Rewilding Apennines

Rewilding Apennines is part of the broader Rewilding Europe initiative, working to restore natural ecosystems and wildlife across Italy’s Central Apennines. This mountain range, which stretches the length of the country, is home to ancient beech forests, open hillsides, and alpine grasslands. These habitats support a rich array of species including wolves, red deer, and the iconic Marsican brown bear, a subspecies found nowhere else on Earth. 

Despite its ecological richness, the Central Apennines face growing pressures from land abandonment, habitat fragmentation, and declining biodiversity. Many traditional landscapes are being lost as rural populations move away, reducing the coexistence between people and wildlife that has shaped the region for centuries. Protecting and restoring these ecosystems is vital not only for the survival of species like wolves and bears but also for maintaining natural processes and promoting sustainable local livelihoods through nature-based tourism and stewardship. 

The ERF grant is supporting the expansion and strengthening of rewilding efforts in the Central Apennines. This includes restoring habitats and wildlife corridors, supporting coexistence between communities and large carnivores, and helping nature-based economies thrive.