European Rewilding Network
Pioneers of our Time
Guiding Change Together
Daniel Riera
Josep Izart
Foundation Pioneers of our Time (est. 2022) is dedicated to establishing a new regenerative operating system for humanity. Based in the Muga Valley in the Spanish Pyrenees, we operate on 100.000 hectares, including a living lab of 10.000 hectares. We are not just pioneers; we are a living demonstration case, showcasing innovative solutions that can be replicated across the thousands of similar valleys in the EU.
We embrace a holistic, systems-thinking approach, collaborating closely with the local ecosystem and stakeholders to drive meaningful change. We operate as a facilitator and catalyzer to implement our vision in the bioregion. Our work is structured around five core content areas: Resilient Landscapes, Regenerative Economics & Finance, Shared Governance & Community, Research & Innovation, and Learning & Knowledge.
Project:
Pioneers of our Time
Region:
Muga Valley, Catalunya
Type of project:
Creating space for wilder nature, Fostering the development of nature based economies, Increasing interest in the wild through communications, Magnification of rewilding impact and practices, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision:
The Pioneers Of Our Time is a network of change makers that devote their life energy, wealth and talents as a force for good. The Pioneers aim to live their full potential and celebrate life! It has never been more urgent to create new societal and economic models. Now is the time to restore the self healing capacity of our planet’s ecosystems, to tackle spiritual emptiness and deeply connect to nature and each other. Now is the time for our talent and wealth to drive positive change and to ensure all life on planet earth thrives.
We embrace a holistic, systems-thinking approach, collaborating closely with the local ecosystem and stakeholders to drive meaningful change. We operate as a facilitator and catalyser to implement our vision in the bioregion.
Uniqueness of the project:
What makes the work of the Foundation Pioneers of Our Time unique is its holistic, systems-thinking approach that integrates environmental, economic, and social regeneration within a single framework, within a forested, watershed context. Moreover we take a multigenerational (7 generations) landscape perspective, where we co-create and collaborate with all relevant local stakeholders and pioneer working in public private partnerships.
Other activities:
Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, High-impact communications
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
Significant reduction of wildfire risk: Through the implementation of a comprehensive wildfire prevention plan covering the entire Cuenca de la Muga area, the goal is to substantially reduce both the frequency and severity of wildfires. This will be achieved through strategic management of fuel loads, combined with effective landscape control practices, such as the use of livestock in extensive systems and forestry work. These actions will help mitigate risks, reduce the spread of fires, and minimize potential damage to ecosystems and surrounding communities.
Results so far:
Resilient landscapes:
- Managing 17 hectares of forest regeneration and prepared management plans for 2,200 hectares, fire prevention and natural protected areas on 40,000 hectares, and biodiversity work on 18 hectares.
- Managing 23 km of river ecology with local partners and catalyzing unprecedented collaboration among local stakeholders (our neighbors).
- Co-creating a fire prevention plan for 40,000 hectares, integrating public-private partnerships and innovative practices.
- Successful restoration of vulture populations after 60-80 years, including nesting of Griffon, Bearded, and Egyptian vultures for the first time in a century.
- Working on the reintroduction of rabbits, otters, eagles and tortoises (in various stages) and started exploration of reintroduction of wild grazers.
Regenerative Economics & Finance:
- Developed a place-based climate credit pilot on 58 hectares, aimed at carbon sequestration, water generation, and biodiversity improvement. Plan to expand to 3,000 hectares.
- Laying the foundation for regenerative business models through a multidimensional land-use approach for sustainable economic activities. Already up and running are eco-tourisme (incl. vulture watching) and biochar production. Exploration of cork and herb production.
Shared Governance & Community:
- Fostered collaboration with local stakeholders through the development of a Muga Valley Partnership (MVP).
- Engaged the community through events such as the Fox Trail Run and the Muga Valley Festival, with the aim of building a sense of belonging and supporting environmental protection.
Research & Innovation:
- Established partnerships with academic institutions and international organizations for developing research hubs and innovation in resilient landscapes.
- Launched an impact measurement framework for carbon sequestration and water generation, in collaboration with expert partners.
Learning & Knowledge:
- FPOOT positions itself as a replicable demonstration case, sharing learnings with other regions.
- Offering educational content and capacity-building in areas like water management and forest restoration.
- Managing 17 hectares of forest regeneration and prepared management plans for 2,200 hectares, fire prevention and natural protected areas on 40,000 hectares, and biodiversity work on 18 hectares.
- Managing 23 km of river ecology with local partners and catalyzing unprecedented collaboration among local stakeholders (our neighbors).
- Co-creating a fire prevention plan for 40,000 hectares, integrating public-private partnerships and innovative practices.
- Successful restoration of vulture populations after 60-80 years, including nesting of Griffon, Bearded, and Egyptian vultures for the first time in a century.
- Working on the reintroduction of rabbits, otters, eagles and tortoises (in various stages) and started exploration of reintroduction of wild grazers.
