Across Europe, rewilding is already delivering tangible results for people, nature, and climate. Over the next 12 months, bigger and bolder actions can amplify rewilding’s positive impact.
Bolder steps
In 2024, Rewilding Europe stepped up efforts to advance nature recovery across Europe – in collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and supporters – as we worked towards the objectives set out in our Strategy for 2030. An overview of our key results , put together at the end of the last year, showcases the scope and impact of our actions. Our desire for 2025 is to take even bolder steps to accelerate the scaling up of rewilding and the benefits it delivers, and to help others do the same.
A hugely diverse range of interventions are planned across our expanding rewilding landscape portfolio this year – from the translocation and release of keystone wildlife species such as European bison, cinereous vultures, and Przewalski’s horses, to the restoration of rivers, forests and other types of landscape, which will support the natural comeback of wildlife. These measures will be complemented by efforts to grow nature-based economies and amplify engagement with rewilding. We have set ambitious targets to significantly increase the area being rewilded, scaling up to hundreds of thousands of hectares where natural processes are given the space to shape land and sea.
Shaping tomorrow’s wild
By giving nature the space and capacity to heal itself, rewilding is the best way to simultaneously address climate breakdown, enhance biodiversity, and deliver a more liveable and prosperous world – both now and in the years to come. Rewilding offers a hopeful new vision for restoring our natural world in the 21st century, with an inspirational message that is capturing hearts and minds on an ever-increasing scale. It offers hope of a future where people and nature can thrive alongside each other.
As we move into 2025, now is the time to feel energised and excited by the upward trajectory of the European rewilding movement, with a burgeoning number of rewilding initiatives taking nature recovery to the next level across the continent.
Delivering game-changing impact
It is now 14 years since Rewilding Europe was founded. While our organisation has evolved hugely since 2011, our mission remains the same – to demonstrate the benefits of wilder nature through the rewilding of diverse European landscapes, and to inspire and enable others to engage in rewilding by providing tools and practical experience. We are committed to scaling up rewilding across Europe and carrying out impactful actions that deliver tangible benefits for people, nature, and climate.
Now is the time to think big and seize the opportunities that we have to upgrade nature and deliver game-changing impact. Opportunities to rediscover and reconnect with wild nature to improve our own health and well-being. Opportunities to future-proof nature against our changing climate, by enhancing the health, resilience, and connectivity of natural ecosystems. And opportunities to transform the outlook for people, communities, and businesses by ensuring the return of wilder nature delivers sustainable jobs and income.
Reasons to be optimistic
For the beneficial impact of nature recovery to be truly transformational, rewilding needs to be practised at a far larger scale than it is today, both on land and in the sea. Looking ahead to the next 12 months, there are many reasons to be optimistic about this scaling up process.
The European continent already boasts an array of wondrous wild places and iconic wildlife species of all shapes and sizes. Today, many of these species are making a comeback of their own accord, showing that wildlife can and will return if we give it the space. European policies are increasingly supportive of nature recovery, with the Nature Restoration Law’s binding targets for EU Member States now in force – and attainable with rewilding playing a key role. And there is huge potential for Europe’s extensive network of protected areas to become wilder and better connected, which is something Rewilding Europe is working towards, in partnership with the EUROPARC Federation.
Join us
Regardless of age or background, everyone can play a role in scaling up rewilding and nature recovery across Europe. If you are inspired by the thought of a wilder, better tomorrow – and are keen to begin your own rewilding journey in 2025 – join us today. As Rewilding Europe works to make our continent a wilder place, we are always looking to collaborate with conservation organisations, public or private institutions, foundations, companies, and private individuals. From more wildlife to wilder lives, let’s supercharge nature recovery in Europe together.