In its current form, ‘rewilding’ has been around since 1992, when the term was coined by a group of US-based conservationists. Simply put, rewilding refers to the idea that ‘nature knows best’, that by removing large-scale wildlife management, allowing natural forest regeneration and returning species that have been removed from an ecosystem due to human action, nature will balance itself and thrive once again.   

More recently, the concept of rewilding has been associated with us humans. Designer, illustrator and author Melissa Mylchreest has created the fabulous Rewilding Kids Australia activity book. It’s full of beautiful designs to colour, weird and wonderful facts and really encourages kids (and kids at heart) to get out and explore their backyard.  

Melissa says, “I define rewilding, and what I do, as a concept that encourages people to immerse themselves in nature, to slow down and learn to identify and understand the world around them.”

In a case of impeccable timing, Melissa moved from the chaos of Sydney’s Inner West, firstly to Kiama and then to Shoalhaven Heads, just before Covid hit – something which allowed her to spend time each day walking in the bush and swimming in the ocean.

“I rediscovered my love of being in nature and its beauty.” 

This rediscovery has also allowed her to discover a new love of bird photography and that by ‘going wild’ she can slow down and gain focus.

“I have a busy mind but when I take my camera out, I’m completely in the moment, listening, seeing, creating and being! I love it so much.” 

Melissa has a few other projects under her belt, including the Kiama Passport for Kids, with lots of colouring-in, stickers and places to tick off once you’ve explored. She’s also illustrating a couple of children’s books but chooses, when she has a moment, to step away from the computer and to practise what she preaches, by immersing herself totally in nature.

“In my spare time I’m working on a nature journal – offline! I’ve felt the urge to paint, draw, make collages out the images I’m creating – but do it all by hand, not on the computer. I like researching what I find in nature and this is a creative way to document my adventures.”

To read more about Melissa’s work, to buy her book or to sign up for free downloads, head to Rewilding Life.

You can also follow Melissa’s everyday adventures in nature on Instagram and Facebook.