Wildlife Returns: How Urban Areas Like Detroit Are Embracing Rewilding Efforts

Gabriel Richard Park on Detroit's East Riverfront.Photo byDetroit Riverfront Conservancy.

A hopeful growing trend is taking place in urban areas across the country and, indeed, worldwide to 'rewild' urban areas. One such example is in Detriot, where wildlife biologists study nocturnal animals inhabiting city parks. As wildlife species face rapidly increasing threats and extinction due to habitat loss and climate change, rewilding seeks to restore natural systems in areas where they have been displaced by urban development.

In the large metro area of Detriot, Yale University wildlife biologists are studying elusive wildlife species that some residents only rarely spot: foxes, raccoons, skunks, and even coyotes. For the past five years, they have been utilizing trail cameras in the woodsy areas of 25 city parks and have recorded thousands of images of these animals roaming and foraging. Detroit is actually making a spectacular example of how urban rewilding can take place. However, it's come about more organically than strategically planned.

Yale University doctoral students have been attaching cameras to trees in parks across Detroit.Photo byAP: Carlos Osorio

As many people know, Detroit fell into a state of distress following the loss of jobs from auto manufacturers, which had left hundreds of thousands of homes and structures abandoned. But what happened was curious and unexpected, as structures were razed due to their conditions, leaving vacant tracts, plants, and animals moved in. Community efforts such as planting gardens and maintaining green spaces have played a significant role in this 'natural' rewilding.' Now, a wildlife refuge exists just a half-hour drive from downtown Detroit that has been converted from 30 parcels of abandoned property, totaling 6,200 acres. The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge consists of wetlands. It is home to over 300 bird species and migratory animals such as ducks and raptors.

Part of the concrete canal at Tampines turned into a naturalized river with rain gardens & lookout decks.Photo byhttps://mothership.sg/

Other cities worldwide are part of this global rewilding movement. For example, Singapore has transformed a concrete river into a natural waterway, while German cities are repurposing vacant lots for wildlife. Recently, London's mayor initiated bold urban projects to enhance habitats for various species. Chicago's Shedd Aquarium is installing floating wetlands to improve the river ecosystem.

Rewilding Rivers: A Tale of Floating Wetlands in Chicago.Photo byhttps://www.sheddaquarium.org/

Despite challenges in changing urban mindsets—where well-manicured lawns often dominate, people might consider wild species as 'pests' or threats to their own gardens. However, studies show that time in natural spaces improves people's physical and mental health. Nathalie Pettorelli, senior scientist with the Zoological Society of London, stated, "A lot of city people have lost their tolerance to live with wildlife… There's a lot of reteaching ourselves to be done. To really make a difference in tackling the biodiversity crisis."