Rewilding Futures: Shaping Tomorrow's Wild

Bermuda is an archipelago of over 100 islets that faces significant threats to its biodiversity due to human activity and environmental changes. Among these islands, Nonsuch Island stands out as a cornerstone for conservation efforts, hosting rare and threatened species and habitats. It also represents one of the earliest examples of ecological restoration, with more than 60 years of ongoing efforts. This pioneering project aims to restore a portion of Bermuda’s ecosystem to its pre-colonial state, focusing on the removal of invasive species, the replanting of native and endemic flora, and the reintroduction of native and endemic fauna. Notable successes include the recovery of the Greater Bermuda snail (Poecilozonites bermudensis) and the expanding population of the Bermuda petrel (Pterodroma cahow), or Cahow, a species once thought extinct. These milestones offer an opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned from decades of ecological restoration on Nonsuch Island. This presentation will explore the successes and challenges encountered, the technologies and methods employed, and the implications for future conservation strategies in Bermuda and beyond.