Swedish Lapland | Rewilding Europe

Northern Europe’s untamed land

Staffan Widstrand / Rewilding Europe

Northern Europe’s untamed land

Erlend Haarberg

Northern Europe’s untamed land

Erlend Haarberg

Northern Europe’s untamed land

Orsolya Haarberg

Northern Europe’s untamed land

Staffan Widstrand / Rewilding Europe

Northern Europe’s untamed land

Northern Europe’s untamed and unique land – home of the Sami, charismatic wildlife species and natural treasures.

Swedish Lapland – Sápmi – is a unique blend of untamed nature and cultural heritage. Here old-growth forests, mountains, glaciers, free-flowing rivers and extensive wetlands co-exist with the indigenous Sami community since millennia. There is no other place in continental Europe with such vast, uninhabited, road-less and original landscapes as Swedish Lapland.

The large-scale reindeer migration and river systems shape the landscape as well as people’s lives. However, even under such pristine conditions, there are threats and needs to ensure that the uniqueness of the land remains and that some lost components are brought back.

With the snow-capped mountains, glaciers, unbroken taiga forest, vast wetlands and rich wildlife, Swedish Lapland is known for its exceptional natural beauty. Within this landscape rewilding aims to empower local communities, including the Sami people, to not only coexist with and preserve nature and its wildlife but also derive their livelihoods from these pristine lands.

Rewilding vision

For each rewilding landscape we developed an inspiring vision that shows our ambition for the next ten years. Together with our local partners we work to make this vision a reality.

Swedish Lapland – Sápmi – has become known as the untamed northern wild natural area of Europe, home to the Sami people, charismatic species and natural treasures. It is a vast landscape connecting the Atlantic with the Baltic Sea through some of Europe's wildest rivers. It is famous for its abundance of big elk living together with bears, wolverines and lynx, big reindeer herds migrating between the mountains and through the largest remaining tracts of old-growth taiga forests left in Europe, the snow-capped mountains and glaciers, and where three of Europe's largest untamed rivers remain free-flowing.
Swedish Lapland has been home to the Sami people for millennia, with a unique culture, natural resource use, and relationship to nature rooted in ancient history. Through the coalition between Sami people and nature conservation, Rewilding Sweden has helped to create a new economy anchored in a unique culture combined with wildlife comeback and rewilding, and the maintenance of the two main forces shaping the landscape of the north – large-scale reindeer migration and free flowing rivers. Shifted attitudes and practice from exploitation towards benefitting from innovative nature protection and wildlife management, have re-connected people with nature.
The sheer size and the diversity have enabled a number of successful initiatives and positive effects upon wildlife. The coalition between the Sami community and the rewilding initiative has been productive, and through mutual trust, people have gained confidence in starting new and stronger enterprises with high standard accommodation, guided experiences including wildlife watching, as well as stronger markets for local produce. This has generated a more positive attitude in the local society for the value and economic potential of wildlife and high quality tourism. These local developments have resonated in decisions at both the regional and national levels leading to the protection of all remaining old-growth forests on state-owned land and put an end to the unsustainable development of Swedish Lapland, such as mining.
The reindeer migration is at the heart of Swedish Lapland that shapes the landscape and ecology and reconnects people with nature. It is the very lifeline of the Sami people and their unique culture. The full protection of all remaining old-growth forests in combination with a reindeer adapted forestry and no threat from the mining industry to the most important reindeer winter areas have been put in place, safeguarding the ecological and cultural lifeline of the north.
The Rewilding Sweden initiative has enhanced the rich wildlife. Economic development that links to the wildlife of the area has gradually changed attitudes to Lapland’s big carnivores – wolf, bear and wolverine – allowing a comeback of these of species. The initiative has also led to a stronger interest in the many other species of the taiga, mountains, rivers and the seas, such as gyrfalcon, Ural owl, siberian jay, beaver, otter, white-tailed eagle, salmon trout and orca on the Atlantic side. The combination of restoration of spawning ground for species like grayling, Atlantic salmon and trout with alternative management models (such as 'catch and release') and 'fish watching' have stimulated the local economy and increased the stocks and size of fish.
Nature-based tourism is seen as a serious and relevant economic alternative to industrial development, especially mining. Partnerships between local entrepreneurs, the Sami community and high-quality ecotourism have stimulated new businesses and products as well as more local, sustainable jobs. The coalition between Sami communities and Rewilding Sweden built on trust and confidence has facilitated new and stronger Sami enterprises and helped Sami people in setting up new accommodation, selling guided wildlife experiences such as wildlife watching, and resulted in better markets for local produce, like reindeer meat. Reindeer herders live their live depending of nature, the weather and the reindeer and invite guests in an exclusive way to experience and learn about the reindeer herding as well as Sami culture and history.

What are we doing here?

Wilder rivers

Rewilding Sweden is committed to reviving northern Swedish regions. Deeply rooted in the pristine landscapes of Norrbotten and Västerbotten, the team aims to breath new life into forests scarred by intensive management and rivers harnessed for human needs. By revitalizing rivers and forests, they create havens for vital animal and plant species, nurturing a flourishing ecosystem.

Lapland’s rivers define the landscape, but human intervention, including damming and other impacts, has disrupted these ecosystems. A long history of use, particularly for floating logs to the sea in the past, have altered the rivers and some are dammed.

In collaboration with Norbotten County and fishing associations, Rewilding Sweden works to boost fish populations, remove barriers, restore riverbeds, and rejuvenate spawning grounds.

Linked to the restoration of rivers is the restoration of the wetlands flanking those rivers, especially the peatland systems that regulate water flows and store vast amounts of carbon. In the recent past, many wetlands were drained to enhance the growth of forests, acting as a source of carbon. Rewilding Sweden is reversing this trend, by contributing to healthier river ecosystems and peatlands.

