A campaign for Scotland to become the world’s first Rewilding Nation, backed by Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, has achieved its £200k target in just six days.

The Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a coalition of more than 20 organisations, is calling on the Scottish Government to commit to nature recovery across 30% of the country to benefit nature, climate and people.

Alliance member Rewilding Britain set out to raise £200,000 for the campaign in alignment with this year’s Big Give Green Match Fund, which runs until midday on 25 April, with all donations up to £100,000 matched by Big Give.

The Alliance’s Rewilding Nation Charter, calling on the Scottish Government to declare Scotland a rewilding nation, has already been signed by thousands of people, with more continuing to come in.

Abernethy forest, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland © James Shooter

In a message of support shared to his 62 million followers on Instagram earlier this month, oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio posted: “With this campaign, Scotland could be a world leader in rewilding its landscapes, ensuring clean air and water, storing carbon, reducing flooding, restoring wildlife, and improving the lives of locals.”

The Scottish Rewilding Alliance aims to showcase how rewilding can tackle both the biodiversity and climate crisis, as well as offering social and economical benefits.

The funds raised will go towards supporting community events, meetings with politicians and policy makers, a new community rewilding guide, and making the campaign widely accessible in Gaelic.

Alliance member Trees for Life have invited DiCaprio to visit the charity’s Dundreggan Rewilding Centre located near Loch Ness in the Highlands.

The Alliance says its target to rewilding 30% of Scotland can be achieved through the restoration of habitats, including peatlands, native woodlands, wetlands, rivers and seas, with no loss of productive farmland.