Collective Action. Powerful Impact
Sitting at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, the island of Cyprus boasts a rich tapestry of biodiversity. Yet, like many regions globally, it faces environmental pressures that threaten its unique ecosystems. In response, rewilding initiatives have gained momentum, aiming to restore degraded habitats and reinstate natural processes.
Rewilding in Cyprus: A Mediterranean Perspective
Rewilding in Cyprus presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The island’s Mediterranean climate, characterized by very hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, shapes unique ecosystems. The Maquis shrubland is the dominant habitat in Cyprus. Its a dense, evergreen shrubland that has adapted to the nation's hot dry conditions. Then there are the Pine Forests which are found in higher elevations. The pine forests provide habitat for various species, play a crucial role in water regulation and produce diverse water-habitats important to many native species. Finally the island has numerous coastal wetlands and salt marshes that support migratory birds and diverse aquatic life.
Rewilding efforts in Cyprus focus on restoring these three rich existing habitats which are being increasingly lost to urbanisation and desertification across the island. These are issues caused by Cyprus' growing global position in the world as a crossroads between Asia, Russia and Europe. Many environmental projects on the island focus on habitat loss and degradation driven by pressures of urbanisation, unregulated agriculture, and increasing tourism. The overgrazing by livestock impacts vegetation and soil health. Invasive species now threaten native flora and fauna. And climate change has contributed to exacerbating water scarcity and increasing the risk of wildfires.
Key Rewilding Projects and Approaches in Cyprus:
Just as we do in LettsSafari's rewilding parks in the UK, rewilding efforts in Cyprus maintain the overarching goal of restoring natural ecosystems by arresting the decline in biodiverse animal life, plantlife, and soil quality.
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing:
As Cyprus' numerous projects reflect, there is potential for collaboration and knowledge sharing between organizations working on rewilding in different regions. Sharing best practices, research findings, and management techniques can benefit rewilding efforts globally. This is the goal of LettsSafari+ for the coming year, to share the best examples and workings of rewilding around the world.
Rewilding in Cyprus is a vital endeavor to protect the island’s unique natural heritage. By understanding the specific challenges and opportunities within the Mediterranean context, rewilders can implement effective strategies to restore ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for Cyprus’s biodiversity. It is in recognising our local contexts that we can understand the best ways to handle rewilding in our own local areas and become a crucial fabric to our communities.
In 2024, LettsSafari worked hard to promote rewilding and biodiversity restoration. Our efforts encompassed expanding our rewilding initiatives, engaging our community through educational projects and content, and participating in global environmental movements. And, of course, we were never happier than doing the work on the ground in our very own LettsSafari parks.
Our rewilding safari parks have been developing well, and are making quite an impact. The parks are carefully designed to restore natural habitats, support diverse wildlife populations, and combat climate change. We emphasise a collaborative approach, encouraging public participation in building the parks both physically and with LettsSafari subscriptions that fund tree planting, animal introductions, habitat development and brand new rewilding safari parks.
For every 10 subscribers we plant a 5 year old, naturally grown tree annually, every hundred subscribers support the introduction of new wild animals each year and every 10,000 subscribers we add a whole new safari park a year.
This year we planted more than thirty 5 year old trees across our parks - all grown naturally in LettsSafari's Capability Brown gardens. We created habitats for yet more diverse bird life with our extended waterways and further growth of natural hedgerows. This was the first year that we heard Nightingale in our parks and, at the same time, our birds of prey kept adding to their numbers. Our efforts to protect a resident herd of black fallow deer has been very successful.
One of our network of rewilding safari parks, Hill Crest , sent us their year end update: "All is well here in Devon's wildlands with the Pine Martens released back into our landscape, fledging barn owls and two more sites coming on board this winter, things are coming along nicely." They reminded us of the great words of Dr Seuss, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."
Through our direct initiatives, the wider LettsSafari network of parks , our subscribers and our digital outreach, we have inspired hundreds of new rewilding parks and gardens in 2024. We know it because you tell us. Many in southwest England but also now a growing number across the country and even further afield.
Throughout the year, LettsSafari has provided valuable resources to educate the public on rewilding practices. Our "Creating Your Very Own Safari Garden" series offers practical advice for individuals to transform their gardens into wildlife havens, promoting urban biodiversity. Additionally, we've highlighted the importance of participating in initiatives like "No Mow May," encouraging people to let their lawns grow to support pollinators and other wildlife.
In celebration of Earth Day 2024, LettsSafari emphasised the significance of combating plastic pollution and embracing nature restoration. We provided guidance on how individuals can contribute to these efforts, reinforcing the idea that collective small actions can lead to substantial environmental benefits.
Sculptures installed at LettsSafari's Capability Brown gardens in Exeter underlined this - with a series of fascinating trees made by Robert Marshall MRSS from recycled plastic bottles.
