(Be)Wilder: Journeys in nature

by Darryl Jones

Can our interactions with wildlife help answer life’s big questions?
In (Be)wilder, acclaimed urban ecologist Darryl Jones explores how people around the world interact with wildlife. He spends time with bearded pigs in Borneo, rock ptarmigans in the Arctic, birdwatchers in Iowa and conservationist farmers in Australia’s Snowy Mountains.
Along the way, Jones asks, is it possible for farming and conservation to work together? How can urban landscapes be redesigned to enhance biodiversity? What happens when a local community turns centuries of traditional land use over to wildlife? And can birdwatching help save the planet?

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2025

About the author

This article (Darryl^Jones) is for the Australian ecologist.
For the children's author see Darryl^^Jones.
For the English literature professor, see Darryl^^^Jones.

Reviews

[Meghann Kenkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this after seeing the author speak and both experiences really sucked me into his world. The vivid descriptions he gives and the fact that he manages to stay positive (and funny!) while talking about something so serious is an amazing breath of fresh air. I loved this and it was needed in a world where everything seems dark

[Andrew Sloan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely journey through Darryl's experiences with nature. An essential reminder that this world is way bigger than just the human race.

[Ben Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading Darryl’s works. He has an Attenborough quality to his writing. It is playful, yet informative, well structured but flows like a good story should. Interesting and its central idea is essential. Definitely worth a read.

On a side note, I live not to far from the Compton Rd nature overpass. Great piece of infrastructure!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book at a talk by the author and it did not disappoint!

Darryl's enthusiasm and captivating storytelling are evident in his writing too.

Each chapter was a self contained ecology story, and there was a particular focus on the ecology of humans interacting with the rest of nature, and some surprising lessons we can learn about how to play a better role in our ecosystems.

This book left me not only wanting to visit some of these places, but to keep exploring my local streets to learn more about my wild neighbours that share my habitat.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a nature nerd or nature curious.... And probably even more to people who are not (yet).

[Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually really enjoy Darryl Jones' books, but this one was a bit dissapointing... It seemed to jump around a bit, and the different stories weren't fleshed out well and I couldn't quite understand the theme or the point he was trying to make. It also seemed to say from the prologue that this was supposed to be a book of hope, but I found most of the tales a bit depressing.

[Jacinta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each personal story highlights how people are impacting the natural world. The devastating decline of bearded pigs, the environmental engineerings of Borneo. The success of the first Australian wildlife bridge and a deeply personal and uplifting explanation of the importance of Conservancies in Kenya.

[Jocelyn]

Interesting, well-told vignettes from an academic career observing and analysing animals in urban settings. Despite efforts at hope the overall effect is sad, alrhough not entirely