Two inspiring rewilding initiatives based in Poland and Slovakia have joined Rewilding Europe’s European Rewilding Network. Their addition will strengthen the network in Central Europe and create new opportunities to amplify nature recovery through collaboration, shared learning, and practical action.
Central European expansion
Rewilding Europe’s European Rewilding Network continues to grow with the addition of two new members: the Forever Forest Foundation in Poland and Rewilding Rivers and Danube Floodplains in Slovakia, led by conservation association BROZ.
Their addition marks an important milestone for the network’s expansion in Central Europe, where the rewilding movement is gaining momentum, supported by stronger collaboration, evolving policy, and European funding. The Slovak initiative is the first member from Slovakia, while Forever Forest is only the fourth from Poland. Together, they broaden the network’s geographical reach and strengthen a growing community of organisations working to make Europe wilder.
By joining the network, both initiatives will benefit from access to a wealth of practical experience, knowledge, and expertise from fellow members across the continent. In turn, they will contribute their own insights, helping to accelerate rewilding through collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Restoring forests and rivers
While their landscapes differ, both initiatives share a commitment to revitalising natural processes and creating healthier, more resilient ecosystems.
Operating across Poland, the Forever Forest Foundation is working towards an ambitious vision of establishing at least one permanently protected forest in every county by 2035. By creating diverse native woodlands, permanently protecting mature forests from commercial logging, and restoring degraded forest plantations, it is helping forests recover their natural richness and resilience. Since its launch in 2019, the foundation has protected or restored nearly 300 hectares of biodiverse forest, while pioneering legal approaches that could strengthen the long-term protection of privately owned forests across the country.
Meanwhile, BROZ has spent nearly 30 years restoring the dynamic floodplain landscapes of the Danube in south-west Slovakia. Its work has restored around 1,200 hectares of wetlands, revitalised more than 30 kilometres of side channels, and restored 1,500 hectares of grazing land. By reconnecting rivers with their floodplains and restoring wetlands, forests, and meadows, the initiative is helping wildlife recover while delivering wider benefits such as healthier ecosystems, improved water management, and greater climate resilience.
Learning from one another
Education, partnership, and community engagement lie at the heart of both initiatives. The Forever Forest Foundation works closely with businesses, researchers, volunteers, and local communities to build long-term support for forest restoration, while BROZ collaborates with schools, universities, volunteers, land managers, and public authorities to promote nature recovery across Slovakia.
“Nature knows no borders, and neither should its protection,” says Jacek Wojtowicz, Forest Keeper at the Forever Forest Foundation. “As we work to create ‘biodiversity islands’ that heal the Polish landscape, joining the European Rewilding Network will allow us to exchange the ‘wisdom of the woods’ with Europe’s leading experts. This new partnership is the bridge that will connect our local forests to the grand vision of a wilder, more resilient Europe.”
“We are proud to be part of the European Rewilding Network — a network that is so closely aligned with our work, goals, and values,” says Tomas Kusik, Chairman of BROZ. “We are excited to connect more than two decades of practical conservation in Slovakia with a continental movement. We hope that connecting with the network will amplify our efforts to realise a more natural and resilient Europe.”
Stronger together
As members of the European Rewilding Network, both initiatives will have opportunities to learn from fellow practitioners tackling similar challenges across Europe. The Forever Forest Foundation hopes to strengthen its work on natural forest regeneration, biodiversity monitoring, and nature-based financing, while sharing its experience of permanently protecting privately owned forests and engaging businesses in restoration. BROZ is keen to exchange expertise on river restoration, wetland revitalisation, natural grazing, and working with local communities, while contributing more than two decades of practical conservation experience from Slovakia.
Every new member strengthens the network by bringing fresh ideas, practical knowledge, and local experience. As rewilding gathers pace across Europe, collaboration between initiatives will play an increasingly important role in scaling up nature recovery and building a continent where people and wildlife can thrive together.
The addition of these neighbouring initiatives highlights the growing momentum for rewilding in Central Europe and reinforces the European Rewilding Network’s role as a community where practitioners can learn from one another, overcome shared challenges, and help turn ambitious rewilding visions into reality.
Let’s rewild together
Rewilding Europe extends a warm welcome to all European rewilding initiatives that focus on practical, results-oriented rewilding and encourages them to apply for European Rewilding Network membership.