Regenerative Economics & Finance:
- Developed a place-based climate credit pilot on 58 hectares, aimed at carbon sequestration, water generation, and biodiversity improvement. Plan to expand to 3,000 hectares.
- Laying the foundation for regenerative business models through a multidimensional land-use approach for sustainable economic activities. Already up and running are eco-tourisme (incl. vulture watching) and biochar production. Exploration of cork and herb production.
Shared Governance & Community:
- Fostered collaboration with local stakeholders through the development of a Muga Valley Partnership (MVP).
- Engaged the community through events such as the Fox Trail Run and the Muga Valley Festival, with the aim of building a sense of belonging and supporting environmental protection.
Research & Innovation:
- Established partnerships with academic institutions and international organizations for developing research hubs and innovation in resilient landscapes.
- Launched an impact measurement framework for carbon sequestration and water generation, in collaboration with expert partners.
Learning & Knowledge:
- FPOOT positions itself as a replicable demonstration case, sharing learnings with other regions.
- Offering educational content and capacity-building in areas like water management and forest restoration.
Inspirational value:
The Foundation has accumulated valuable learnings through its projects, highlighting the power of collaboration and commitment to nature. These projects have provided a deep understanding of the interactions between ecosystems, wildlife, and human communities. Ecological restoration requires an integrated approach that balances human needs with natural processes. Additionally, the importance of partnerships with landowners and local governments has been recognized for generating a lasting impact. The creation of testing and collaboration spaces with key stakeholders is essential for implementing innovative and adaptive solutions. In summary, joint work, a shared vision, and sustainability are key to restoring ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and building resilient communities.
Experience you would like to share:
We can offer access to our large-scale living lab, where innovative practices are tested and applied. Our expertise in developing public-private partnerships/ structures, and successfully reintroducing keystone species can be shared to enhance biodiversity and landscape resilience across the network. Additionally, our work in fire prevention, community engagement, and our research & learnings can be shared and provide valuable for capacity building and possibly replicating rewilding efforts throughout Europe.
Experience you would like to gain:
Being part of the European Rewilding Network would offer the Foundation a valuable opportunity to share knowledge and best practices in ecological restoration and sustainable land management. Being part of the European Rewilding Network would provide the Foundation with an enriching environment for the continuous improvement of its projects, as well as the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from an international cooperation network in ecological conservation and restoration.
Country
Spain
Start year
2022
Size (ha)
100000
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Marine: coastal, Mediterranean vegetation, Mountainous, River, Wetlands
Natural process
Flooding, Natural grazing, Predation, River dynamics
Flagship species
Bear, Beaver, Lynx, Otter, Vulture, Wolf
Daniel Riera
Josep Izart
Foundation Pioneers of our Time (est. 2022) is dedicated to establishing a new regenerative operating system for humanity. Based in the Muga Valley in the Spanish Pyrenees, we operate on 100.000 hectares, including a living lab of 10.000 hectares. We are not just pioneers; we are a living demonstration case, showcasing innovative solutions that can be replicated across the thousands of similar valleys in the EU.
We embrace a holistic, systems-thinking approach, collaborating closely with the local ecosystem and stakeholders to drive meaningful change. We operate as a facilitator and catalyzer to implement our vision in the bioregion. Our work is structured around five core content areas: Resilient Landscapes, Regenerative Economics & Finance, Shared Governance & Community, Research & Innovation, and Learning & Knowledge.
Country
Spain
Start year
2022
Size (ha)
100000
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Marine: coastal, Mediterranean vegetation, Mountainous, River, Wetlands
Natural process
Flooding, Natural grazing, Predation, River dynamics
Flagship species
Bear, Beaver, Lynx, Otter, Vulture, Wolf
Specification
Project:
Pioneers of our Time
Region:
Muga Valley, Catalunya
Description
Type of project:
Creating space for wilder nature, Fostering the development of nature based economies, Increasing interest in the wild through communications, Magnification of rewilding impact and practices, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision:
The Pioneers Of Our Time is a network of change makers that devote their life energy, wealth and talents as a force for good. The Pioneers aim to live their full potential and celebrate life! It has never been more urgent to create new societal and economic models. Now is the time to restore the self healing capacity of our planet’s ecosystems, to tackle spiritual emptiness and deeply connect to nature and each other. Now is the time for our talent and wealth to drive positive change and to ensure all life on planet earth thrives.
We embrace a holistic, systems-thinking approach, collaborating closely with the local ecosystem and stakeholders to drive meaningful change. We operate as a facilitator and catalyser to implement our vision in the bioregion.
Uniqueness of the project:
What makes the work of the Foundation Pioneers of Our Time unique is its holistic, systems-thinking approach that integrates environmental, economic, and social regeneration within a single framework, within a forested, watershed context. Moreover we take a multigenerational (7 generations) landscape perspective, where we co-create and collaborate with all relevant local stakeholders and pioneer working in public private partnerships.
