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.
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, Research
Results so far:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Inspirational value:
We actively collaborate and co-create with local stakeholders and our neighbors to drive impactful change. Our partnerships span across all key areas as mentioned previously. We proudly work with organizations like Xarxa Conservació de Natura, CREAF, Selvans, Sinia, and Bosques de Montaña. Additionally, we have established partnerships with 36 municipalities, focusing on river and forest management as well as fire prevention. Our collaborations extend to esteemed academic institutions, including the universities of Barcelona and Girona, the school of landscape architecture, ICRA, CPF, CTFC, ICTA and many others. Plus we work with umbrella organizations like Consell Comarcal, Salines-Bassegoda, and the association representing all campsites in Catalunya.
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:
We hope to benefit from access to a broader community of rewilding practitioners, enabling knowledge exchange and collaboration on best practices. The network could provide valuable insights into large-scale policy advocacy, innovative funding and partnership opportunities, and the latest scientific research on ecosystem restoration. Additionally it could help us scale our impact and adapt successful models from other regions.
Country
Spain
Start year
2022
Size (ha)
100000
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, River
Natural process
Natural grazing, River dynamics
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.
Country
Spain
Start year
2022
Size (ha)
100000
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, River
Natural process
Natural grazing, River dynamics
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, Research
Achievements
Results so far:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Exchange
Inspirational value:
We actively collaborate and co-create with local stakeholders and our neighbors to drive impactful change. Our partnerships span across all key areas as mentioned previously. We proudly work with organizations like Xarxa Conservació de Natura, CREAF, Selvans, Sinia, and Bosques de Montaña. Additionally, we have established partnerships with 36 municipalities, focusing on river and forest management as well as fire prevention. Our collaborations extend to esteemed academic institutions, including the universities of Barcelona and Girona, the school of landscape architecture, ICRA, CPF, CTFC, ICTA and many others. Plus we work with umbrella organizations like Consell Comarcal, Salines-Bassegoda, and the association representing all campsites in Catalunya.
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:
We hope to benefit from access to a broader community of rewilding practitioners, enabling knowledge exchange and collaboration on best practices. The network could provide valuable insights into large-scale policy advocacy, innovative funding and partnership opportunities, and the latest scientific research on ecosystem restoration. Additionally it could help us scale our impact and adapt successful models from other regions.