Achievements & Objectives 2021/22 – 2022/23

Wild Europe with its partners has a rolling programme. Many activities and objectives are not promoted on our website, so if you are interested in receiving more information on any particular topic, please contact: info@wildeurope.org

Achievements 2021/22

1. Support for key outcomes from EU Biodiversity Strategy (May 2020):

Representation for the definition of strict protection default to be complete non-intervention, with exceptions where necessary for managed habitats (secondary: grasslands, heathlands) adopted by EC and others, and echoed in IUCN Resolution 127 (below)
Promotion of strict protection for the 3% remaining primary/old growth forest to be extended to 15% of EU forest cover – for maximum ecological function, consolidation, adequate buffering and connectivity of remnants (c of 6% total EU area)
Ongoing multi-target representation: EC Working Group, EC, EP, Council of Ministers, institutions
Inputs to update 2015 EC Guidelines on Forest (Management) and Natura 2000
Representation to Nature Restoration Law consultation

2. Ongoing promotion of key objectives in EU Forest Strategy

IUCN Resolution 127 at Marseilles conference in October 2021, calling for improved support for protection and restoration of old growth forest in Europe, including complete cessation of logging, voted by 674 members of whom 93 Category A (including governments), based on Wild Europe’s 2018 OGF Protection Strategy
Coordination of collection of case studies for EC on non-intervention management in N2000 forests
Usage of Wild Europe manual for definitions, targets and management principles – included in European Forest Institute reference compendium for scientific literature
Contribution to EC Joint Research Centre (JRC) OGF mapping project
Promotion of LEAF initiative for forest protection and restoration
Representations to consultations on EU Forest Strategy, Forest Monitoring & Strategic Planning
Promotion of outcomes from international primary forest webinar co-hosted with Wild Heritage over 2 days in March 2021, with participation by MEPs and international experts
Input as member of IUCN WCPA core team on primary forest policy implementation

2a Stage III of Griffiths international primary forest programme.

Final stage of the 320,000 euro contract handed by Wild Europe to Frankfurt Zoological Society, working on the following projects:
Ongoing promotion for adoption of Francesco Sabatini’s OGF mapping methodology for wider EU Biodiversity Strategy
Further development of forest carbon model
Preparation of a dedicated forest website for overseeing implementation of the forest related protection and restoration from the EU Biodiversity and Forest Strategies
Community enterprise – retail established, tourism planned
Forest Summer School model programme initiated

2b Forest bioenergy strategy implementation:

Completion of RECCS (Renewable Energy and Climate Change Strategy) project proposal with proposals for reallocation of subsidies for commercial scale forest bioenergy to climate and biodiversity friendly alternatives
Further building anti-forest bioenergy, pro RECCS alliance
Promoting closer linkage of forest bioenergy and fossil fuel campaign networks, under the banner End Carbon Fuels, organizing webinars in November 2021 (co-hosted with Europe Beyond Coal with c 40 NGOs) and May 2022 involving key MEPS, scientists from EASAC and other institutions and a range of NGO specialists.
Exchange of good practice on representations to investor interests. Liaison with finance specialist fossil fuel campaign organisations
Representations to consultations on Zero emissions, LULUCF, carbon farming and biomass finances

3. Large natural ecosystem (wilderness) area programme

Further promotion of Action Plan with its 10% wilderness target in Europe: 5% with all wilderness criteria, 5% wilderness characteristics but with relaxed scale requirement, natural process principles promoted for associated 20% EU target – with linkage to mapping exercise and EU objectives in Biodiversity Strategy
Development of an EU Horizon bid for largescale natural ecosystem restoration – involving formation of an international research network of universities and institutes
Inputs through our trusteeship of Fundatia Conservation Carpathia (FCC Romania), which has now secured protection in perpetuity for 27,000 hectares of forests and other habitats, and hunting-free conservation for 93,000 hectares
Ongoing promotion of Clima Carpathia initiative for Carpathian Mountains
Bialowieza Forest – discussion with Polish NGOs of our concept plan for significant enlargement of the core area into the UNESCO World Heritage site, first suggested in 2014 and based on community wild nature enterprise and extensive restoration

4. Development of national strategies for wilderness

Further promotion of a wild area definition in Europe
Iceland – input to launch of mapping strategy with Wildland Research Institute, introduced by Environment Minister, as basis for wilderness identification and protection strategy, based on Wild Europe definition criteria
Inputs to the England National Tree Strategy, UK National Parks rewilding initiative, and Nature Based Enterprise report
Ireland – linkage of Coillte project (now transferred to Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service) to EU Horizon NE Atlantic funding potential. Liaison on Wild Nephin project, and liaison with Irish Wildlife Trust, including a webinar, for a broader restoration initiative
France – Presentation of rewilding strategy to 200 managers at Réserves Naturelles de France (RNF) 40^th anniversary conference. Further input to newly formed Coordination Libre Evolution network; further engagement through Wild Europe’s membership of the IUCN wilderness Groupe de Travail, particularly on funding, with further funding for a mapping exercise to identify model wild and prospective wilderness areas
Coordination of campaign to protect iconic Lake Ferto in Hungary from largescale tourism development – a model for IUCN Category 2 protection principles

5. Development of key topic/strategy agendas

Participation in COP26 in Glasgow, with inputs to multiple sessions including ‘climate smart forestry’, forest bioenergy
Participation in CBD SBSTTA meetings in Geneva on primary forest and financial instruments for avoiding deforestation (sovereign bonds)
Further promotion of the freehold/leasehold structure for long-term protection on privately owned land by model landowners, with extension now planned to further countries
Promotion of private sector incentives: reform of compensation payment agenda; full activation of Payment for Ecosystem Services agenda
Input through membership of Freshwater Specialist Group

