Rewilding Europe was formally established on 28 June 2011 as an independent, non-for-profit foundation (ANBI status) registered in the Netherlands. As an independent organisation, Rewilding Europe has established itself as a pan-European initiative, operating at the frontline of rewilding at a European scale.  They work together with numerous partners, both at a European, national and local level.

Mission, Vision and Goals of Rewilding Europe

“Rewilding Europe want to demonstrate the benefits of wilder nature through the rewilding of diverse European landscapes, and to inspire and enable others to engage in rewilding by providing tools and practical expertise.

Wild nature is valued and treated as an essential element of a prosperous and healthy society, with far more space provided for wildlife and natural processes.

Rewilding is being practiced at scale across Europe. The application of rewilding principles, models and tools is delivering measurable, demonstrable, and sustained benefits for nature and people. With many actors we create a Europe that is richer in nature and more resilient to climate change.

The rewilding process in Europe has achieved some momentum. As it takes this new conservation movement forward across the continent, Rewilding Europe will continue to act as a pioneer and frontrunner. By the end of 2022, Rewilding Europe is working in ten large rewilding landscapes across Europe.”

You can read more about Rewilding Europe’s Principles here.

For an inspiring story of rewilding you can listen to George Monbiot’s TED talk on rewilding:

In this talk George Monbiot describes how wolves were once native to the US’ Yellowstone National Park – until hunting wiped them out. But when, in 1995, the wolves began to come back (thanks to a twenty year reintroduction program), something interesting happened: the rest of the park began to find a new, more healthful balance. In a bold thought experiment, George Monbiot imagines a wilder world in which humans work to restore the complex, lost natural food chains that once surrounded us.

Restoring China’s Loess Plateau

This article was written by James O’Donovan in 2018 and has now been updated. (Via WWF: Source: Liu, 2012; Liu & Bradley, 2016).

“The Paradigm Shift that Leads to Survival and Sustainability”

In this talk John D. Liu underlines the importance of life, nature, and the earth in relation to humans. Through his camera lens, he documented desertified landscapes that years later, through eco-system restoration, turn into green oases and fertile agricultural areas. Liu’s talk details our relation to nature and motivates us to work towards a greener planet.