The Rewilding Apennines team and local partners are working to ensure that Marsican brown bears and communities can thrive together in Italy’s Central Apennine mountains. This year, an educational programme and a popular festival brought together residents of all ages to strengthen the vital connection between people and the wildlife on their doorstep.

Over the past six years, multi-partner rewilding efforts have supported the recovery of endangered Dalmatian pelican populations across southeastern Europe. Coordinated by Rewilding Europe and supported by the European Commission, the “Pelican Way of LIFE” initiative has secured a brighter future for this majestic bird and emphasised the importance of wetland restoration.

Italian and Greek partners in the LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors initiative recently visited Canada to learn about Bear Smart Communities in British Columbia. The insights acquired and collaborative ethos developed will enhance rewilding efforts.

Having left the Rhodope Mountains rewilding area in 2019, a pair of griffon vultures tagged with GPS transmitters have now journeyed as far as Saudi Arabia. The data from their wanderings will help conserve this locally endangered species.

Rewilding Portugal has entered into an exciting new collaboration with Symington Family Estates – a family-owned, Portuguese wine and port-producing business. The partnership will enhance rewilding and nature-based business in northern Portugal’s Greater Côa Valley.

Coordinated by Rewilding Europe, the “Pelican Way of LIFE” project formally kicked off in Bucharest on November 20. Its pan-European, multi-partner efforts will hopefully boost populations of this important and iconic bird.

Exciting times for rewilding in Western Iberia, with a new five-year initiative combining two, complementary project funds – “LIFEWolFlux” and “Scaling Up Rewilding in Western Iberia” – starting at the beginning of this year.

The three-year, pan-European project will evaluate the benefits of various land management models involving domesticated and wild/semi-wild herbivores. It will hopefully lead to more supportive EU policy and legislation.

A visually stunning new exhibition, showcasing the natural wonders of the Eastern Rhodopes, is wowing visitors by making the Bulgarian capital Sofia a wilder place. Titled “Lords of the Rhodopean Skies”, it features 32 images depicting some of the most astonishing natural sights of the Rhodope Mountains rewilding area.