6. Strengthening Wild Europe’s organizational capacity

Launch of Wild Europe Stichting foundation in Netherlands
Appointment of trustee Board
Establishment of office in Amsterdam
Development of direct project programme

Further information is available on all these initiatives, via info@wildeurope.org

Objectives 2022/23

This section is the initial element for 2023, and will be developed further

1a Support for key outcomes from EU Biodiversity Strategy (May 2020):

Development of Restoration Strategy, with symposium in Alicante at Society for Ecological Restoration, European Chapter (SERE) Conference to inform and initiate this
Strict protection as adopted to be applied to the 10% of EU terrestrial & marine areas, with non-intervention as its default mode – allowing exceptions where necessary for managed habitats (secondary: grasslands, heathlands)
A multi-habitat Restoration Strategy to be developed in support of the above aims
Promotion of proposals for a Restoration Law to accompany this
A mapping exercise to identify existing and new large natural ecosystem areas to be developed and promoted in support of the Restoration Strategy
Building common ground with EUSTAFOR, CEPF, European Forest Institute and European Landowners Organisation, based on: compensation reform, activation of the PES agenda, agreement on definitions and targets
Ongoing multi-target representations: to the EC Working Group on Forests and Nature, the EC, EP, Council of Ministers, and institutions on the above objectives together with general representation
A petition to be developed in support of these representations
Promotion of ecology modules in agricultural college curricula

1b Promotion of key objectives in the EU Forest Strategy

Further promotion of a multi-criteria definition structure for OGF/primary forest
Further promotion of strict protection for the 3% remaining primary/old growth forest to be extended to 15% of EU forest cover – for maximum ecological function, consolidation, adequate buffering and connectivity of remnants (c of 6% total EU area)
Input into Close To Nature (CTN) forestry, including non-tree elements & mixed habitat
Clear, full non-intervention definition of strict protection, deforestation, degradation
Reform of compensation system: levels, promotion, administration, calculation, monitoring
Promotion of LEAF initiative (Last European Ancient Forests) for forest protection and restoration through collective representation, Early Warning System, capacity building
Promotion of ecology modules in forest college curricula

1c Stage III of Griffiths programme. Further usage of the 320,000 euro contract handed by Wild Europe to Frankfurt Zoological Society which is working on the following projects:

Promote adoption of Sabatini OGF mapping methodology and definition for wider EU Biodiversity Strategy implementation at MS level
Promotion of forest carbon model, distinguishing greater OGF storage capacity of unmanaged forests
Support for community enterprise in Slovakia (Wolf Mountains initiative)
Promoting launch of Forest School and wider replication
Development of forest website concept for non-intervention best practice

1d Forest bioenergy programme

Development by consultancies of RECCS (Renewable Energy and Climate Change Strategy) project proposal for reallocation of subsidies for commercial scale forest bioenergy to climate and biodiversity friendly alternatives
Comprehensive lobbying plan for UK and EU in support of the above

Building the anti-forest bioenergy, pro RECCS alliance including liaison with consumer organisations, taxpayer associations, enterprise and investor interests
Promoting further linkage of forest bioenergy and fossil fuel campaign networks, under the banner End Carbon Fuels
Further exchange of good practice on representations to investor interests. Liaison with finance specialist fossil fuel campaign organisations,
Inputs to RED II reform, LULUCF and biomass finance consultation

2. Large natural ecosystem (wilderness) area programme

Adoption of 10% wilderness target in Europe: 5% with all criteria, 5% characteristics but with relaxed scale requirement – review of potential for enlargement/linkage of existing areas (see 1a above)
Nephin, Ireland – Coillte project: Support for a broader restoration initiative
Continued input to Clima Carpathia initiative for Carpathian Mountains
Linkage of German wilderness strategy progress to PES agenda
Proposals for high profile European model element of FCC Romania’s work
Full activation of PES agenda: including mechanism deliverer network, matching exercise
Reiteration of Wolf Mountain project objectives

3. Development of national level strategies for wilderness

Focus on 5% core area with PES support for UK
Further promotion of wild area definition in Europe
IUCN France Groupe de Travail and Coordination Libre Evolution network: promotion of strategy, Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) usage, action against Rural Law on de-wilding
Support for Czech Republic wilderness strategy

4. Development of key topic/strategy agendas

Roadless legislation: benefits and development support project
Incorporation of fore resilience into restoration strategy
Adoption of the freehold/leasehold structure for long-term protection on privately owned land by model landowners in England and Scotland, and extension to EU countries
Development of EC Wilderness Register Stage II: update and extension to non-EU countries including Emerald Network areas; link to mapping exercises
Reforms to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure
Proposal of reforms to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure
Private sector incentives: reform of compensation payment agenda; full activation of Payment for Ecosystem Services agenda

5. Strengthening Wild Europe’s organizational capacity

Adoption of funding strategy
Appointment of further personnel
Assessment of land purchase options

Achievements & Objectives 2020/22 – Summary

Achievements for 2020/21

1. Support for key outcomes from EU Biodiversity Strategy (May 2020):

Call for the default for the definition of strict protection default to be complete non-intervention, with exceptions where necessary for managed habitats (secondary: grasslands, heathlands) adopted by European Habitat Forum and others.
One of 5 conservation NGOs appointed member of EC Working Group on Forests and Nature inputting to implementation of EU Strategies. Provision of briefing documents
Input to consultation on Restoration Targets
Multi-target representation to EC, EP, Council of Ministers, institutions of 10% strict protection wilderness targets (5% wilderness with scale, 5% wilderness attributes) and objectives in Action Plan for Wilderness and old Growth /Primary Forest

