Rewilding, an ambitious agenda of animal introductions for the restoration of ecological processes, shows great promise for conservation in North America and Europe. Whether it can be similarly applied in Australia remains to be seen.

Ambitious, nature-based, animal-centric, and holistic in its approach, rewilding can help with some of Australia’s deep ecological problems. The sheer scale of extinctions and failing ecological processes cries out for ambitious solutions. Entire landscapes have been denuded of ecological engineers and apex predators. Conservationists are struggling to protect threatened species in open landscapes. The concept of rewilding offers a proactive approach, boosting conservation optimism among practitioners and the general public.

But rewilding, as it has developed thus far, is on a collision course with traditional Indigenous practices in Australia and elsewhere. If rewilding implies a ‘hands-off’ approach to land care, or the reinstatement of wilderness, then it cannot be reconciled with traditional practices of creating and maintaining cultural landscapes.

In the interests of inclusive conservation, social justice and environmental equity, conservation practitioners should meaningfully engage with Traditional Owners. Inviting dialogue with Traditional Owners, I propose a synthesis of rewilding and Indigenous land care principles to inspire ambitious, holistic restoration projects with Indigenous communities.