Across Europe, community leaders such as mayors play an important role in supporting nature’s recovery by helping people and wildlife share space. The new guidance, launched in a well-attended webinar, will provide these leaders with the knowledge and solutions to enhance coexistence and realize the benefits of wildlife reintroduction.
Community-led coexistence is on the rise
Across Europe, many wildlife species are making a remarkable resurgence, from bears and bison to wolves, eagles and beavers. However, many Europeans have largely forgotten how to live with wildlife, making their return often a practical and socially difficult task. Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative, grassroots approach that allows people to share their opinions and experiences and co-design plans and actions that work at an everyday level.
As communities adapt to the new presence of wildlife, there is growing momentum around practical, locally driven approaches to coexistence that strengthen social cohesion, turn challenges into opportunities, and enable people and wildlife to thrive together. Building on this progress, we can amplify the return of wildlife and the benefits it brings to nature, climate and society. That’s why Rewilding Europe is working to advance human-wildlife coexistence across all regions and beyond. In other words, we are shifting the standard from tolerance to shared prosperity.
New coexistence guidelines: Empowering local leaders
An important milestone has been achieved with the launch of . ““Living Well with Wildlife: A Practical Guide” – developed by Rewilding Europe and the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme. Packed with practical insights and inspiring case studies, this guide provides practical tools to help municipalities, local authorities and rewilding practitioners plan and implement coexistence strategies in partnership with local communities. The launch of this guide marks the readiness of people across Europe to share space with wildlife, including wolves, bears, beavers and other species in abundance and abundance. The scope is increasing.
View instructions
“Strong local leadership is essential to building a positive future for Europe’s people and wildlife,” says Amy Duthie, head of upscaling at Rewilding Europe. “With countries across Europe currently drawing up national nature restoration plans, now is an opportune time to recognize and support local leaders for their essential role in enabling nature’s recovery. If you are passionate about human-wildlife coexistence and willing to lead your community through this transition, we encourage you to read this guidance.”
“It’s really exciting to see wildlife returning in many of the areas the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes program supports across Europe,” says Dr Nancy Ockendon, scientific manager for the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme. “It’s important that communities experiencing these changes receive support early on to help them minimize risks and make the most of new opportunities. This toolkit provides practical guidance that will empower communities to do this, while strengthening their pride in the amazing wildlife they live with.”
Increase promotional effectiveness with webinar launch
The new coexistence guidelines were introduced in an online webinar on 5 February, attended by more than 680 people from more than 70 countries. The high turnout highlighted how deeply the issue of human-wildlife coexistence resonates globally, with people from a variety of backgrounds participating, including representatives of national parks and local governments, policy makers, veterinarians, farmers and communicators. Currently, over 120 people have registered to access Rewilding Europe’s guidance for schools of rewilding, and this number continues to grow every day.
Webinar participants heard from a diverse group of speakers who are helping to shape the Guidelines or putting their principles into practice. Amy Duthie provided guidance, while European Markets co-founder Svetlana Tesic discussed the role of markets in driving social change. Rewilding Apennines team leader Mario Cipollone shared his method. “Bear-Smart Community“ We are improving coexistence in the Apennine region of central Italy. Francesco Romito, Vice President of Io non ho paura del lupo, spoke about the return of wolves in Italy, while Miroslav Kutal, Scientific Advisor of the Large Carnivore Conservation Program, said: The Czech Republic emphasized the role of citizen science in building coexistence.
Bruno Damisis
A collective step towards a tougher Europe
Every region in Europe has its own unique experiences with wildlife and presents unique challenges and opportunities related to nature restoration. Despite these differences, common actions can be taken everywhere to address concerns, prevent harm, and create conditions for people and wildlife to thrive together. The new guidance provides a practical, step-by-step process for developing coexistence actions suited to local contexts, from Portugal and Spain to Romania and Scotland.
Rewilding is more than simply restoring landscapes; it is about rebuilding relationships between people, wildlife, and place. Local leaders play a critical role in reconnecting people with nature and reshaping their environments. When humans and wildlife share space, it creates not only ecological balance but also hope, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Rooted in the belief that Europe can become tougher and wiser, the new guidance provides leaders across the continent with the tools and inspiration to navigate complex realities and realize the shared benefits of coexistence. In doing so, we invite ourselves to see species like beavers, bison, wolves, and bears as essential allies in shaping wilder, healthier, and more prosperous landscapes.