2. Ongoing promotion of key objectives in EU Forest Strategy

Multi-target representations: EC Working Group, EC, EP, Council of Ministers, institutions of 15% forest cover strict protection target
Promoted multi-criteria definition structure for OGF/primary forest, based on non-intervention
Development and promotion of manual for definitions, targets and management principles – included in European Forest Institute reference compendium for scientific literature
Coordination of international primary forest webinar co-hosted with Wild Heritage over 2 days in March 2021, with participation by MEPs and international experts
Development of LEAF initiative for forest protection and restoration

2a Stage II of Griffiths international primary forest programme:

Third stage of the 320,000 euro contract handed by Wild Europe to Frankfurt Zoological Society, jointly working on the following projects:

Ongoing promotion for adoption of Francesco Sabatini’s OGF mapping methodology for wider EU Biodiversity Strategy
Development of a forest carbon model with Heather Keith and others in the Griffith programme, distinguishing greater OGF storage capacity for use in PES funding
Provision for non-extractive enterprise models in East Slovakia: retail, ecotourism

2b Forest bioenergy strategy implementation:

Initiation of RECCS (Renewable Energy and Climate Change Strategy) project proposal with proposals for reallocation of subsidies for commercial scale forest bioenergy to climate and biodiversity friendly alternatives
End Fossil Fuels collaborative project promoted between fossil fuel and forest bioenergy campaign networks
Building anti-forest bioenergy, pro RECCS alliance including liaison with consumer organisations in the UK (Consumers International), Europe (BEUC) and globally

3. Large natural ecosystem (wilderness) area programme

Development of Action Plan for Wilderness and Old Growth/Primary Forest with its 10% wilderness target in Europe: 5% with all wilderness criteria, 5% wilderness characteristics but with relaxed scale requirement, natural process principles promoted for associated 20% EU target
Promotion of new model wilderness area in Hohe Tauern NP, Austria, designed to Wild Europe definition criteria
Ireland – linkage of Coillte project (now transferred to Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service) to EU Horizon NE Atlantic funding potential.
Inputs through our trusteeship of Fundatia Conservation Carpathia (FCC Romania)
Input of strategy to Clima Carpathia initiative for Carpathian Mountains

4. Development of national level strategies for wilderness

Development of a wild area definition in Europe, now under consultation, including development of a definition structure for wild areas proposal for Rewilding Britain
France – further engagement through Wild Europe’s membership of the IUCN wilderness Groupe de Travail, with funding for a mapping exercise, identifying model wild and prospective wilderness areas
Promotion of 2019 proposal for “France Sauvage”, a new wilderness network; joined the newly formed Coordination Libre Evolution network, which adopted Wild Europe’s definition criteria
Support in Slovakia for a wilderness strategy, linked to official wilderness targets (55% and 75%) in Slovakia NPs, and usage as model for wider adoption

5. Development of key topic/strategy agendas

Proposals for reform of European Investment Bank, as soft loan providing capacity builder for large-scale climate change mitigating ecosystem conservation
Participation in production of IUCN brief on rewilding
Promotion of the Wild Europe/Clifford Chance/Lifescape freehold + leasehold structure for long-term protection on privately owned land by model landowners, with extension now planned to further countries
Private sector incentives: paper produced on reform of compensation payment agenda
CAP reform proposals promoted: involving reallocation of payments towards ecosystem service provision, modification of GAEC regulations, input of Ecological Focus Area supplements tradable at regional level, and general promotion of a stronger socio-economic agenda in coordination with land user associations

6. Strengthening Wild Europe’s organisational capacity

Launch of Wild Europe Action Plan
Participation in IUCN CEM Group on Rewilding Thematic Group, and membership of IUCN cross-commission Rewilding Working Group
Initiation of Stichting legal designation in the Netherlands

Objectives for 2021/22

1. Support for key outcomes from EU Biodiversity Strategy (May 2020):

Strict protection to be applied to the 10% of EU terrestrial & marine areas, with non-intervention as its default mode – allowing exceptions where necessary for managed habitats (secondary: grasslands, heathlands)
Strict protection for the 3% remaining primary/old growth forest to be extended to 15% of EU forest cover – for maximum ecological function, consolidation, adequate buffering and connectivity of remnants (c of 6% total EU area)
Ongoing multi-target representations: to the EC Working Group on Forests and Nature, the EC, EP, Council of Ministers, and institutions on the above objectives together with general representation

2a. Promotion of key objectives in the EU Forest Strategy

Further promotion of a multi-criteria definition structure for OGF/primary forest

Promotion of 15% forest cover strictly protected and connected (echoing promotion to Biodiversity Strategy)

Promotion of reform of compensation system: levels, promotion, administration, calculation, monitoring

Promotion of LEAF initiative (Last European Ancient Forests) for forest protection and restoration through collective representation, Early Warning System, capacity building

2b. Stage III of Griffiths programme

Further usage of the 320,000 euro contract handed by Wild Europe to Frankfurt Zoological Society which is working on the following projects:

Promote adoption of Sabatini OGF mapping methodology and definition for wider EU Biodiversity Strategy implementation at MS level
Development of a forest carbon model with Heather Keith and others in the Griffith programme,
Support for community enterprise in Slovakia (Wolf Mountains initiative)
Launch of Forest School and wider replication
Development of forest website concept for non-intervention best practice

2c. Forest bioenergy programme

Developing anti-forest bioenergy alliance, including consumer groups
Project for reallocation of subsidies to effective address of climate change
Promotion for End Fossil Fuels to become End Carbon Fuels
Inputs to RED II reform, LULUCF consultation

