Rewilding

What is Rewilding?

Rewilding is ecological restoration. Its goal is to restore functioning, sustainable ecosystems and to rebuild biodiversity and abundance.

Rewilding is needed where ecosystem balance has been lost. This is why it’s a vital part of restoring the impaired Little Conestoga Creek.

We can’t go back to perfectly pristine nature, but we can bring back healthy relationships and natural processes.

Connection Is Our Future

Rewilding welcomes connection between natural areas. Species can move within their range to access what they need to survive and thrive. Connection is in our project name, and our vision is to create a wildlife corridor for life to thrive along the Little Conestoga.

Of course, rewilding can happen anywhere – in urban environments, farms, backyards, and places of work or worship. Humans are part of the web of life and we share our home. Healthy ecosystems are essential to our survival. We’re all a little wild after all!

Pollinator plants thriving

Butterflies love the pollinator plants

Renovated fields of pollinators

Restored wetlands

Baby turtles loving the restored wetlands

Restored View of Spring at Trillium Place

Why Rewild?

There is a long list of benefits and the Little Conestoga Creek is an excellent place to focus!

Community well being. Peaceful green spaces are key to our physical and mental health, and recreational opportunities abound in wild spaces.
Clean water. The deep roots of native plants and trees filter pollution from stormwater runoff and stop erosion.
Clean air. Plants and trees remove remove carbon dioxide, release fresh oxygen, and cool the air.
Healthy, diverse habitats. Wetland pools, meadows, and forests welcome native wildlife and pollinators.
Reverse biodiversity loss. Many species that once thrived here are missing. By giving them a chance to recover, we can increase species numbers and diversity.
Wildlife corridors connect small fragments into longer, connected spaces for wildlife to thrive.
Resilience. Rewilded ecosystems are better at adapting to changes and recovering from damage.
Sustainability. The more diverse and complex an ecosystem is, the more sustainable it becomes.

The Value of Restored Wetlands

Rewilding along the Little Conestoga is bringing back an ecosystem that was lost – wetlands. Historically, wetlands were once quite common here. In fact, it’s estimated that Pennsylvania has lost >50% of its wetlands.

If forests are the planet’s lungs, then wetlands are its kidneys — filtering waste and keeping water clean.
Wetlands remove 90% of sediment and nutrients from runoff and 60% of heavy metals in water.
Often called nature’s sponge, wetlands can store up to 1.5 million gallons of floodwater per acre — reducing flood risk.
Wetlands are also powerful carbon sinks, helping ease climate impacts by storing carbon.

The Importance of PA Wetlands

Wetlands do much more than hold water — they filter pollutants, reduce flooding, provide wildlife habitat, and keep our waterways healthy. Learn from the PA Clean Water Academy why these rich and resilient ecosystems matter for both nature and our community.