From rivers flowing freely again and forests regenerating, to vultures taking to the skies and wild grazers reshaping the land, 2025 was a year of action for Rewilding Europe — and of visible, hopeful change. Across our 11 rewilding landscapes, nature is returning with strength and resilience, and the communities who call these places home are starting to flourish alongside it.
EXPLORE OUR REWILDING HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2025
Towards wilder landscapes and wilder lives
As rewilding efforts bear fruit across Europe, wilder nature is returning — and people are beginning to feel the benefits of this recovery. Rewilding Europe is committed to sustaining and accelerating this momentum, restoring ecosystems and creating landscapes where humans and wildlife share space in ways that enrich both. By demonstrating what’s possible, we want to spark other rewilders to adopt and scale up this approach.
Throughout 2025, in collaboration with our dedicated landscape teams and passionate partners, we’ve removed dams to reconnect rivers, set forests and grasslands on a journey towards renewal, and supported the comeback of a wide range of wildlife species — from cinereous vultures and European hamsters to Sorraia horses and European bison. We’ve also taken steps to strengthen the well-being and prosperity of communities and businesses rooted in recovering nature, and captured people’s hearts and minds through inspirational content, innovative events and educational programmes, and inclusive dialogue.
Inspirational milestones and moments
As the year draws to a close, it offers a natural moment for reflection — a chance to recognise how far we’ve come, and to set our sights on what lies ahead. Our 2025 Rewilding Highlights page brings together some of the most significant milestones and moments from the past 12 months, alongside a selection of “big wins” from across our portfolio of rewilding landscapes. Together, they not only show the scale of what we’ve achieved, but also serve as a powerful reminder that a wilder, greener, and more vibrant Europe is not only possible — it’s already taking shape.
“The progress we’ve made in 2025 shows that remarkable things are possible when we work together and allow nature to lead the way,” says Rewilding Europe’s Executive Director, Frans Schepers. “As we look ahead to a new year filled with renewed ambition, we are motivated and energised by the growing movement for a wilder Europe and by all those helping to bring it to life.”
Help us make Europe wilder in 2026
Across Europe and around the world, rewilding is showing that large-scale nature recovery is not only possible, but profoundly beneficial — for ecosystems, climate, and people. What began as pioneering work has ignited into a global movement, reshaping how we restore nature and our relationship with it.
We invite you to be part of this burgeoning coalition — because every person and every organisation can make a difference. With your valued support, we can generate even more momentum in 2026, breathing new life into landscapes and seascapes at ever greater scale, restoring biodiversity and abundance, and nurturing a future where people and wildlife truly flourish together. Let’s keep rewilding hope, healing, and possibility across our continent. Join us on this journey.
We would also like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped us move forwards in 2025 — from funding partners, donors, and investors, to scientists, photographers, and everyday citizens. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to bigger and wilder things over the next 12 months and beyond.