3. Large Wilderness Area programme

Adoption of 10% wilderness target in Europe: 5% with all criteria, 5% characteristics but with relaxed scale requirement
Bialowieza Forest – ongoing consultation and relaunch of our concept plan for significant enlargement of the core area into the UNESCO World Heritage site, first suggested in 2014 and based on community wild nature enterprise and extensive restoration
Nephin, Ireland – Coillte project: Support for a broader restoration initiative
Continued input to Clima Carpathia initiative for Carpathian Mountains
Pursuit of original targets for Wolf Mountains programme (East Slovakia, West Ukraine, South East Poland)
Full activation of PES agenda: including mechanism deliverer network, matching exercise

4. Development of national level strategies for wilderness

Wider promotion of wild area definition in Europe, now under consultation, including proposal for rewilding UK National Parks system
IUCN France – funding for a mapping exercise, identifying model wild and prospective wilderness areas, and strategy for addressing restoration opportunities
Further input to Coordination Libre Evolution network
Promotion in Slovakia of wilderness targets (55% and 75%) in Slovakia NPs, and usage as model for wider adoption

5. Development of key topic/strategy agendas

Further promotion of the freehold/leasehold structure for long-term protection on privately owned land by model landowners in England and Scotland
Promotion of EC Wilderness Register Stage II: update and extension to non-EU countries including Emerald Network areas; link to mapping exercises
Proposal of reforms to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure
Private sector incentives: reform of compensation payment agenda; full activation of Payment for Ecosystem Services agenda

6. Strengthening Wild Europe’s organizational capacity

Launch of Wild Europe Action Plan
Launch of Wild Europe Stichting foundation in Netherlands
Development of direct project programme

Further information is available on all these initiatives, via info@wildeurope.org

Wild Europe’s objectives

To promote the protection, restoration and extension and linkage of large natural ecosystems (wilderness and wild areas) in Europe, according to principles of non-intervention, with management by natural process
To develop and support initiatives for this work, in liaison with a broadly based trans-European network of organisations and individuals having similar objectives
To support a set of wilderness areas models for non-intervention, to be protected in perpetuity
To promote the multiple values of wilderness and wild areas in support of these objectives, through advocacy and other forms of representation, incentive, best practice sharing, training and general support
To encourage, on an occasional non-financial basis, initiatives that seek to uphold Europe’s positive influence in protecting wilderness areas elsewhere in the world

More information can be found on these aims in our 2020 Summary Action Plan. They arederived from the original strategy document Towards a Wilder Europe from our EC Presidency launch in 2009.

Main activities

The Foundation has five key areas of activity:

1. Advancing wilderness interests in key policy areas

Old growth/primary forest protection – promoted strategy since 2013. Our 2018 OGF Protection Strategy forms the basis for the IUCN Resolution 127 (2021) on improved protection, restoration and non-intervention

EU Biodiversity Strategy, EU Forest Strategy, EU Restoration Law: general inputs, including participation in the EC Working Group on Forests and Nature

Common Agricultural Reform: proposals for resource reallocation, input of a socio-economic support programme and establishment of consolidated Ecological Focus Areas

Environmental Impact Assessment reform proposal

Innovative funding potential: input to activation of PES (Payment for Ecosystem Services) and NBS (Natural Based Solutions) agendas

Social benefits – promotion of wider use

2. Promoting key supporting instruments for wilderness & wild areas

Promoting our practitioner’s definition as a standard framework for protection and restoration of wilderness – adopted by the EC, now used in some protected areas for 15 countries, in national strategies and new area designations

Producing a new practitioner’s definition for wild areas, used as a basis for promoting rewilding in the UK and elsewhere

Promoting phase II of the EC Wilderness Register, including new areas, connectivity and non-EU countries

Supporting a wilderness mapping concept and strategy for further potential areas in response to the EU Biodiversity Strategy targets

Seeking wider adoption of EC Guidelines on wilderness and wild area management in the Natura 2000 network, with an update including collation of best practice

Inputs to reforms of 2015 EC Guidelines for Natura 2000 & Forests

Production of a Renewable Energy and Climate Change Strategy (RECCS) as an alternative to wood bioenergy use

Promoting closer coordination between fossil fuel and forest bioenergy campaign networksfor addressing climate change

Promoting legal framework for long-term protection for private sector owners in tandem with Lifescape and Clifford Chance

3. Inputs to wild area/wilderness strategies eg

Austria – our wilderness definition adopted by Austrian National Park Association

Bulgaria – proposal of “Threefold support approach” (protection advocacy, economic assessment and enterprise implementation) for protection of Pirin NP (See 5 below)

Czech Republic – Threefold support approach” implemented for Sumava NP with wider application

England – promotion of rewilding; inputs on strategy, Payment for Ecosystem Services and national tree strategy via Rewilding Britain and other entities

France – promotion of rewilding; inputs through IUCN France Working Group and Coordination Evolution Libre network

Germany – general inputs; our definition used in NP planning strategy

Iceland – our definition and criteria used in mapping initiative for legislative implementation
Ireland – inputs to Nephin wilderness initiative

Romania – inputs via FCC initiative in Carpathia Wilderness Reserve

Scotland – promotion of rewilding; development of socio-economic benefits strategy via SNH (now NatureScot), support for our partner European Nature Trust at Alladale and elsewhere

Slovakia – support for wilderness strategy and National Park non-intervention targets

Wales – promotion of rewilding; input to beaver reintroduction project and other projects; a socio-economic community benefit approach for rewilding

4. Providing input and promotion for large model area projects, examples:

Carpathia Wilderness Reserve in the Romanian Carpathians, being developed for National Park status by Fundatia Conservation Carpathia (FCC)

Clima Carpathia – input to trans-Carpathian protection concept being developed by FCC

“Wolf Mountains” – spanning 200,000 hectare potential in East Slovakia/SE Poland/SW Ukraine with our partners Frankfurt Zoological Society

Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria – wilderness area designed around our definition and launched in 2021

Sumava/BayerischerWald National Park – promotion of a programme for protection advocacy, economic assessment and enterprise implementation

Bialowieza Forest – in Poland and Belarus, building on proposals for significant extension within Poland and trans-frontier to Belarus

5. Developing non-extractive socio-economic and enterprise approaches:

Proposals for full activation of Payment for Ecosystem Services funding potential, including closely moderated incentivized private sector support

Proposals for innovative funding: identification and access to new sources, reform of existing instruments, codes of conduct

Support for reform of protection grants: adequate levels, simple administration, clear promotion

“Threefold support approach” to protection: targeted representation, economic assessment, enterprise implementation

A long-term legal protection mechanism for land tenure in the private sector

ANEEP (Assessment of Non-Extractive Economic Potential) consultation facility for assessing and securing protected area income potential for conservation [under assessment].

