Before a new forest can grow, you need to find the right piece of land on which to plant it. Choosing a site for your future forest is the cornerstone of a successful rewilding project, and to do that you need to understand what makes a site ideal for the rewilding process. Let’s explore the key factors to consider when selecting land for rewilding.

Angela MacKinnon and Justin Davis at the Doig River First Nation Rewilding Project site.
Site History
The history of the land you choose will play a large part in whether the site is suitable for rewilding, and if so, how the land will be prepared for planting. Not all degraded land is a good candidate for rewilding. In particular, sites with environmental liabilities, such as those requiring remediation, would not be suitable for a Project Forest rewilding project. Examples of these would be abandoned well sites, mines, and gravel pits.
However, if your previously forested land is now an unproductive agricultural field — this could be an excellent candidate for rewilding. The site conditions on unproductive agricultural land may not be ideal prior to planting — including a heavy grass mat, existing vegetation (both native and invasive species), and soil compaction — however all of these factors can be addressed as part of Project Forest’s site mitigation techniques prior to planting.
Think Big for Better Impact
When it comes to rewilding, size plays a significant role in the project’s ecological impact. While we recommend sites 10-hectares or larger to maximize environmental benefits, there’s no upper limit to how large a rewilding site can be. Larger areas offer distinct advantages:
- Greater potential for species diversity
- Better support for wildlife populations
- Enhanced connectivity between existing natural areas
- Increased resilience against environmental pressures
Cultural and Ecological Significance
The environmental benefits of rewilding are not the only criteria to consider when choosing a location for your forest. The cultural and ecological significance of the land to the surrounding communities of plants, animals, and people is also of great importance. Many of our First Nations land partners consider how the forest they are planting will impact opportunities for traditional land use like berry- and medicine-picking, enhancement of wildlife habitat, and the transfer of knowledge to future generations.
Your Forest is More than the Sum of Its Trees
Selecting the right site for rewilding isn’t just about checking boxes on a criteria list – it’s about understanding how your project fits into the broader ecological and cultural landscape of your community. The best sites often combine multiple factors: suitable historical use, adequate size, and cultural or ecological significance.
Each potential rewilding site is unique, with its own set of challenges and opportunities. Taking the time to carefully evaluate these factors will set your rewilding project on the path to success.
Want to learn more about our site assessment process or discuss a potential rewilding location?
Contact us to start the conversation about transforming your land into a thriving forest. And in the meantime, download our Land for Rewilding Guide to get started on your rewilding journey.