Rewilding Hogan Lovells

Working together with Mareike van Oosting of the law firm Hogan Lovells, our team developed the “Rewilding Hogan Lovells” campaign. As part of its sustainability programme to promote biodiversity and environmental protection, Hogan Lovells is supporting an initiative aimed at making Europe a wilder place once again.

Rewilding is a systematic approach to restoring large areas of land to a natural, untamed state—and it tells a hopeful, forward-looking story. In this case, human involvement does not lead to the destruction of ecosystems, but rather to the creation of new wilderness: landscapes where biodiversity can recover, where extensive, intact habitats act as carbon sinks to help combat climate change, and where local traditions can thrive in harmony with nature.

Rewilding is inspiring and demonstrates what is truly possible.

The aim of the campaign was to bring a sense of wild nature into the organisation itself. To achieve this, we produced a three-part corporate podcast series, narrated by corporate influencer Mareike van Oosting. In addition, a photography series and an audio installation were created across 15 locations throughout Europe.

The campaign was launched in the days leading up to Hogan Lovells’ virtual event for Earth Day 2021. During the event, partner organisations including Snowchange Cooperative, Rewilding Europe, The Wildlife Trusts and Rewilding Britain presented their rewilding initiatives and explored the question: “How can we scale this nature-based solution?”

The concept of rewilding has a proven track record and is rapidly gaining ground across Europe. Rewilding Europe is the organisation championing this vision, bringing it to life across the continent.

Findings from its accompanying scientific programmes show that rewilding is not only highly effective, but also the most cost-efficient way to enhance biodiversity and combat climate change.

Addressing global challenges through nature-based solutions—this is the future of conservation.

In the village of Selkie in eastern Finland, industrial peat extraction had severely damaged the landscape, polluted lakes and rivers, and threatened aquatic life. Thanks to the efforts of the Snowchange Cooperative, supported financially by Hogan Lovells, nature has made a remarkable recovery in just a few years.

Biodiversity has been restored. For instance, migratory birds—after years of decline—are increasingly returning to nest. The soil, too, is undergoing a positive transformation: rather than releasing carbon dioxide, it is now capable of efficiently absorbing and storing carbon.

A real benefit for local communities, who are able to continue their traditional way of life in harmony with nature—and a model for the rest of Europe.

One of the most compelling aspects of the rewilding approach in Selkie is the fusion of modern innovation with long-standing tradition: cutting-edge science and high-tech monitoring tools are combined with traditional knowledge, as well as time-honoured ways of observing and engaging with nature.

By bringing together the best of the past with the best of the future, nature is given the optimal support it needs to regenerate into a stable, self-sustaining ecosystem.