Achievements & Objectives 2019/21 – Summary

Main achievements for 2019/20

1. Implementation of old growth/primary forest strategy

Wild Europe OGF/wilderness conference in Bratislava 20/21^stNovember 2019
Lobbying for total protection of old growth/primary forest in the EU
Further funding and launch of Francesco Sabatini forest mapping
Production of definition & management principles for OGF/primary forest
Support for developing carbon benefits model of OGF
Creation of IUCN motion for improved OGF protection (Daniel Vallauri) based on WEI Strategy for Protection
State agency project: best practice and set-aside represented to EUSTAFOR
Agreement on value of OGF secured from Presidents of CEPF & EUSTAFOR

2. Further support for wilderness and wild areas

Wild Europe conference in Bratislava 20/21^stNovember sets key targets
Lobbying for 10% wilderness target in EU and non-EU states
Support for FCC Romania, including 5.5 million Euro facilitated from ELP
Extended protection agreed by Czech government to Sumava NP
Substantial inputs to Clima Carpathia mega protection initiative
Support for Central European Wolf Mountains project
Finalisation of freehold/leasehold non-state landowning structure in UK to support very long-term protection & restoration of wild areas

3. Input for national strategies

Proposal for France Sauvage NGO network, including support for Macron vision of 10% haute naturalité/protection forte
Funding for mapping project to identify key wilderness areas in France
Proposals for implementation of German 2% target: PES potential
Finalisation & promotion of the definition for ‘wild areas’ in Europe
Launch of enlarged Hohe Tauern NP, Austria wilderness (Wild Europe criteria)
Rewilding Britain – through board, including input to English Tree Strategy

4. Development of key topic/strategy agendas

Membership of EC Working Party on Forests & Nature for 2020 EU Biodiversity Strategy implementation
Development of briefing materials for the Working Party
Inputs to updated 2015 EC Guidelines for Forest Management in N2000
Input to EU Biodiversity and Forest Strategies
Input to EU Restoration Strategy & targets, building on 2010 Strategy
Sound Science initiative launched for forest bioenergy campaign
Further input to 2020 CAP programme
Combatting bias in EC consultation on forest bioenergy

5. Promotion of conservation infrastructure development

Meeting facilitation and input for IUCN Rewilding Task Force
Development of proposals for European Investment Bank role
Proposals for linkage between EC N2000, Bern Convention Emerald Network and UNESCO WH and Biosphere networks

6. Strengthening Wild Europe’s organizational capacity

Stichting foundation structure (Netherlands legislature) chosen and prepared
Zoltan Kun appointed Head of Conservation, Erika Stanciu appointed Head of Policy

Objectives for 2020/21

1. Implementation of Old Growth/Primary Forest Protection Strategy

1a Support for key outcomes from EU Biodiversity Strategy:

15% of EU forest cover, 10% of EU terrestrial & marine area, strictly protected
Strict protection default to be complete non-intervention, with exceptions
Multi-target representation: EC Working Group, EC, EP, Council of Ministers, institutions
Building common ground with EUSTAFOR & CEPF through compensation reform and PES agenda

1b Promotion of key objectives in Forest Strategy

Adoption of definition structure for OGF/primary forest
Implementation of 15% forest cover strictly protected and connected
Clear, full non-intervention definition of strict protection
Reform of compensation system
Development of LEAF initiative for forest protection and restoration
International primary forest conference with Wild Heritage

1c Stage II of Griffiths programme

Further usage of the 320,000 euro contract handed by Wild Europe to Frankfurt Zoological Society which is working on the following projects:

Promote adoption of Sabatini OGF mapping methodology for wider EU Biodiversity Strategy
Development of a forest carbon model, distinguishing greater OGF storage capacity
Establishment of community enterprise in Slovakia (Wolf Mountains initiative)
Launch of Forest School and wider replication
Development of forest website for non-intervention best practice

1d Forest bioenergy project initiated:

Building anti-forest bioenergy alliance
Project for reallocation of subsidies to effective address of climate change
End Fossil Fuels to become End Carbon Fuels
Inputs to RED II reform, LULUCF consultation

2. Large Wilderness Area programme

Adoption of 10% wilderness target in Europe: 5% with all criteria, 5% characteristics but with relaxed scale requirement
Bialowieza Forest – ongoing consultation and relaunch of our concept plan for significant enlargement of the core area into the UNESCO World Heritage site, first suggested in 2014 and based on community wild nature enterprise and extensive restoration
Nephin, Ireland – Coillte project: Support for a broader restoration initiative
Continued input to Clima Carpathia initiative for Carpathian Mountains
Pursuit of original targets for Wolf Mountains programme (East Slovakia, West Ukraine, South East Poland)
Development of European Wilderness Forum, launched at 2019 Bratislava conference
Full activation of PES agenda: including mechanism deliverer network, matching exercise