Aligning with global environmental movements, LettsSafari participated in World Rewilding Day by showcasing some of the world's most significant rewilding projects. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about large-scale rewilding efforts and inspire individuals and communities to engage in similar activities locally.
LettsSafari was one of the first to develop the concept of urban rewilding. We're excited to see it starting to take off - and in 2024 we highlighted a great number of large institutional projects like the transformation of Derby's Allestree Park into Britain's largest urban rewilding space or the exciting transformation of the moat at the Tower of London. But also photos and description of the many small gardens owned by individuals who have pursued our techniques and created mini rewilded spaces in back gardens or front gardens that line London streets. By highlighting projects, large and small, our advocacy inspires evermore integration of natural habitats within urban settings. It's so important to promote biodiversity even in densely populated areas.
Looking ahead, LettsSafari plans to expand its reach by making its services more universally available. This expansion will involve an even broader audience in rewilding efforts, enabling more people to contribute and benefit from restored natural environments. You never know, we might even pop up in other countries helping them to discover the LettsSafari approach to mass market rewilding - one garden, one park, one plant, and one animal at a time.
Our activities in 2024 have significantly contributed to rewilding and biodiversity restoration - creating a strong platform for growth. Through expanding rewilding parks, providing educational content, and engaging in global environmental initiatives, we are making strides fostering a collaborative approach to environmental conservation, empowering individuals and communities to participate in creating a more biodiverse and sustainable future. We thank you for sharing our journey in 2024 and are excited about doing even more in 2025.
Help us build more rewilding safari parks together in 2025 - subscribe to LettsSafari today.
This year, LettsSafari has been at the forefront of a silent rewilding revolution, working to restore biodiversity, tackling climate change and inspiring communities globally. Here are 4 key highlights from an impactful year:
Looking ahead to 2025, we aim to expand our reach—spreading the LettsSafari approach to more communities, gardens, and even countries!
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LettsSafari is all about collective impact through low-cost subscriptions. For every 10 subscribers we plant a 5 year old, naturally grown tree annually, every hundred subscribers support the introduction of new wild animals each year and every 10,000 subscribers we add a whole new safari park a year.
Let’s continue rewilding together—one garden, one park, one animal at a time. Join us in creating a more biodiverse and sustainable future!
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Let's go WILD in 2025.
Create your very own LettsSafari. We'll show you how.
Happy holidays!
LettsSafari builds rewilding safari parks and gardens with its members. Subscribe and build your own at LettsSafari.com.
Who would have thought that a humble dormouse could rival history’s great landscape designers? The endangered hazel dormouse, with its precise habitat needs, provides a natural blueprint for rewilding efforts across the UK. These adorable creatures thrive in well-connected woodlands, hedgerows, and scrublands filled with native plants, offering food and shelter year-round.
Far more than a conservation effort, creating dormouse-friendly spaces at LettsSafari fosters biodiversity, from pollinators to birds and small mammals. Their reliance on continuous canopies and dense vegetation highlights the importance of habitat connectivity—not just for them but for entire ecosystems.
As a sensitive barometer of environmental health, the dormouse’s presence signals successful restoration, making them a symbol of nature’s recovery. Whether for large-scale rewilding or smaller projects, their story inspires us to embrace their ecological magic.
Discover how these tiny creatures are shaping landscapes and leading the charge for a wilder, greener future as part of LettsSafari's rewilding projects. To see the full article, and support LettsSafari subscribe TODAY!
This week is National Tree Week, the UK's largest annual tree celebration, and we're going to celebrate 4 trees that can make a big impact in your garden or small park. Planting native trees and shrubs is such a vital aspect of rewilding, especially in Britain, where local flora plays an integral role in sustaining the ecosystem.
So here's our fab 4. Each offer unique contributions that benefit birds, insects, and mammals, creating a thriving, interconnected habitat for wildlife:
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) or mountain ash . Known for its striking red berries that appear in late summer and early autumn. These berries are highly nutritious and attract a range of bird species, including fieldfares and waxwings, which rely on them for energy during migration. In addition to benefiting birds, the rowan’s blossoms support various pollinators, enhancing biodiversity. Its bright red berries are a welcome sight on a grey, misty Autumn morning.
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). Another crucial native shrub that supports British wildlife. In spring, it produces clusters of white flowers rich in nectar, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. These pollinators are fundamental for the health of broader plant communities, aiding in the pollination of various native and garden plants.
The English oak (Quercus robur). Perhaps the most significant native tree in Britain. It serves as a keystone species, hosting more than 2,300 species of wildlife. LettsSafari parks boast dozens of large, ancient oak trees. We planted hundreds of diverse young oak trees in Dawlish Park alone - now they are fast growing, hormonal teenagers!
