What if your holiday could help restore nature? That question lies at the heart of a new rewilding week launched by the Rewilding Sweden team and wildlife tour company Wild Sweden, which combines unforgettable experiences in the Swedish wilderness with hands-on rewilding action. Rewilding Europe visual storyteller James Shooter took part in the first-ever trip.

For over a century, protected areas have been the backbone of nature conservation in Europe – safeguarding habitats and species from urban sprawl, intensive agriculture, and the relentless advance of human infrastructure. Yet no protected area can function in isolation. Healthy ecosystems depend on connectivity: on wildlife corridors, permeable landscapes, and the freedom for species to move and thrive.

Submissions for the Rewilding Europe Award in this year’s European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition are eligible until 1 March. With the deadline approaching, Berlin-based photographer Jon A. Juárez — who will act as one of this year’s judges — shares his thoughts on what makes a prize-winning rewilding image.

Submissions for the Rewilding Europe Award in this year’s European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition are eligible until March 1. With the deadline approaching, Munich-based photographer Viktoria Pezzei — who will act as one of this year’s judges — shares her views on what makes a powerful rewilding image.

Frans Schepers, CEO of Rewilding Europe, looks ahead to 2026 and explains why uniting behind a shared rewilding vision for our continent is more important than ever.

Immediate action at scale is needed to restore nature across Europe. Spearheaded by the Nature Restoration Law, the enabling environment for rewilding has never been stronger — although meaningful implementation by EU Member States is now critical.

The Rewilding Apennines team and local partners are working to ensure that Marsican brown bears and communities can thrive together in Italy’s Central Apennine mountains. This year, an educational programme and a popular festival brought together residents of all ages to strengthen the vital connection between people and the wildlife on their doorstep.

This summer, devastating wildfires swept across Europe, with Spain and Portugal hit hardest. As extreme weather becomes more common, the restoration of natural grazing can help prevent the build-up of flammable vegetation and reduce the severity, scale, and impact of fires.

Nestled in Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains, Zhenda is poised to become a beacon of nature recovery. As they take bold steps to unlock the site’s rewilding potential, the Rewilding Rhodopes team are working towards a wilder future where nature and people thrive together.

Remember when summer nights brought swarms of moths to a single light bulb? When gardens shimmered with butterflies and mornings rang with birdsong? Today, what we see in nature is only a faint shadow of what once was. Rewilding offers a way back.