3. Development of national level strategies for wilderness

Wider promotion of wild area definition in Europe, now under consultation, including proposal for rewilding UK National Parks system
IUCN France – further engagement through Wild Europe’s membership of the newly formed Coordination Libre Evolution network, with funding for a mapping exercise, identifying model wild and prospective wilderness areas, and strategy for addressing restoration opportunities
Promotion in Slovakia of wilderness targets (55% and 75%) in Slovakia NPs, and usage as model for wider adoption
Support for Czech Republic wilderness strategy

4. Development of key topic/strategy agendas

CAP reform proposals promoted, involving reallocation of payments towards ecosystem service provision, modification of GAEC regulations, input of Ecological Focus Area supplements tradable at regional level, and general promotion of a stronger socio-economic agenda in coordination with land user associations
Adoption of the freehold/leasehold structure for long-term protection on privately owned land by model landowners, and extension to EU countries
Promotion of EC Wilderness Register Stage II: update and extension to non-EU countries including Emerald Network areas; link to mapping exercises
Proposal of reforms to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure
Private sector incentives: reform of compensation payment agenda; full activation of Payment for Ecosystem Services agenda

5. Strengthening Wild Europe’s organizational capacity

Launch of Wild Europe Action Plan
Launch of Wild Europe Stichting foundation in Netherlands
Development of direct project programme
Adoption of funding strategy
Appointment of further personnel

Further information is available on all these initiatives, via info@wildeurope.org

*President Caputova opens the conference (Photo: Stefan Voicu)*

A landmark for conservation

As Slovakia’s President opens the conference, EC Director General calls for stringent new protection – and restoration – across Europe

Participants were honoured by a warm welcome from Her Excellency President Zuzana Caputova of Slovakia, who provided patronage for Wild Europe’s wilderness and old growth forest conference on 20^th and 21^st November 2019.

Welcome back to Erika Stanciu as Head of Policy

Erika in her natural habitat (source https://propark.ro/en/echipa.html)

Erika Stanciu is a longstanding member of our core team.

She rejoins Wild Europe as our Head of Policy, following a role as Secretary of State for Forests in the previous Romanian government and subsequent development of the ProParks Foundation training organisation which she founded and chairs.

Before that, she was President of the Europarc Federation and Director of Retezat National Park in Romania, among other roles.

Wild Europe Programme 2017/18

Despite the uncertainties created by Brexit, 2016/17 saw further solid progress by Wild Europe.

A key focus has been the urgent need to develop a coordinated protection strategy for remaining ancient, or old growth, forests; this iconic habitat for the wilderness agenda is coming under growing threat as Europe emerges from recession, timber prices rise and illegal logging proliferates.

We have continued our support for developing model areas and national level programmes for wildlands and wilderness, alongside a range of projects designed to promote their value.

Objectives for 2017/18 have now been published. For a strategic outline of the previous year see Achievements & Objectives in 2017/18 More detailed reports are available on request.”
Despite the uncertainties created by Brexit, 2016/17 saw further solid progress by Wild Europe.

We have continued our support for developing model areas and national level programmes for wildlands and wilderness, alongside a range of projects designed to promote their value.

Objectives for 2017/18 have now been published. For a strategic outline of the previous year see Achievements & Objectives in 2018/19 More detailed reports are available on request.

Achievements & Objectives – Summary

Main achievements for 2018/19

1. Drafting of Strategy for Old Growth Forest Protection from recommendations of 2017 Brussels Conference, involving 149 participants from 28 countries

1a. Initiation of Strategy – FZS partner programme through Griffiths global primary forest initiative

Of the 550,000 euro raised as a result of Wild Europe’s October 2017 conference on OGF protection, some 320,000 euro was provided for the European element of the primary forest project funded by Griffiths, and undertaken by Frankfurt Zoological Society which has been working on the following projects:

Updated mapping of OGF locations with Humboldt University (Berlin)
Development of a forest carbon model
Planning and establishment of community enterprise in lieu of logging in East Slovakia as part of the Wolf Mountains initiative
Wood fuel bioenergy project
Link to Griffith University (Australia) Global Primary Forest Protection network, reference international trade and policy

FZS has also now secured representation on the IUCN Primary Forest Task Force through this project

1b. Initiation of strategy for old growth forest protection – other projects

A range of other projects arising from the conference were developed in parallel:

Report developed on protection incentives for OGF in non-state owned areas
Further consultation on a standard definition structure for old growth forest
Representation of OGF and protection strategy to 50 Bern Convention member state (ministry) parties, generating positive feedback
Development of a freehold/leasehold structure for long-term protection on privately owned land
Proposals for working party and best practice collation with EUSTAFOR state forest agency association

2. Large Wilderness Area programme – Ongoing input to partners’ model wilderness and wild areas:

Sumava National Park– Czech Republic. Agreement by the Czech government to our wild nature enterprise initiative for Sumava NP, which also proposes links to BayerischerWald NP in Germany. This is thethird, non-extractive enterprise phase of our support here.
Romanian Carpathians– Fagaras Mountains. As an approved organisation with the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI), we provided introduction for Fundatia Conservation Carpathia (FCC) to CCI’s Endangered Landscape Programme, and input to its funding request. A grant of 5 million Euro subsequently gained. Also input to enterprise and education elements aiming at establishment of a model 250,000 ha National Park in the Fagaras Mountains
Bialowieza Forest– Ongoing consultation for our concept plan for significant enlargement of the core area into the UNESCO World Heritage site, first suggested in 2014 and based on community wild nature enterprise and extensive restoration
Wolf Mountains programme (East Slovakia, West Ukraine, South East Poland) – follow up on the non-extractive enterprise projects from the specification to Conservation Capital, initially provided and 50% funded by Wild Europe, with Aevis Foundation and Frankfurt Zoological Society as partners