Nature-based businesses

Beyond river restoration, Rewilding Sweden is exploring new nature-based business opportunities. They foster nature-based business models that empower local communities to thrive while safeguarding their natural heritage.

Their commitment goes beyond conservation; it’s a mission to support sustainable livelihoods that coexist harmoniously with nature. Through close collaborations, such as those with the Sami communities, they pave the way for a future where communities can not only coexist with nature but also prosper from its preservation. The ultimate goal is clear: to establish a sustainable ecosystem where people and nature coexist in harmony, nurturing both the land and its inhabitants.

Stories from the landscape

Dam removal boosts connectivity in Swedish Lapland

October 23, 2024

Go with the flow: river rewilding in Swedish Lapland

September 22, 2023

Realising a dream: an interview with Rewilding Sweden Team Leader Henrik Persson

December 8, 2022

Our main achievements

Image gallery

Reindeer herd in Lapland rewilding landscape, Sweden.

Kjell Wågberg, bird sculptor in Jokkmokk

Taiga boreal forest in Kvikkjokk

Arctic raspberry

Kvikkjokk river delta

Boatman in Kvikkjokk

Spruce tree

A village near the Årrenjarka lodge near Kvikkjokk, Lapland, Sweden.

Nammatj hill on the left and Skierfe mountain on the right, Rapa river delta, Sarek National Park

The Årrenjarka lodge near Kvikkjokk, Lapland

Stora Sjöfallet water power station

Nammatj hill on the left and Skierfe mountain on the right, Rapa river delta, Sarek National Park

The famous Rapa river delta, Sarek National Park, Lapland, Sweden.

Sami tents, Lapland rewilding landscape, Sweden.

Reindeer herding activities are part of Lapland's ancient and unique natural-cultural landscape.

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Lapland rewilding lanscape, Sweden.

Restaurant Skaidi in Nikkaluokta Sarri Lodge, run by Saami ecotourism entrepreneur Anna Sarri, Nikkaluokta, Lapland

Reindeer

STF Saltoluokta Fjällstation mountain lodge

Impressive old-growth pine forest, Saltoluokta area, bordering to the Stora Sjöfallet National Park

Peat bog lands and taiga boreal forest, Sjaunja Bird Protection Area, Lapland

Limestone oak fern

Several wildest rivers of Europe and home to some of the last original wild salmon populations of the continent are located in Lapland rewilding area in northern Sweden.

The famous Rapa river delta, Sarek National Park

Peat bog lands and taiga boreal forest, Sjaunja Bird Protection Area, Lapland.

Mountain birch forest, Saltoluokta area, bordering to the Stora Sjöfallet National Park

The famous Rapa river delta, Sarek National Park

The famous King's Trail hiking trail, Saltoluokta area, bordering to the Stora Sjöfallet National Park, Lapland, Sweden.

Tjuonajokk fishing camp, Kaitum river, Stora Sjöfallet National Park, Lapland

Peat bog lands and taiga boreal forest, Sjaunja Bird Protection Area, Lapland.

Old-growth pine forest, Stora Sjöfallet National Park, Lapland

The headwater lands of Vietasätno river, Stora Sjöfallet National Park, Lapland

Peat bog lands and taiga boreal forest, Sjaunja Bird Protection Area, Lapland

Peat bog lands and taiga boreal forest, Sjaunja Bird Protection Area, Lapland, Sweden.

Varjisån - a tributary of the Pite river

The headwater lands of Vietasätno river, Stora Sjöfallet National Park, Lapland

Peat bog lands and taiga boreal forest, Sjaunja Bird Protection Area, Lapland, Sweden.

European Rewilding Network members came together to discuss the restoration and rewilding of river systems.

Peat bog lands and taiga boreal forest, Sjaunja Bird Protection Area, Lapland

The headwater lands of Vietasätno river, Stora Sjöfallet National Park, Lapland

The famous Rapa river delta, Sarek National Park, Lapland

Reindeer herd in Lapland rewilding landscape, Sweden.

Reindeer herd in Lapland

Great grey owl

Contact

Isak Edström

Field Officer

Board members

Roland Jansson (interim chair)
Christian Sjöland
Frans Schepers

Advisors to the board

Lars-Anders Baer
Lena Lindén

Partners

The dedicated entity Rewilding Sweden is the preferential partner for Rewilding Europe. Both organisations signed a partnership agreement, including a long-term strategy, for rewilding the Swedish Lapland landscape.

Rewilding Sweden has established partnerships with the local association for the Pite River (Pite Älv Ekonomisk Förening) and the Råne River (Degerselsbygdens Samfällighetsförening). Also, a partnership has been established with the Swedish Ecotourism Association.

Other important, current partnerships include the Norrbotten County Board (Länsstyrelsen Norrbotten), Swedish Lapland, local municipalities (e.g. Arvidsjaur), the Swedish Tourist Association (Svenska Turistföreningen), the Swedish Biodiversity Centre (Centrum för Biologisk Mångfald), and the Grimsö Wildlide Research Station (Grimsö Viltforskningsstation).

Contact

www.rewilding-sweden.com

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Explore other landscapes

Rewilding vision

What are we doing here?

Wilder rivers

Nature-based businesses

Stories from the landscape

Dam removal boosts connectivity in Swedish Lapland

Go with the flow: river rewilding in Swedish Lapland

Realising a dream: an interview with Rewilding Sweden Team Leader Henrik Persson

Forest rewilding takes pioneering step forward in Sweden

Missing link: it’s time to restore native herbivore populations in Sweden

River restoration in Swedish Lapland moves forward

Our main achievements

Image gallery

Contact

Henrik Persson

Petter Esberg

Anders Granér

Isak Edström

Board members

Advisors to the board

Partners

Contact