WILDING: The Return of Nature to a British Farm
Wednesday, December 9, 7 PM
Peacock Hall
This award-winning British documentary chronicles the pioneering project by Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell on their 3,500-acre Knepp Estate in West Sussex, England. Based on Isabella Tree’s bestselling book of the same name, the film follows the couple as they turn their failing, heavily chemical-treated farm into a thriving wildlife haven. Inspired by Dutch ecologist Dr. Frans Vera’s research, they tear down fences and introduce free-roaming animals—such as Tamworth pigs, Exmoor ponies, deer, and longhorn cattle—to let nature self-manage the land. Despite initial skepticism from neighbors and bureaucratic hurdles, the depleted landscape transforms into a biodiverse ecosystem attracting rare species to the area like storks and beavers.
The film is praised its gorgeous cinematography and soul-enhancing, hopeful message about ecological recovery.
72 minutes, with captions.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/R1PrUgFEHaw?si=YMs48LjVbORDDK9c