1. Introduction
Welcome to the world of rewilding, a concept that is transforming urban spaces across the globe. This blog post focuses on the book “Rewilding An Urban Garden: An Illustrated Diary of Nature’s Year” by Gerry Maguire Thompson, a must-read for anyone interested in rewilding their own urban garden.
Gerry Maguire Thompson is an author and passionate advocate for rewilding. His book serves as an illustrated diary of his experiences over a year of rewilding his own garden, offering readers a unique blend of insightful observations, practical advice, and quirky humour.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the philosophy of the book, explore the key takeaways, and show how it can inspire you to start your own rewilding journey – or just enjoy a great read. So, let’s dive in and discover the magic of rewilding through the eyes of Gerry Maguire Thompson.
2. Synopsis of “Rewilding An Urban Garden: An Illustrated Diary of Nature’s Year”
Book Structure and Main Themes
“Rewilding An Urban Garden: An Illustrated Diary of Nature’s Year” is a captivating first-person account of Gerry Maguire Thompson’s day-to-day wildlife encounters over a year in his urban garden. The book draws readers into a rich world that is by turns fascinating, enchanting, entertaining, dramatic, and astonishing. The book is structured as a diary, with each entry offering a snapshot of the author’s interactions with the wildlife in his garden that day. The main themes revolve around the changing seasons, the intimate and magical wildlife encounters, and the extraordinary biodiversity of urban habitats.
Unique Features of the Book
One of the unique features of the book is its blend of well-written prose, beautiful illustrations, and quirky humour. Thompson’s writing style is readable, engaging and accessible, making complex ecological concepts easy to understand. The book is visually enriched with twelve beautiful woodcut-style full-page illustrations, each depicting wildlife as it appears in that month. The book also includes smaller thumbnail illustrations among the daily diary entries, adding a visual dimension to experience of the story. Thompson’s individual humour adds a touch of lightness to the narrative, making the book a delightful read.
In essence, “Rewilding An Urban Garden: An Illustrated Diary of Nature’s Year” is more than just a book; it’s an invitation to explore the wonders of nature in our own backyards.
You can buy the book here and start your own journey of discovery. For further insights and resources, you can visit the Urban Wild Garden website.
3. The Importance of Rewilding Urban Gardens
Why Rewild Urban Gardens? “Rewilding An Urban Garden: An Illustrated Diary of Nature’s Year” underscores the importance of rewilding urban gardens. As most of us now live in towns and cities, our gardens become vital habitats for a variety of wildlife. By rewilding our gardens, we can create rich ecosystems right on our doorsteps. This not only benefits the wildlife but also contributes to the larger goal of biodiversity conservation.
Benefits of Rewilding
The book highlights the numerous benefits of rewilding. One of the key benefits is the positive impact on our mental and emotional wellbeing. Having direct daily access to a variety of wildlife in a natural setting has been scientifically proven to bring enormous measurable mental and emotional benefits. It fosters a sense of connectedness to the natural world, provides inspiration, upliftment, and joy, and offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life. For more insights on the benefits of rewilding, you can explore our blog post on why urban wild gardening is good for your mental and emotional health.
Supporting Research
These benefits are not just anecdotal; they are supported by a growing body of research. Many studies have shown that exposure to nature can reduce stress, improve mood, boost concentration, and promote a sense of wellbeing. The book, through its intimate and magical wildlife encounters, offers readers a chance to experience these benefits firsthand.
Practical Guides and Resources
The book is supplemented by a wealth of resources available on the Urban Wild Garden website. Here, readers can find practical guides on how to build an urban wild garden, creating a sustainable wild garden, and innovative wild garden ideas. The website also features a series of blogs that delve deeper into the topics covered in the book, such as the cosmic magic of May 1 and Oct 31, why we love hearing birds sing, and the incredible power and influence of urban wildlife gardening.
4. The Magic of Wildlife Encounters in the Book
Intimate Wildlife Encounters
“Rewilding An Urban Garden: An Illustrated Diary of Nature’s Year” is filled with intimate and magical wildlife encounters that draw readers into a rich, enchanting world. The author’s day-to-day experiences with wildlife in his urban garden over the period of a year are vividly described, from the morning chatter of sparrows to the wood-mouse that lives in the compost heap, while one of the more dramatic incidents recounted is the sight of a sparrow-hawk exploding into an unsuspecting cluster of small birds. These encounters are not just entertaining and engaging; they also offer readers a chance to share in the author’s joy and inspiration.
An additional element is the portrayal of the magical changes in nature with the changing seasons of the year: the challenging times of winter for the creatures in the garden, the dramatic bursting forth of abundant new life in the spring, the flowers and warmth of the summer, and the fruitfulness of the autumn.Even more profound is when the author tells of the deep love for all the creatures in the garden which grows steadily as the intricacies of their lives open up to him more and more.