Hazel (Corylus avellana). A versatile native shrub that offers both food and habitat. Its catkins, appearing in early spring, are one of the first pollen sources for bees, giving them essential nourishment after winter. By late summer, hazelnuts provide a rich food supply for mammals such as dormice and red squirrels, which rely on these nuts for fat reserves. The dense, multi-stemmed growth of hazel also creates excellent nesting sites for birds.
The importance of planting native species lies in their evolved relationships with local wildlife. These plants are adapted to the local climate and soil, making them more resilient and beneficial compared to non-native species.
LettsSafari regularly reviews the various tree options available for smaller-scale rewilding to help you make the best choices. By incorporating native trees, shrubs and wild grasses into our gardens and parks, we help build a self-sustaining ecosystem where each species contributes to the overall health and balance. This practice is essential not only for enhancing biodiversity but also for maintaining ecosystem services such as pollination, seed dispersal, and habitat creation.
Support our rewilding parks, get exclusive content of our projects and even receive expert tips to transform your garden into a wildlife haven.
🌱 For every 10 new subscribers we plant a tree a year.
🦔 For every 100, we release an endangered animal.
🌳 And for every 10,000 we create a new rewilding safari park a year!
Make A Difference: Together We Can Rewild To Tackle Climate Change.
In a world driven by innovation and technology, it might be surprising to learn that one of the most effective and affordable solutions to climate change isn’t found in the latest tech but in nature itself. According to new data from BloombergNEF, restoring natural habitats costs just 1/8 the price of building a new zero-energy system. It’s an astonishing revelation that shines a light on an overlooked, but powerful, climate solution: nature restoration.
Beyond carbon capture, nature provides vital ecosystem services that fuel the economy. From clean water and fertile soils to resilient habitats and pollination, these services are the foundation of more than half of the global economy. Plus think of the hundreds of thousands of unloved back gardens, balconies, workplaces or public spaces. Imagine the potential of harnessing this force, not just as an environmental solution, but as a driver of sustainable growth.
Investing in nature has ripple effects across communities and industries. Healthy ecosystems provide community resilience through flood protection, soil stabilisation and clean air plus social benefits by fostering well-being, connection to place and environmental stewardship.
At LettsSafari, we’re not just talking about nature restoration—we’re doing it. We're masters of smaller-scale rewilding, restoring habitats that actively sequester carbon while generating biodiversity and providing digital services that benefit local and global communities. Supported by individual subscriptions, we plant trees, release endangered wildlife and build new rewilding parks.
Our approach is straightforward and impactful:
LettsSafari’s model aligns with a global call to action: investing in nature as a means to combat climate change. The potential for economic and social resilience is undeniable, as restored landscapes contribute to local and global well-being. Imagine a future where nature itself sustains our planet and fortifies communities in ways we’re only beginning to understand.
With LettsSafari, that future is not just imaginable—it’s within reach. We’re proving that nature restoration can be both a climate solution and a source of prosperity. If we prioritise investing in our ecosystems, we’re not only helping the planet but also unlocking an affordable, sustainable pathway to resilience and growth.
Tackle climate change. Build rewilding safari parks with us. Subscribe today! Just £4.50 a month.
The reintroduction of water voles in Britain has become a critical part of the country's rewilding efforts, aiming to restore ecosystems that have been significantly damaged over time. Water voles, often referred to as "Ratty" from Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows, were once widespread across Britain.
A project to reintroduce water voles a few years ago, at LettsSafari parks , even including Exeter's Capability Brown gardens, has been quite a success. As a result we have worked on continuing to extend our wetland areas to widen their habitat. Now our central bog and wetland areas cover over 5 acres.
Water voles are an important keystone species in wetland ecosystems. They create complex burrow systems and eat large amounts of aquatic plants, which helps to manage wetland vegetation. This behaviour contributes to healthier waterways by maintaining plant diversity and reducing overgrowth, which in turn supports a broader range of wildlife.
A lesser-known fact about water voles is their fascinating ability to engineer their habitat by creating "rafts" out of floating vegetation. These rafts are used by water voles not only for feeding but also as vantage points to avoid predators. Water voles are highly skilled swimmers and will construct these floating platforms by intertwining plant material such as reeds and grasses. This behaviour demonstrates their adaptability and resourcefulness in navigating their watery environments.
Additionally, water voles have a unique way of communicating through scent. They possess specialised glands located on their flanks, which they rub against objects like grass or stones to mark their territory. These scent markings help maintain their social structure and signal presence to other water voles in the area.
One of the standout successes in reintroducing water voles occurred at LettsSafari's rewilding centre in Devon, led by conservationist Derek Gow. Gow, a leading figure in water vole conservation, has been instrumental in captive breeding and reintroduction programs across the UK.
