Two inspiring rewilding initiatives based in Poland and Slovakia have joined Rewilding Europe’s European Rewilding Network. Their addition will strengthen the network in Central Europe and create new opportunities to scale up natural recovery through collaboration, shared learning and practical action.
Peter Fodor
central european expansion
Rewilding Europe’s European Rewilding Network continues to grow with the addition of two new members: Forever Forest Foundation in Poland, led by conservation association BROZ, and Rewilding Rivers and Danube Floodplains in Slovakia.
Their addition marks an important milestone for the network’s expansion in Central Europe, where the rewilding movement is gaining momentum through stronger collaboration, evolving policies and European funding. The Slovak Initiative is the first member from Slovakia, while Forever Forest is the fourth member from Poland. Together they broaden the network’s geographical reach and strengthen the community of organizations working to make Europe wilder.
By joining the network, both initiatives will benefit from access to a wealth of real-world experience, knowledge and expertise from fellow members across the continent. In turn, they will contribute their insights to help accelerate rewilding through collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Forever Forest Foundation
Benita Nagy
Forest and river restoration
Although the circumstances are different, both plans share a commitment to revitalizing natural processes and creating healthier, more resilient ecosystems.
Operating across Poland, the Forever Forest Foundation is working towards an ambitious vision of establishing at least one permanently protected forest in every county by 2035. By creating diverse native forests, permanently protecting mature forests from commercial logging, and restoring degraded forest plantations, we are helping forests restore their natural richness and resilience. Since its launch in 2019, the foundation has protected or restored nearly 300 hectares of biodiverse forests, while pioneering a legal approach to strengthen the long-term protection of private forests across the country.
Meanwhile, BROZ has spent nearly 30 years restoring the dynamic floodplain landscape of the Danube River in southwestern Slovakia. This work has restored approximately 1,200 hectares of wetlands, revitalized over 30km of guttering channels and restored 1,500 hectares of grazing land. By reconnecting rivers and floodplains and restoring wetlands, forests and grasslands, the plan is helping wildlife recover and delivering broader benefits such as healthier ecosystems, improved water management and greater climate resilience.
learn from each other
Education, partnerships and community engagement are at the core of both initiatives. Forever Forest Foundation works closely with businesses, researchers, volunteers and local communities to build long-term support for forest restoration, while BROZ works with schools, universities, volunteers, land managers and public authorities to promote natural recovery across Slovakia.
“Nature has no borders and should not be protected,” says Jacek Wojtowicz, forester at the Forever Forest Foundation. “As we work to create healing ‘biodiversity islands’ for Poland’s landscapes, joining the European Rewilding Network will enable us to exchange ‘forest wisdom’ with Europe’s leading experts. This new partnership will be a bridge connecting our region’s forests to the grand vision of a wilder, more resilient Europe.”
“We are proud to be part of the European Rewilding Network, a network that closely aligns with our work, goals and values,” said Tomas Kusik, BROZ President. “We are delighted to link more than 20 years of practical conservation work in Slovakia with the continental movement. We hope that our connection to the network will amplify our efforts to realize a more natural and resilient Europe.”
Together we are stronger
As members of the European Rewilding Network, both initiatives will have the opportunity to learn from fellow practitioners who are tackling similar challenges across Europe. The Yeonghwa Forest Foundation seeks to strengthen projects such as natural forest regeneration, biodiversity monitoring, and nature-based finance, while sharing its experience in permanently protecting privately owned forests and participating in restoration projects. BROZ brings over 20 years of practical conservation experience in Slovakia, while exchanging expertise in river restoration, wetland revitalization, natural grazing and cooperation with local communities.
Every new member strengthens our network by bringing fresh ideas, practical knowledge and local experience. As rewilding accelerates across Europe, collaboration between initiatives will play an increasingly important role in scaling nature recovery and building a continent where people and wildlife can thrive together.
The addition of these adjacent initiatives highlights the growing momentum for rewilding in Central Europe and strengthens the role of the European Rewilding Network as a community where practitioners can learn from each other, overcome shared challenges and help turn ambitious rewilding visions into reality.
Brothers
Let’s reenact together
Rewilding Europe warmly welcomes all European rewilding initiatives focused on practical, result-oriented rewilding initiatives and encourages them to apply for membership in the European Rewilding Network.