3. National level

IUCN France– further engagement through Wild Europe’s membership of the Wilderness Group, with funding for a mapping exercise, identifying model wild and prospective wilderness areas, and strategy for addressing restoration opportunities
Rewilding Britain– ongoing support, including for the multi agency Pumlumon area initiative in central Wales which recently won 5 million Euro from the ELP. A new project has been identified for the Peak District National Park in Central England, and costed proposals put to government for large-scale natural habitat restoration to sequester carbon emissions
German government wilderness strategy– definition for Federal target at 2% of national territory reaffirms linkage to Wild Europe definition
Slovakia– correspondence with government, expressing appreciation of proposals for prospective transfer of national park management to the Environment Ministry

4. Development of key topic/strategy agendas

CAP reform proposals promoted, involving reallocation of payments towards ecosystem service provision, modification of GAEC regulations, input of Ecological Focus Area supplements tradable at regional level, and general promotion of a stronger socio-economic agenda in coordination with land user associations.
Definition for wild areas, now under consultation. We are seeking to parallel our 2013 wilderness definition, adopted for the EC Management Guidelines and Wilderness Register. The aim is to provide flexible criteria for wildness and its restoration with standardized application in any biogeographic and cultural circumstance.
Working partnership with a legal network and newly formed conservation body, developing a new form of long-term legal protection for wilderness and wild areas on private land, including those with old growth forest.
EC Guidelines: Phase II project developed and proposed

5. Strengthening Wild Europe’s organizational capacity

Wild Europe office opened at the IUCN building in Boulevard Louis Schmidt, Brussels. Wild Europe’s EU legal foundation status assessed in 4 countries for post Brexit scenario
Alternative national legislatures assessed for Wild Europe future constitution post Brexit

Further information is available on all these initiatives, via info@wildeurope.org

Main achievements for 2019/20

1. Implementation of old growth/primary forest strategy

Wild Europe OGF/wilderness conference in Bratislava 20/21^stNovember 2019
Lobbying for total protection of old growth/primary forest in the EU
Further funding and launch of Francesco Sabatini forest mapping
Production of definition & management principles for OGF/primary forest
Support for developing carbon benefits model of OGF
Creation of IUCN motion for improved OGF protection (Daniel Vallauri) based on WEI Strategy for Protection
State agency project: best practice and set-aside represented to EUSTAFOR
Agreement on value of OGF secured from Presidents of CEPF & EUSTAFOR

2. Further support for wilderness and wild areas

Wild Europe conference in Bratislava 20/21^stNovember sets key targets
Lobbying for 10% wilderness target in EU and non-EU states
Support for FCC Romania, including 5.5 million Euro facilitated from ELP
Extended protection agreed by Czech government to Sumava NP
Substantial inputs to Clima Carpathia mega protection initiative
Support for Central European Wolf Mountains project
Finalisation of freehold/leasehold non-state landowning structure in UK to support very long-term protection & restoration of wild areas

3. Input for national strategies

Proposal for France Sauvage NGO network, including support for Macron vision of 10% haute naturalité/protection forte
Funding for mapping project to identify key wilderness areas in France
Proposals for implementation of German 2% target: PES potential
Finalisation & promotion of the definition for ‘wild areas’ in Europe
Launch of enlarged Hohe Tauern NP, Austria wilderness (Wild Europe criteria)
Rewilding Britain – through board, including input to English Tree Strategy

4. Development of key topic/strategy agendas

Membership of EC Working Party on Forests & Nature for 2020 EU Biodiversity Strategy implementation
Development of briefing materials for the Working Party
Inputs to updated 2015 EC Guidelines for Forest Management in N2000
Input to EU Biodiversity and Forest Strategies
Input to EU Restoration Strategy & targets, building on 2010 Strategy
Sound Science initiative launched for forest bioenergy campaign
Further input to 2020 CAP programme
Combatting bias in EC consultation on forest bioenergy

5. Promotion of conservation infrastructure development

Meeting facilitation and input for IUCN Rewilding Task Force
Development of proposals for European Investment Bank role
Proposals for linkage between EC N2000, Bern Convention Emerald Network and UNESCO WH and Biosphere networks

6. Strengthening Wild Europe’s organizational capacity

Stichting foundation structure (Netherlands legislature) chosen and prepared
Zoltan Kun appointed Head of Conservation, Erika Stanciu appointed Head of Policy

Members of the WWG mapping sub-group discuss the latest techniques for a wilderness register.

Wilderness Working Group

The Wilderness Working Group (WWG) brings together leading wild area practicioners from across Europe. The Group’s original remit is to develop policy and propose practical initiatives for protection and restoration.

It is chaired by Erika Stanciu (Wild Europe’s Chair), and its work includes assessing practical definitions, mapping, support for new initiatives such as the Wilderness Register, and fund raising proposals for a Pan-European communications strategy.

The WWG has been comprised of participants from 15 countries: Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, Finland, France, Hungary, Netherlands, Romania, Scotland, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine and the USA. Its membership includes NGO representatives, national park directors and scientists.

Technical sub-groups have been created, to help formulate a definition for wilderness and wild areas. And, most recently, to review and propose improved approaches for mapping and monitoring – in parallel with development of the Wilderness Register.

A policy discussion at IUCN office in Brussels

Other meetings

Wild Europe develops its policies from a wide range of inputs, with a series of ad hoc meetings which discuss particular topics.

In the photo to the left, a group of NGO representatives examines proposals. Participants included, from left to right: Michael Zika (WWF Austria), Feiko Prins (Natuurmonumenten, retd), Joep van de Vlasakker (Flaxfield Nature Consultancy, Belgium), Sandra Bakker (Statsbosbeheer, Netherlands), Bill Murphy (Coillte, Republic of Ireland), Denis Strong (National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland), Cipriano Marin (UNESCO), Ishwaran Natarajan (UNESCO), David Morris (Caucasus Nature Fund), Monika Jacobs (IUCN Regional Office for Europe), Zdenka Krenova (Biodiversity Research Centre, Czech Republic), Ben Delbaere (ECNC/LHN). Backs to camera: Zoltan Kun (European Wilderness Society), Peter Hobson (CEEM, UK), Federico Minozzi (Europarc Federation)

The impact of Brexit

Wild Europe was on the verge of becoming a foundation with fully-fledged legal status, back in June 2016. Then came the Brexit referendum result.