At Mamhead Park South, Gow’s team released hundreds of water voles into carefully managed habitats. These efforts have been part of broader restoration activities aimed at improving the biodiversity of the area and encouraging a healthier ecosystem. The reintroduction of water voles at LettsSafari parks exemplifies the power of rewilding in the UK. These initiatives are not just about restoring a single species but rebuilding entire ecosystems.
The success of water vole reintroductions offers hope for the future of Britain’s wetlands and highlights the importance of continuing to protect and restore natural landscapes for the benefit of both wildlife and people. Plus, what could be more enjoyable than the sight of a water vole tip toeing on shimmering wetlands in the golden sunset.
LettsSafari is on a mission to build rewilding safari parks across the UK. To become a LettsSafari Member go to LettsSafari.com .
When you become a paid subscriber to LettsSafari you join a membership group contributing to the development of rewilding spaces. Your subscription aids our work planting trees, protecting and supporting wildlife and adding new rewilding safari parks. Become a paid subscriber of LettsSafari today and you will also receive a private invitation for yourself and 1 guest to a VIP Tree Day at Exeter’s Capability Brown gardens on Saturday 12 October meeting at 10.30am after which you get to take your very own Capability sapling home.
The 20 acre tree heritage gardens have been painstakingly reimagined with a spotlight on conservation and climate action - with celebrated, rare historic trees and a groundbreaking new approach to natural tree rebirth and regeneration. It is a place you visit online via LettsSafari+. Now you can experience it in real life, learn about these amazing trees, enjoy a talk by our founder, Philip Letts, and take home your very own Capability Brown sapling.
This special event is hosted by Philip and the LettsSafari team celebrating the amazing rewilded gardens and the extraordinary rare and ancient trees in Exeter’s Capability Brown gardens surrounded by some of our most exciting rewilding safari parks. Wander through the wilded gardens and experience the collection of rare, young and ancient trees, learning our methods and approaches to tree growth and planting. Enjoy coffee and a presentation on the terraces of the Robert Adam Orangery overlooking the sea before picking your very own Capability Brown sapling to re-plant at home.
And remember, for every 10 subscriptions we plant a new tree, for every 100 we release an endangered animal into the wild and for every 10,000 we open a new rewilding park.
Sign up with a paid subscription today to receive your complimentary invitation and help us make a difference. Together we can rewild to tackle climate change.
Summer is the perfect time to reconnect with nature and make a positive impact on the environment in your own back garden. Rewilding, the practice of restoring natural habitats and supporting native species, is an excellent way to contribute to the health of local ecosystems. At LettsSafari, we’re passionate about helping you make the most of your time outdoors while giving back to nature. Here are our top 5 home rewilding tips for summer:
One of the simplest ways to support local wildlife is by transforming your garden into a haven for native species. Start by planting native flowers, shrubs, and trees that provide food and shelter for birds, insects, and small mammals. Avoid using pesticides and herbicides, as they can harm beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. Adding a small pond or water feature can also attract amphibians and provide a vital water source during hot summer days.
Insects play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, and building a bug hotel is a fun and educational way to support them. Use natural materials like wood, bamboo, and leaves to create a structure with various nooks and crannies for insects to shelter in. Place your bug hotel in a quiet corner of your garden or local green space, and watch as bees, beetles, and other beneficial bugs take up residence.
Traditional lawns require a lot of maintenance and provide little benefit to wildlife. Consider rewilding a portion of your lawn by letting the grass grow longer and allowing wildflowers to flourish. This will create a mini-meadow that supports pollinators like bees and butterflies. You can also add a mix of native wildflower seeds to boost biodiversity and create a vibrant, colourful space that attracts a variety of insects and birds.
Wildlife corridors are essential for connecting fragmented habitats and allowing animals to move freely between them. You can help create these corridors by ensuring your garden or outdoor space is accessible to wildlife. Plant hedges instead of installing fences, or cut small holes in your fence to allow hedgehogs and other small mammals to pass through. If you live in a more urban area, consider working with your neighbours to create a network of green spaces that benefit the entire community.
Joining local rewilding efforts is a great way to make a bigger impact and connect with like-minded individuals. Or even better, sign up for LettsSafari! Subscribe to our digital platform to get rewilding know-how, and for every 10 subscribers we plant a tree a year, for every 100 we release an endangered animal a year and for every 10,000 we open a new rewilding safari park! Plus, you’ll gain valuable knowledge and experience that you can apply to your own rewilding activities.
Rewilding is a rewarding way to connect with nature and contribute to the health of local ecosystems. Whether you’re transforming your garden into a wildlife sanctuary or participating in community projects, every small action can make a big difference. This summer, take the opportunity to embrace rewilding and support the incredible diversity of life that surrounds us. At LettsSafari, we’re here to inspire and guide you on your journey to rewilding success. Subscribe today!