Understanding the wolf and rewilding a home: one couple's journey to coexist with nature in Northern Spain.
Understanding the wolf and rewilding a home: one couple's journey to coexist with nature in Northern Spain.
Ecosystems & habitats (general), Endangered species, Environmental conservation & protection
In 2018, Katie and her boyfriend, Luke, moved to Asturias, Northern Spain, in search of a home. As conservation storytellers, they were drawn to the story of the Iberian wolf - a much-maligned creature facing relentless persecution right on their doorstep. But as they delved deeper, they discovered that the story was far more complex than they had imagined. While searching, they found a dilapidated old dairy farm, which they purchased with a vision to rewild its surrounding land. They named their new home Wild Finca and soon realized that promoting coexistence with wolves - and all wildlife - wasn’t about exposing the darker aspects of the relationship but about proving that living alongside wildlife was truly possible by doing it themselves.
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Can humans play a beneficial role within a habitat? Luke, Katie, and their young family are shining examples of just this. By telling their story, they share a hope that will warm hearts and inspire minds. ~ Rebecca Hosking, Pioneer of Agriwilding and Founder of The Forever Flock
This immersive and inspirational book invites the reader to fall in love with nature again and you can’t help but oblige. No matter where in the world you are, you find yourself side by side with Katie and Luke, as they make their way to becoming the custodians of a beautiful Spanish finca, nestled amongst the mountains of Asturias. Katie doesn’t shy away from the trials and tribulations of prioritising biodiversity in a traditional farming landscape, yet their successes punctuate every chapter in the form of the returning flora and fauna. The content of this story is as beautifully diverse as the land they are so lovingly tending. A thoroughly enjoyable read, with comedic anecdotes and relatable tales of family life, the story of Wild Finca has filled my head with ideas and heart with hope. Not only is No Paradise with Wolves a book about restoring nature, Katie’s honest account of raising their children in a wild environment sews the seed for other parents, like me, to join them in raising the custodians of the future. ~ Gemma Shooter, Rewilding Communicator, Illustrator and Animal Behaviourist
An inspiring story of vision and deep love and connection with the land. Katie and Luke’s inspirational passion for Wild Finca is felt on every page of this book. The journey is not an easy one, yet you are left feeling that the landscape is in good hands, and you cannot help but share the vision that one day, Wild Finca will be filled with the buzz of insects, the songs of long-lost bird species and even, possibly, the howl of the wolf. A wonderful read that restores a faith that landscapes such as these can, once again, see nature flourish in all its wild glory. ~ WildlifeKate, Wildlife Enthusiast & Educator
A beautifully woven story that takes your hand through the mountains of Asturias and makes you feel as connected to it as the lawn in your backyard. As Katie and Luke’s story develops and grows, just like their family and farm, so deepens your connection and willingness for their finca to flourish. As Katie invites us into her home and walks us across her pasture and meadows, we become enriched by tales of rewilding. Katie charms through her writing as she recounts the highs and lows of management, motherhood and as a custodian of this special conservation led environment. This story left me inspired, my horizons feeling broader than ever before, the flame of hope for our neighbours on this planet ablaze and awakened, with all credit to the incomprehensible hard work and dedication of Luke and Katie, and beautifully surmised in ‘No Paradise With Wolves’. ~ Elle Kaye, Conservationist & Taxidermist
