Wild nature in the pandemic city

The pandemic brought into focus many forms of wild nature that existed in and near cities but were perhaps unseen or underappreciated. Birds and their songs were newly appreciated, and evidence suggests that the pandemic may have hatched a new generation of birdwatchers and bird lovers who gain solace from them. Equally true, there is evidence that as humans withdrew from some spaces during lockdowns (cruise ships and recreational boats from marine environments), ecosystems quickly rebounded and improved, providing a sense of hope for what might be possible in normal post-pandemic times. Wildness and wild nature, it is argued here, are important qualities of cities and are increasingly valued after the global pandemic. The chapter reviews some of the different sources of wildness in cities, places where wild nature exists and could be cultivated further: on rooftops and building facades, in front and back yards, in the soil beneath our feet, and even in the sky above us. This wildness is beneficial and desirable in cities, enhances the quality of our lives, but becomes especially important during times of stress and anxiety, such as during a global pandemic .