Restoring the Wild

‘Dennis is the most significant conservationist you’ve probably never heard of, and possessed of a radicalism that would startle the most outspoken young environmentalist … Dennis’s vision of how to halt the extinction crisis and restore lost habitats and species in Britain deserves attention because it is rooted in 60 years of pioneering conservation action … Like Dennis, the book is modest, deeply informative and profoundly hopeful, in that it shows a new generation how to bring back lost species’ Patrick Barkham, Guardian

‘Now 81, Dennis is possibly the UK’s most senior and influential conservationist you may never have heard of … Restoring the Wild covers Dennis’s career, which he built on the profound knowledge of ecology and species interaction. It is a book based on his diaries of 60 years, which reveal the sheer number of reports, town hall lectures, licences, risk assessments, acronyms, obstacles and setbacks before the excitement comes … exhilarating’ Kathleen Jamie, New Statesman

‘If you want to find out how to help wildlife survive, thrive, and expand their own horizons, Roy Dennis is the very man: according to the RSPB, no-one else has done more for nature conservation in Scotland in the last 100 years. Informed by sixty years of fieldwork, his new book is a comprehensive guide to how well – or poorly – we are placed to rewild our skies, woods and waterways’ David Robinson, Books from Scotland

‘Roy’s passion and love of wildlife is visible in every crevice of the book … a tantalising and inspiring read’ The Scottish Field

‘A wonderful book, steeped in knowledge and experience of nature and of the more practical ends of nature conservation … No one else could write this book from personal experience – it’s a treat … A joy to read, and gives plenty of information but also food for thought.’ Mark Avery

‘A leading figure in UK reintroductions, Roy explains the process and necessity of bringing back our extinct apex predators’ Nature’s Home

Roy Dennis, MBE is a field ornithologist and wildlife consultant. He has worked in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland since 1959, most notably on the conservation of rare birds and the reintroduction of lost species, such as the white-tailed eagle and red kite. He is a specialist in raptor conservation and reintroductions in the UK and abroad, having been involved with osprey, red kite, golden eagle and sea eagle reintroduction projects, and his satellite tracking studies since 1999 have broken new ground and given great interest to the public. He has long been an advocate for restoring lost mammals to Scotland, particularly beaver and lynx. In 1992 he was awarded a MBE for services to nature conservation in Scotland and in 2004 was voted the RSPB Golden Eagle Award winner for the person who had done most for nature conservation in Scotland in the last 100 years. He is a writer, lecturer and broadcaster.