely personal journey, as she seeks out examples of nature recovery around Europe. Like many of her generation, Flo is concerned by the state of nature and fearful about an uncertain future. However, during her travels, she discovers places where nature is making a spectacular comeback, breathing life back into the landscape and revitalising human communities. Encouraged by these stories of hope and renewal, she is prompted to wonder: Why Not Scotland?
Filmed during the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, Why Not Scotland? showcases many of the transformational changes already happening elsewhere in Europe and presents the exciting possibility of Scotland enjoying a similar revival. The film will be released in spring 2024, beginning with a nationwide screening tour.
Why Not Scotland? has been produced on behalf of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance with support from: Trees for Life, Rewilding Britain,The European Nature Trust, Rewilding Europe, Woodland Trust Scotland and Kilchoan Estate.
HOST YOUR OWN SCREENING
Why Not Scotland? is available for independent screenings from 1 April 2024. The 60-minute film is perfect for community events, festivals, conferences, clubs and societies, and cinemas/theatres.
You could organise an intimate gathering of a community group considering a rewilding project, ask your local cinema to host a screening, or you could make the film the centrepiece for a major conference.
There is no cost for a screening licence, but your event must be registered so we can ensure you have the optimal film format for your venue, and that you receive our screening toolkit containing advice and promotional assets.
SCHOOLS
Interested in showing Why Not Scotland? to your class? The film, suitable for upper primary and above, explores themes within 7 UN Sustainable Development Goals and links to the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence.
The film can support critical thinking, discussion and learning within many of the experiences and outcomes at second, third and fourth levels of Social Studies: People, Place and Environment and within Science: Planet Earth and Topical Science. By connecting with Flo on her journey across Europe, we hope the next generation are inspired by the possibility of a richer, more diverse future.
THE CHARTER
If you share our vision for a country that once again teems with life and you want to see Scotland become a Rewilding Nation, you can show your support by signing the Rewilding Nation Charter.
#RewildingNation
