A pioneering loan from Rewilding Europe Capital has enabled one of a series of dams on the Stångån River in central Sweden to be removed. The removal represents an important step towards realising the free flow of water in the river, benefitting a range of fish and other wildlife species.

Supported by funding from the Open Rivers Programme, the Rewilding Apennines team have overseen the removal of five barriers on the Giovenco River. This is a critical step forward in restoring the natural dynamics of the river system, breathing new life into the landscape and delivering benefits to local communities.

A grant from the Open Rivers Programme has enabled the removal of a number of small dams in the catchment of the Vindel River, in the Swedish Lapland rewilding landscape. By enabling the free flow of water, this will help to revitalise waterscapes and the wildlife populations they support.

In the Oder Delta, which is shared between Germany and Poland, many rivers have been negatively impacted by human intervention. Recent river restoration work carried out by the local rewilding team and partners on the Polish side is reinvigorating two tributaries of the Ina River, with benefits for nature and people.

Rivers are the lifeblood of Swedish Lapland. We caught up with Henrik Persson, Rewilding Sweden team leader, to discuss how rewilding is restoring these vital waterways – and their catchments – to health.