Night-time Visitors
One of the most poignant moments in the book is the discovery of a rare hedgehog visiting the garden every night. This encounter underscores the importance of rewilding urban gardens as habitats for various species, including those that are becoming increasingly rare in urban areas. For another example of the author’s memorable experiences with wildlife, you can read his blog post on accidentally rescuing a sparrow-hawk victim.
Miraculous Workings of Nature
The book also delves into the extraordinarily miraculous workings of nature, answering questions such as: why – every three to seven years – every tree over a wide area can agree to have a spectacularly abundant fruiting season; or why birdsong, often expressing hostility among birds, sounds so beautiful to us humans. These insights deepen our understanding of nature and its incredibly deep intricacy. For more on the author’s reflections on nature, you can explore his blog post on connecting with nature in a wild urban garden.
5. The Interactive Online Resources Accompanying the Book
The Dedicated Website
The book “Rewilding An Urban Garden: An Illustrated Diary of Nature’s Year” is more than just a narrative experience; it also represents a gateway to a wealth of interactive online resources. The author has created a dedicated website at urbanwildgarden.com that copiously supplements the content of the book. This is an elaborate extension of the book, carrying images and video footage of life in the author’s actual garden. It also provides practical how-to information for readers who would like to learn how to develop their own teeming urban wildlife haven. For example, the blog post on creating a sustainable wild garden offers a comprehensive guide to rewilding your garden, and there is also a feature on how to build an instant wild pond.
The Author’s Social Media Channels
In addition to the website, the author also shares insights and experiences on his social media channels. These platforms offer another way for readers to engage with the author and the rewilding community, to ask questions, and to share their own experiences of rewilding their gardens.
Author’s Facebook
Author’s Twitter
Enhancing the Reader’s Experience
These interactive online resources greatly enhance the reader’s experience of the book. They offer a way to see the author’s garden in real-time, learn from his experiences, and apply the principles of rewilding to their own gardens. They also provide a platform for readers to engage with the author and other like-minded individuals, fostering an experience of community among urban garden rewilders and other kindred spirits..
6. How to Use the Book and the Website Together
Deepening Understanding of Rewilding Principles
The book “Rewilding An Urban Garden: An Illustrated Diary of Nature’s Year” provides a narrative experience, immersing readers in the author’s day-to-day wildlife encounters and insights into the workings of nature. The website complements this with a more interactive experience, with images, videos, and practical advice to supplement the book’s content. By engaging with both, readers can deepen their understanding of rewilding principles and gain a more comprehensive view of what rewilding an urban garden entails.
Developing Your Own Urban Wildlife Haven
The book and website also serve as a guide for readers who want to develop their own urban wildlife haven. The author’s experiences, as detailed in the book, provide inspiration and insight. The website’s practical advice, such as the guide on how to build an urban wild garden, offers step-by-step instructions for implementing rewilding principles in your own garden. By following the author’s journey and applying the advice on the website, readers can transform their own urban gardens into thriving ecosystems.
Engaging with the Community
Finally, the book and website provide a platform for readers to engage with a community of like-minded individuals, while through the author’s social media channels, readers can share their own experiences, ask questions, and learn from others in the rewilding community. This sense of community can provide support and motivation as readers embark on their own rewilding journeys.
7. Conclusion
In this blog, we’ve delved into the captivating world of “Rewilding An Urban Garden: An Illustrated Diary of Nature’s Year” by Gerry Maguire Thompson. This book, with its intimate wildlife encounters and insightful observations, offers readers a unique perspective on rewilding an urban garden. Coupled with the rich resources available on the corresponding urbanwildgarden.com website, it provides comprehensive guidance for anyone interested in transforming their urban space into a thriving ecosystem – or just interested in reading about the experience..
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, the book and website offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. From understanding the intricate workings of nature to learning practical steps for creating your own urban wildlife haven, there’s something for everyone. So why wait? Embark on your own rewilding journey today and experience the joy and benefits of connecting with nature right at your doorstep.
8. Further Reading
For those who wish to delve deeper into the fascinating world of rewilding, biodiversity, and sustainable gardening practices, there are numerous resources available. Here are a few suggestions:
- The Rewilding Institute: This website offers a wealth of information on rewilding principles and practices, including articles, podcasts, and a regular newsletter.
- Rewilding Europe: This organisation is dedicated to making Europe a wilder place, with much more space for wildlife, wilderness and natural processes.
- The Wildlife Trusts: This UK-based charity works to protect wildlife and wild places and bring people closer to nature.
- The Urban Birder: This website by David Lindo, The Urban Birder, offers a unique perspective on birdwatching in urban environments.
- The Nature of Cities: An international platform for transdisciplinary dialogue and urban solutions around the theme of nature in cities.
- Books: There are numerous books available on these topics. Some notable ones include “Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm” by Isabella Tree, “Feral: Rewilding the Land, Sea and Human Life” by George Monbiot, and “The Garden Jungle: Or Gardening to Save the Planet” by Dave Goulson.
Remember, the journey to rewilding your garden is a continuous learning process. These resources will provide you with further knowledge and inspiration to help you on your way. Happy rewilding!
You can buy the book here