Other activities:
Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, High-impact communications
Achievements
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
Significant reduction of wildfire risk: Through the implementation of a comprehensive wildfire prevention plan covering the entire Cuenca de la Muga area, the goal is to substantially reduce both the frequency and severity of wildfires. This will be achieved through strategic management of fuel loads, combined with effective landscape control practices, such as the use of livestock in extensive systems and forestry work. These actions will help mitigate risks, reduce the spread of fires, and minimize potential damage to ecosystems and surrounding communities.
Results so far:
Resilient landscapes:
- Managing 17 hectares of forest regeneration and prepared management plans for 2,200 hectares, fire prevention and natural protected areas on 40,000 hectares, and biodiversity work on 18 hectares.
- Managing 23 km of river ecology with local partners and catalyzing unprecedented collaboration among local stakeholders (our neighbors).
- Co-creating a fire prevention plan for 40,000 hectares, integrating public-private partnerships and innovative practices.
- Successful restoration of vulture populations after 60-80 years, including nesting of Griffon, Bearded, and Egyptian vultures for the first time in a century.
- Working on the reintroduction of rabbits, otters, eagles and tortoises (in various stages) and started exploration of reintroduction of wild grazers.
Regenerative Economics & Finance:
- Developed a place-based climate credit pilot on 58 hectares, aimed at carbon sequestration, water generation, and biodiversity improvement. Plan to expand to 3,000 hectares.
- Laying the foundation for regenerative business models through a multidimensional land-use approach for sustainable economic activities. Already up and running are eco-tourisme (incl. vulture watching) and biochar production. Exploration of cork and herb production.
Shared Governance & Community:
- Fostered collaboration with local stakeholders through the development of a Muga Valley Partnership (MVP).
- Engaged the community through events such as the Fox Trail Run and the Muga Valley Festival, with the aim of building a sense of belonging and supporting environmental protection.
Research & Innovation:
- Established partnerships with academic institutions and international organizations for developing research hubs and innovation in resilient landscapes.
- Launched an impact measurement framework for carbon sequestration and water generation, in collaboration with expert partners.
Learning & Knowledge:
- FPOOT positions itself as a replicable demonstration case, sharing learnings with other regions.
- Offering educational content and capacity-building in areas like water management and forest restoration.
- Managing 17 hectares of forest regeneration and prepared management plans for 2,200 hectares, fire prevention and natural protected areas on 40,000 hectares, and biodiversity work on 18 hectares.
- Managing 23 km of river ecology with local partners and catalyzing unprecedented collaboration among local stakeholders (our neighbors).
- Co-creating a fire prevention plan for 40,000 hectares, integrating public-private partnerships and innovative practices.
- Successful restoration of vulture populations after 60-80 years, including nesting of Griffon, Bearded, and Egyptian vultures for the first time in a century.
- Working on the reintroduction of rabbits, otters, eagles and tortoises (in various stages) and started exploration of reintroduction of wild grazers.
Regenerative Economics & Finance:
- Developed a place-based climate credit pilot on 58 hectares, aimed at carbon sequestration, water generation, and biodiversity improvement. Plan to expand to 3,000 hectares.
- Laying the foundation for regenerative business models through a multidimensional land-use approach for sustainable economic activities. Already up and running are eco-tourisme (incl. vulture watching) and biochar production. Exploration of cork and herb production.
Shared Governance & Community:
- Fostered collaboration with local stakeholders through the development of a Muga Valley Partnership (MVP).
- Engaged the community through events such as the Fox Trail Run and the Muga Valley Festival, with the aim of building a sense of belonging and supporting environmental protection.
Research & Innovation:
- Established partnerships with academic institutions and international organizations for developing research hubs and innovation in resilient landscapes.
- Launched an impact measurement framework for carbon sequestration and water generation, in collaboration with expert partners.
Learning & Knowledge:
- FPOOT positions itself as a replicable demonstration case, sharing learnings with other regions.
- Offering educational content and capacity-building in areas like water management and forest restoration.
Exchange
Inspirational value:
The Foundation has accumulated valuable learnings through its projects, highlighting the power of collaboration and commitment to nature. These projects have provided a deep understanding of the interactions between ecosystems, wildlife, and human communities. Ecological restoration requires an integrated approach that balances human needs with natural processes. Additionally, the importance of partnerships with landowners and local governments has been recognized for generating a lasting impact. The creation of testing and collaboration spaces with key stakeholders is essential for implementing innovative and adaptive solutions. In summary, joint work, a shared vision, and sustainability are key to restoring ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and building resilient communities.
Experience you would like to share:
We can offer access to our large-scale living lab, where innovative practices are tested and applied. Our expertise in developing public-private partnerships/ structures, and successfully reintroducing keystone species can be shared to enhance biodiversity and landscape resilience across the network. Additionally, our work in fire prevention, community engagement, and our research & learnings can be shared and provide valuable for capacity building and possibly replicating rewilding efforts throughout Europe.
Experience you would like to gain:
Being part of the European Rewilding Network would offer the Foundation a valuable opportunity to share knowledge and best practices in ecological restoration and sustainable land management. Being part of the European Rewilding Network would provide the Foundation with an enriching environment for the continuous improvement of its projects, as well as the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from an international cooperation network in ecological conservation and restoration.