WILDING GARDENS 2026
A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE OF IDEAS
Established by a group of world-leading experts in gardening, rewilding, design, horticulture, biodiversity and climate change, the first Wilding Gardens conference will take place at the University of Manchester in January 2026. Over two days thrilling talks will stimulate discussion, present the science, inspire creativity and drive a nationwide movement.
sessions will explore:
the current state of gardens
WHO WE GARDEN FOR
WHAT WE MEAN BY WILDING GARDENS
HOW WE DO IT; PRACTICALLY, TECHNICALLY, PHILOSOPHICALLY
WHAT GARDENS MIGHT BE LIKE IN THE FUTURE
A NATIONAL MOVEMENT; FOR ANYONE WITH ACCESS TO A GARDEN, WHATEVER THE SIZE
The potential for gardens to contribute space for nature is colossal. Nationally, gardens total 23 million, covering an area of around 433,000 hectares. This is one-fifth of the area of Wales, and bigger than the Exmoor, Dartmoor and Lake District National Parks and the Norfolk Broads put together. In England, the area of land under gardens is four and a half times larger than the area designated to National Nature Reserves.
The Wilding Gardens Conference will examine why and how rewilding can lead to increased sustainability and biodiversity – from city gardens, parks, backyards and balconies, to country estates, churchyards and allotments, across the lawns, verges, plots and patios of our landscape.