The Wild Europe Field Programme - A Field Programme for creating European Wilderness

As more and more Europeans move to urban areas, large parts of rural Europe are currently being abandoned. The ongoing depopulation of entire regions creates an important opportunity to realise a more positive vision for large-scale natural areas. It offers unique chances to start developing complete ecosystems on the foundation of new rural economies, where nature itself is the driving force. More and more governments, private companies and conservation organisations are becoming aware of this opportunity.

The European Parliament agreed on an important resolution for the development of European Wilderness in December 2008. As host country for the Presidency of the EU, the Czech Republic has organised a Wilderness Conference in Prague in May 2009. The Wild Europe Initiative is a direct and pro-active response to this.

WWF, ARK, FREE Nature and Eurosite are exploring ways to facilitate and support the development of Wilderness areas in Europe. Local organisations will have the lead and full ownership, so that a bottom-up approach is ensured.

In terms of European Wilderness, most Europeans have a limited concept having been raised with existing agricultural systems or wide-spread but closed forests. Communication will therefore play a key role in the entire programme.

You can download the programme brochure below.

The launch of The Wild Europe Field Programme (WEFP) took place in Brussels from 10.00 - 13.00 hrs on 18 November 2010 (download the invitation below)

A Wild Europe Conference took place in Brussels on 16 and 17 November 2010 (by invitation only)

- REWILDING EUROPE -

Rewilding Europe is bringing back the variety of life to Europe's abandoned lands. Fresh ideas and new livelihoods based on a common heritage. Rewilding Europa aims at rewilding one million hectares of Europe by 2020. The programme will initiate 10 areas, each of at least 100,000 hectares, reflecting the majority of European ecosystems, flora and fauna. The ten areas will serve as the front-runners for a large scale shift in land use across Europe towards wilderness-based economies. Millions of people will be offered the opportunity of enjoying a Wild Europe.

Founding partners: WWF Netherlands - ARK Nature - Wild Wonders of Europe

Pan-European partners: Wild Europe Initiative - PANParks - ECNC - Large Herbivore Network

Implementation partners: Eurosite - FREE Nature

More information: http://rewildingeurope.com/

Wild Wonders of Europe newsletter January 2011:

http://www.wild-wonders.com/newsletters/2011_01_28_newsletter.htm