In spite of their naturalistic characteristics, urban parks are carefully managed spaces. In nature, fallen leaves and fruit decompose naturally and return nutrients to the soil. Worms help loosen the soil and decompose organic matter while insects such as butterflies and bees are important pollinators. Weeds are part of the ecosystem and some of them can be important food for pollinating insects. However, most urban dwellers dislike worms and insects, and think weeds are an eyesore. Hence, pesticides and herbicides are used in urban parks even though these poisons are the major reason behind the catastrophic decline of the world’s pollinating insects. Similarly, fallen leaves and fruits in urban parks are considered waste. Thus, cleaners are deployed every day to sweep the footpaths to ensure they are clean and tidy. The inherent contradiction is obvious. On the one hand, due to our increasing frustration with urban living and the crusade for health, physical fitness and an outdoor lifestyle, the ideals of nature and greenery are becoming more powerful. On the other hand, while we seem to embrace nature, we reject it for its opposition to treasured values of modern society such as tidiness and order. Unfortunately, this contradiction means that the management of urban parks in Hong Kong primarily consists of cleaning and maintenance rather than boosting biodiversity and wildlife conservation. However, studies have suggested that urban green spaces, if managed for habitat improvement, can be important refuges for biodiversity. Rewilding the city is an ecological strategy gaining prominence in the field of environmental conservation. This includes reducing the use of pesticides to protect pollinating insects and public health as well as reducing the use of herbicides to allow overgrown shrubbery and grassland to provide a network of nature- friendly habitats for pollinating insects. Rewilding is not a policy of neglect. It is not an excuse for the authorities not to carry out maintenance. The green spaces are still managed, only not in the traditional way. This new approach should be viewed as part of our commitment to make the city more sustainable, along with our policy to save water and energy. However, the authorities are unlikely to adopt a lower-intensity management strategy for urban parks without a change in public attitude. It is important for us to reconsider what is beautiful if we are to protect the wildlife. Tammy Yeung, Kwai Tsing