In the Ukrainian part of the Danube Delta, rewilding efforts have reconnected the life-giving waters of the River Danube with Lake Kartal. The lake’s rapid comeback — and the growing benefits this is delivering to nature and local communities — shows how powerful wetland restoration can be.
People’s wellbeing is inextricably linked to the ecological health of the land where they live. In the heart of the Scottish Highlands, a progressive rewilding initiative is delivering diverse benefits for nature and local communities.
The UN Decade on Ecological Restoration aims to catalyse nature recovery efforts around the world. Two of Rewilding Europe’s rewilding landscapes are playing a supporting role through their involvement in restoration “flagship” initiatives.
Both Rewilding Europe and the rewilding movement have come a long way since 2011. With Rewilding Europe’s tenth anniversary celebrations kicking off on June 29, now is the time to reflect on progress and look to the future.
From European bison in the Southern Carpathians and red deer in the Rhodope Mountains to Konik horses in the Danube Delta and Tauros in the Velebit Mountains, Rewilding Europe is reintroducing wildlife species in many of its operational areas. These reintroductions are carried out after careful evaluation and always follow established scientific guidelines. Deli Saavedra, Rewilding Europe’s Rewilding Area Coordinator, has been involved with many reintroduction programmes. He explains more.
The European Rewilding Network’s “Rewilding Intro” saw Dominic Buscall introduce the Wild Ken Hill initiative in the UK. The overall aim of these mini-webinars is to promote further exchange between network members and thereby enhance rewilding outcomes.
Growing rapidly since it was founded in 2013, the European Rewilding Network has played an important role in the development of Europe’s rewilding movement. Updated admission criteria for members will shift the focus from network expansion to support for practical, result-oriented rewilding.
Rewilding Europe is creating space for natural processes like forest regeneration, free flowing rivers, herbivory and carnivory to impact ecosystems. Across the continent, the interaction of these processes leads to constantly evolving landscapes rather than fixed habitats. A forest today can be a grassland over time, and vice versa. Understanding this dynamic is the key to preserving Europe’s rich biodiversity.