Re-imagining Our Relationship With Nature
Anna Hattam
Recently, we had the privilege of attending the Knepp Supporters Day – an inspiring experience that offered a glimpse into the future of nature recovery. Chronos Sustainability is a proud sponsor of Knepp’s Young Guides programme which provides meaningful, paid opportunities for 18- to 25-year-olds with a passion for nature and conservation.
Our day began with a walking safari through the rewilded landscape, where we were greeted by the estate’s white storks, long-horn cattle and the unmistakable song of the nightingales. Guided by Knepp’s passionate and knowledgeable Young Guide, Izzy, we explored the estate’s thriving habitats and dynamic ecosystems.
Following our safari, we heard from various members of the Knepp team, whose presentations offered valuable and uplifting insights into the transformative power of rewilding. Their stories led us to reflect on three key themes:
1. Connecting communities to connect nature
Habitat fragmentation – driven by infrastructure development and intensive agriculture – has become a defining feature of the British landscape and many others worldwide. In response, initiatives like the Weald to Waves project demonstrate the potential of collaborative conservation. This ambitious effort aims to establish a 100-mile-long wildlife corridor, linking habitats across Sussex and beyond. It’s a powerful example of how landowners, councils, businesses, charities and local communities can come together to drive nature recovery on a meaningful scale.
But collaboration shouldn’t stop at formal partnerships or national borders. Knepp’s touching story of Mustafa – a man in Morocco who reached out after spotting one of Knepp’s tagged white storks at a local landfill site - reminds us that genuine human connection can play a pivotal role in conservation.
2. Rewiring for rewilding
Our species has long been conditioned to control nature – to manicure, manage and manipulate landscapes in pursuit of aesthetic ideals. This mindset often leads us to undervalue so-called “messy” environments such as scrubland, despite their immense ecological importance.
Rewilding asks us to rethink this paradigm. It requires a cognitive shift: to relinquish control and embrace the untidy beauty of nature reclaiming its space. At Knepp, the results are clear – biodiversity flourishes where human intervention retreats. We must learn to celebrate the ecosystem services that emerge, not despite the “chaos” but because of it.
3. Raising the next generation of rewilders
Younger generations are becoming increasingly disconnected from the natural world – a phenomenon that author Richard Louv famously called Nature Deficit Disorder.[1] This disconnection is linked to a range of physical and mental health issues, including obesity, anxiety, depression and reduced attention spans.
However, the good news is just as compelling: the more time young people spend in nature, the more likely they are to adopt pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours.[2],[3] That’s why Knepp’s Wild Futures programme is so vital. Through school visits, work placements, residentials and online training, Knepp is nurturing a new generation of “wilding leaders” who will carry forward the mission of ecological restoration.
Hope for the future
Days like this serve as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we reimagine our relationship with the natural world. The Knepp team’s bold vision and unshakable commitment left us feeling not only inspired, but hopeful – for a future of rewilded and abundant landscapes and for the communities that not only depend on them but treasure them.
Chronos Sustainability’s sponsorship of the Young Guides programme at Knepp reflects our broader commitment to empowering the next generation to pursue meaningful and impactful careers in sustainability. For details of some of our other activities, see Chronos LSE Sustainability Prize; Chronos Careers Guide in Sustainable Finance.
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[1] What is Nature-Deficit Disorder? - Richard Louv
[2] Time Spent in Nature Is Associated with Increased Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors - PubMed,
[3] Nature experiences and pro-environmental behavior: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial - ScienceDirect
