Book Wilding Online - Renaturing

Come and join us online for the next in our Climate Action North series of Book Wilding events.

We are delighted to welcome James Canton, author of Renaturing, who will who will be talking about and reading from the book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James Canton is Director of Wild Writing at the University of Essex. He has taught the MA Wild Writing: Literature, Landscape and the Environment since its inception in 2009. His books include Out of Essex: Re-Imagining a Literary Landscape (2013) which was inspired by rural wanderings in the county and Ancient Wonderings: Journeys into Prehistoric Britain (2017) that tells some remarkable tales of life in ancient Britain. The Oak Papers (2020) – Radio 4’s Book of the Week – explores some of the ties between humans and oaks since prehistory, meditating on our need to connect with the natural world. Grounded (2023) tells of rediscovering the most sacred spaces in our landscapes – both natural sites and human places – seeing the lessons we can learn from our ancestors and their relationship with the land. His new book, Renaturing: Small Ways to Wild the World (March 2025) investigates ways of democratizing rewilding, how we can all be involved in nature restoration.

Twitter: @jamescanton

Instagram: @jrcanton1

Website: jamescanton.co.uk

ABOUT THE BOOK

Twenty years ago, James Canton moved from London to the English countryside. Behind his farm labourer’s cottage was a small, abandoned field with a ‘for sale’ sign. James knew that the two-acre patch of earth held more potential – as a place for nature to return and flourish.

Here is the story of how, over a number of years, he undertook a project to ‘rewild’ the field: digging a pond, forging meadowlands, creating habitats for birds and insects, encouraging flowers and plants that support pollinators and wildlife. Eventually what was once just a grassy space was again buzzing with life.

The process raised some interesting questions. Rewilding is about bringing a large landscape back to a natural, self-sustaining state. But that wasn’t possible on the scale of a field, a garden or a window box. What if we rethought the term? What if we aimed for ‘renaturing’ instead? Even on the smallest of scales we can create habitats to support a greater diversity of nature. A single window box planted with pollinator-friendly flowers can provide a mini-habitat to support honeybees; a tower block with a window box on every balcony becomes an acre of bee-friendly ecosystem.

Renaturing shows how the concept of rewilding can be adopted by us all. We can all make positive change, however large or small. We can all be involved in caring for and restoring the natural world.

What folks say about Renaturing:-

‘A balm for any nature-lover feeling bruised by the state of the world, Renaturing provides a meditative, practical and beautifully-observed account of restoring a small yet significant patch of land.

Canton takes us with him on a journey of learning that offers plenty to any reader, whether steeped in the lore of rewilding and ecology or a newcomer curious to know more about the positive roles that humans can play in nature’

CHANTAL LYONS, author of Groundbreakers

‘A charming account of one man's decision to get his hands dirty and try to play his own small part in trying to make the world a better place. Thoughtful and insightful’

NEIL ANSELL, author of The Last Wilderness

DRAKE THE BOOKSHOP is an independent book seller based in Stockton and are described by many as "The most magical little bookshop . . . a little piece of heaven in what can be a crazy world.” As our sponsor we are delighted to welcome Drake The Bookshop to this event and there is an opportunity to purchase a copy of the book via the link below:-

https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/book-wilding-a-series-of-seasonal-talks-with-climate-action-north

Although all Book Wilding events are usually free we still incur costs to bring these events to you so any donations to support ongoing sessions are welcomed on a pay as you can basis.

We look forward to seeing you there Book Wilders!

Climate Action North

Note: Zoom link will be sent out to attendees the day before the event takes place.