We want to make Europe a wilder place, with more space for wild nature, wildlife and natural processes. In bringing back the variety of life, we will continue to explore new ways for people to enjoy and earn a fair living from the wild.
Wild nature is recognised as a fundamental part of Europe’s heritage and an essential element in a modern, prosperous and healthy society.
To create large, rewilded landscapes in at least 15 different regions across Europe. These will demonstrate how Rewilding Europe’s vision can be put into practice on a far larger scale.
Rewilding Europe operates a number of interconnected initiatives to help make Europe a wilder place:
Rewilding Europe was formally established on 28 June 2011 as an independent, non-for-profit foundation (ANBI status) registered in the Netherlands. The four co-founders of Rewilding Europe are Frans Schepers, Staffan Widstrand, Neil Birnie and Wouter Helmer. Rewilding Europe currently incorporates two limited liability companies, the Rewilding European Capital B.V. and the Rewilding Europe B.V..
As an independent organisation, Rewilding Europe has established itself as a pan-European initiative, operating at the frontline of rewilding at a European scale. We work together with numerous partners, both at a European, national and local level. A Supervisory Board, with now five members from five different countries, was established in September 2012. The Rewilding Europe Circle, an assembly of ambassadors and advisors, was established in 2015.
After more than 12 years of committed work, Rewilding Europe is now well underway and has made considerable progress, as can be seen in our Annual Reviews and regular reports. The rewilding process in Europe has achieved significant momentum. As it takes this new conservation movement forward across the continent, Rewilding Europe will continue to act as a pioneer and frontrunner.
By mid 2023, Rewilding Europe is working in ten large rewilding areas across Europe, with staff- and board members, ambassadors and volunteers from more than 18 different countries. Our lean-and-mean central team currently represents 8 lead positions with some 23 staff in total. Rewilding Europe is based in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Read more about Rewilding Europe in the public disclosures on our website.