We have since been evaluating alternative ways forward, and are grateful for the highly positive feedback received during a subsequent consultation exercise.

The Endowment Fund will still be developed to provide sustainable finance for basic core costs, and initial grants have already been arranged for key initiatives.

Equally our objectives and activities will not be altered. The threats and opportunities facing natural ecosystems across the continent remain the same. And we will continue to address our agenda with colleagues in non-EU as well as EU countries.

Our overall message, that Wild Europe now has the capacity to operate as a long-term entity to champion wilderness, remains unchanged.

The one element we will need to address is geographic orientation. We will retain an office in London, but over the next two years we will progressively shift our legal and operational centre of gravity into a country with permanent EU membership.

To this end we are currently talking with a couple of partners, and further proposals will be circulated for agreement in due course.

Our Brexit objectives

Wild Europe’s three objectives in response to Brexit are currently:

to encourage ongoing EU and European orientation by our associates in the United Kingdom, focused on a major role for cooperation on environmental issues in any negotiated package once Article 50 is triggered
to seek full retention of the UK’s heritage of EU environmental legislation, resisting any internal “Fitness Check” which could have negative consequences beyond the UK
to take advantage of new opportunities within the UK that may have wider relevance, for example CAP reform leading to greater emphasis on payment for provision of environmental benefits

Above all, we will continue with development of a core executive team to expand the range and impact of Wild Europe’s activities.

The Economic Benefits Working Group

Introduction

The economic benefits group is tasked with identifying, valuing and promoting the economic benefits of wilderness and wild areas, with focus on non extractive, no-impact benefits derived from ecotourism, ecosystem services and usage for social betterment.

The group will initially include business people, economists, ecosystem specialists, landowners, farmers, social enterprise entrepreneurs – all of whom share a profound regard for wilderness as well as contributing their professional expertise.

While the true intrinsic value of the wild is priceless, there is no doubt that realization of its economic value can attract support for its protection and expansion. However, as laid down firmly in the Group’s operating principles below, our aim is to strengthen, not replace, traditional approaches to wilderness and wild areas.

Protecting wilderness can bring economic benefits

Objectives

1. To identify and promote, wherever desirable and feasible, economic benefits arising from non-extractive, minimal impact activities relating to wilderness and wild areas, viz:

nature tourism
related activities: recreation, corporate events, themed retreats
ecosystem services: carbon sequestration, flood mitigation, pollution alleviation, others
social services: education, youth development, youth at risk, healthcare, peace & reconciliation
ancillary activities: visitor centres, guiding, accommodation & sustenance, retail, craft, transport
related goods and services in adjacent areas benefiting from association (wilderness image, logo, product value added, marketing, productivity and business support)

These benefits would be additional to any relating to biodiversity value, which could, where appropriate, themselves be enhanced with restoration and species reintroduction, with associated grant and enterprise opportunity.

2. To apply these economic benefits to protection or restoration aims in specific areas, and to national and organizational strategies.

Where relevant this can involve using ANEEP – Assessment of Non Extractive Economic Potential as a multi-level instrument of analysis of benefits associated with wilderness and wild areas. According to the level chosen, the ANEEP could include:

overview of non-extractive economic benefit potential
linkage to restoration and reintroduction opportunity
cost:benefit exercises for alternative approaches
identification of specific opportunities – matching with operatives if relevant
signposting to sources of funding, advice, marketing networks
assistance with planning and upgrading of local capacity

3. To input credible economic benefit content for Wild Europe’s general strategy and individual policy objectives – eg:

support for establishment of national wilderness strategies
networking for collective address of threats
input to individual programmes – eg Old Growth Forest strategy, Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Reform
economic rationale and business enterprise development for social benefits
collation and dissemination of best practice
promoting models for Forestry Agency adoption (replicating Coillte/Nephin Ireland, FCS Scotland, Staatsbosbeheer Netherlands)
demonstrating wilderness benefits to European Commission and Member States – viz support for the N2000 programme, Green Infrastructure and PES, rural development programme, other (non Environment) DG objectives
ensuring the equivalent for non EU countries – via input to best practice sharing, Neighbourhood Agreements, Accession Treaties, trade & aid agreements

Six Principles for operation

The economic benefit approach is intended to reinforce, not replace or overshadow, traditional approaches to promotion of wilderness and wild areas – namely their intrinsic, spiritual and ecological values.
Any project entered into via this economic benefits approach would have the above principle enshrined in its Mission Statement to govern all strategy and activity.
Any proposals for economic benefit implementation would be preceded by an Impact Assessment to ascertain that their ultimate consequence would be not inadvertently catalyse developments damaging to the underlying wilderness and wild area objective.
Management and ownership controls would be adopted to assure these principles are fully enacted.
Any related developments would be located with future expansion of wilderness and wild areas in mind.
In identifying beneficiaries from benefit development support, priority will be given to local communities and landholders as well as key supporting decision takers.

Mode of Operation

Principally by email and phone, meeting in parallel with the Wild Europe Executive Committee.

Some 15 – 20 members including specialisms in ecology, conservation management, tourism enterprise, business finance and management, agronomics, macro economics, ecosystem services, fund raising.

Two co-chairs: Toby Aykroyd and Neil Birnie

For further information: tobyaykroyd@wildeurope.org