Building connections with nature. A Reconnect policy brief on narratives that support nature restoration

Restoring our ecosystems back to a healthy status is central to the transition towards a more sustainable future.  This is a process of changing the biophysical landscapes and actively working with human perceptions and world-views. For nature restoration to bring benefits for both nature and people, it is important to ensure that it will be a broad societal commitment, supported and motivated by strong narratives of meaningful relations between people and nature. To this point, the RECONNECT project has identified five narratives for nature restoration and conservation grounded in people’s experiences and different relationships with nature. These narratives showcase the diverse and complementary facets of revitalised and resilient human-nature relationships. This policy brief aims to contribute to the efforts of EU Member States and communities in implementing the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. It will help to identify common values and meaningful pathways for inclusive restoration activities, grounded in local realities.