Rewilding and its Interrelationship with Culture

With the many ecological challenges, in particular the need to rewild the environment, it is essential to ensure behavioural change. Many solutions have been developed but all require ultimately a positive shift by individuals, communities or those implementing policy and developing legislation. It can be argued that key to this process are cultural intermediaries since they legitimise certain cultures and create social norms. They fund cultural activities, and therefore can transform our understanding and appreciation of both our society and the natural world. Through the work of selected artist’s who illuminate the complexity of life and environmental awareness; the intermediaries can work to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and societal engagement with the environment. They are involved in knowledge exchange and consequently can be involved in attitudinal change, which may lead to an awareness and acceptance of the concept of rewilding. Traditionally it was thought that there was a simple link between knowledge, attitudes and behaviour, but too much trust in this simple relationship leads to numerous interventions being ineffectual. Many of the behaviours that are required are governed by a set of heuristic decision-making tools that should be utilised in order to maximise the desired effect.
Cultural intermediaries through their work as gatekeepers and tastemakers can influence and change how people relate and appreciate the natural environment. Intermediaries may significantly control the social discourse of people viewing and participating in cultural activities, thereby impacting on attitudes, decisions and behaviours. Evaluation of this process is important as it allows proactive decision making towards rewilding to take place. Culture can therefore impact on how rewilding is perceived by individuals, communities and policy makers. Intermediaries have considerable power within culture and therefore can influence attitudinal change, thereby mobilising people to realise and seek a natural and sustainable environment.