Master’s student Julia Rouet-Leduc travelled to the Lapland rewilding area in April to conduct research for her thesis. She drew some interesting conclusions.

Swedish Lapland’s rich natural resources can form the basis for a vibrant and sustainable local economy.

In September, Rewilding Europe released its first promotional film about creating a wilder Europe. Canon France sponsored this film produced by Emmanuel Rondeau, a French cinematographer and film producer from White Fox Pictures. Emmanuel used the new CANON EOS-1D X Mark II camera to show its various features and the innovative filming technology. The promotional film has been seen by many people all across the world, and was received very well. Emmanuel also produced a short film that takes you behind the scene where Emmanuel gives his feedback on Canon’s new flagship DSLR.

This October, the 12^th web-based seminar of the European Rewilding Network took place through our online platform. Members from various European countries gathered to discuss and exchange knowledge about the restoration of river systems and how to involve communities. Two successful showcases were presented (Sweden and Finland) and participants learned what it takes to bring change for nature and local wildlife, as well as for its people.

Faced with economic and environmental pressures, the Sami people of Swedish Lapland are abandoning their traditional way of life. By developing partnerships that unite nature, culture and business, Rewilding Lapland is now working to offer them a more sustainable future.

On May 26, Swedish Marie-Claire Cronstedts Foundation announced its support for rewilding of Lapland’s rivers by presenting a grant to Rewilding Lapland Foundation. The funding will complement already approved funding by the Swedish Postcode Foundation for the restoration of fish spawning areas at Trollforsen, Pite River, and boost field activities in Lapland.

Today, Rewilding Lapland and the Swedish Ecotourism Society signed a partnership agreement in support of the conservation and restoration of the natural and cultural heritage of Lapland. The creation of sustainable nature-based economic activities is at the heart of the agreement aiming to, through tourism, foster finances in support of both nature and local people.

In January this year Rewilding Lapland, the local partner of Rewilding Europe in Sweden, signed cooperation agreements with two community based river organizations to work together to rewild large parts of the stunning and largely free-roaming Råne and Pite rivers. The first activities will start in early spring this year. A unique initiative to help recover some of the last wild salmon populations of continental Europe.