European Wilderness Journal
European WILDERNESS SOCIETY WWW.WILDERNESS-SOCIETY.ORG
No. 1/2014
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European Wilderness Journal
The future of wilderness in Europe Dear Friends of the wild!
In
the past 15 years a lot has been achieved for Europe’s wilderness. These achievements by various organisations were partially acknowledged by the 10th World Wilderness Congress, the WILD10 in Salamanca, Spain.
Our vision
Since we need to go further for future generations! The launch of the new Vision for a Wilder Europe inspired us to set up the European Wilderness Society, which is a new entity that strives for more and better protection of wilderness in Europe.
Our objectives
• Identifying and assisting in the management and lobbying for existing wilderness areas in Europe • Increase the total designated wilderness area in order to balance our human footprint on the continent • Inspire Europeans to care for our wild places across the continent
Our mission
As its name implies, the new entity focuses its efforts on wilderness, on Europe and on joint actions involving the public. We are an inclusive entity, which will be supported by individuals, government, profit and non-profit organisations. Many are already part of the European Wilderness Society but more are welcome to join and take part in our mission. Like a wast network of partners, scientists, researchers, nature conservationists, media experts, tourism specialists and management teams.
Join us
Our new society will also focus on the ambitious target of designating 5% of Europe’s land territory as wilderness. The engaged and very experienced team behind the European Wilderness Society works ambitiously to reach this goal. But together with you we can achieve even more! In case you are keen to publish anything, would like to comment on our European Wilderness Society Web-page or would like further information concerning the European Wilderness please let us know!
Welcome to the European Wilderness Society!
Letter to the Editors Wilderness is nowhere as important as it is in Europe, the world’s most densely populated continent. The good news is that, in the last 20 years, great and critical strides have occurred to help raise awareness of and protect wild nature…but this work has really only just begun. The European Wilderness Society is the force needed to continue and build this momentum. We all need to join, assist, and promote this important initiative. Vance G Martin, President: The WILD Foundation, World Wilderness Congress
The newborn EWS does a great job. Your homepage is very attractive and well-made. Congratulations. Bernhard Kohler WWF Austria
This is a very good initiative to save the population of wolves especially in Europe where hunting is a serious problem! Technical Specialist UNESCO MAB Uganda
This a great opportunity for key core wilderness and wildlife areas. Excellent stuff. Jim O.Donnell Around the world in 80 Years
Follow, contact and talk to us If you are interested in being notified about European Wilderness you can register for our Wilderness Newsletter or follow us on Facebook, and Twitter, or join our open Linkedin group! Our website is a one-stop-shop for information about the European Wilderness. www.wilderness-society.org
Zoltán Kun, Chairman | Max A.E. Rossberg, Deputy Chairman | Vlado Vančura, Director Wilderness Development
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Wilderness Ticker ▲
European Natura 2000 Award Wilderness areas form an important part of the Natura 2000 system within the European Union. There is an opportunity to reward best practices of protecting wilderness through nominating your area for the Natura 2000 Award at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/awards/# However our efforts should not stop here! Our team is currently working on drafting a new European Wilderness Convention that will recognise the importance of wilderness in halting biodiversity loss and in delivering public benefits.
„None of Nature‘s landscapes are ugly so long as they are wild.” John Muir, Our National Parks, (1901), Chapter 1, page 4.
Wilderness and forest
▲
Forests are important to the ecosystem, not only for conserving Europe’s biodiversity but also to protect the last fragment of extremely rare wilderness. Forests are also a fundamental element of Natura 2000. Nearly 50% of Natura 2000 habitats are forests and around 23% of all EU forests are in Natura 2000 sites! So if European forests are among the main repositories of European biodiversity then consequently (whether we like it or not) wilderness is also by definition an extremely important reservoir of European biodiversity. Particularly, wilderness forest is the kind of biodiversity reservoir that people have already been longing for so many years.
Threat of winter tourism in the Tatra National Park
Iconic protected areas such as the Tatra National Park, Slovakia and the Rila National Park of Bulgaria are under threat by extractive industry and unsustainable tourism development. Despite them having been recognised as IUCN Category II Areas and their inclusion in the EU Natura 2000 system, investors are suggesting massive ski lift developments in both areas.
Save the date February
International Congress on Rural Tourism of Navarre Kingdom 20. - 21. February 2014, Pamplona, Spain
August
The 7th International Conference on Monitoring and Management of Visitors in Recreational and Protected Areas 20.-23. August 2014, Tallinn, Estonia www.tlu.ee/en/mmv7/
October
18th Forum 2000 Conference 12.-14. October 2014, in Prague, Czech Republic www.forum2000.cz/en/calendar/
National Wilderness Conference 15.-19. October 2014, in Albuquerque, USA www.wilderness50th.org/conference
November
IUCN World Parks Congress 12.-19. November 2014, in Sydney, Australia www.worldparkscongress.org
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European Wilderness Journal
Importance of wilderness The general public often wonders why we researchers and increasingly the politicians are so supportive of the wilderness. Here are just some of the vital role the wilderness plays in dealing with challenges of industrial development. Author: Allan Wattson US Forestry Service Member of NAWPA
The
general public often wonders why we researchers and increasingly the politicians are so supportive of the wilderness. Here are just some of the vital role the wilderness plays in dealing with challenges of industrial development.
Conserving Biodiversity
Protected areas are essential for conservation. In a changing climate, they are safe havens for plants and animals to reproduce despite changing conditions.
Protecting Ecosystem Services
Wilderness and protected areas protect, restore and provide essential ecological, social and economic services, like clean water; weather, temperature and humidity regulation; soil conservation; and genetic reservoirs that may lead to the development of improved crops, new medicines and other products vital to human communities.
Connecting Landscapes
The unpredictable impact of climate change may affect the ability of ecosystems and species to adapt to changing environmental conditions either in-situ or via migration to more suitable habitats. Protected area networks are one of the most effective approaches for supporting ecosystem adaptation. Connecting terrestrial and freshwater habitats across varied landscapes enables plants and animals to shift ranges and thrive in new locations.
Source: North American Protected areas as natural solutions for climate Change (2012), North American Intergovernmental Committee on Cooperation for Wilderness and Protected Area Conservation (NAWPA)
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Is wilderness so important for the challenges of modern days society?
Yes!
Capturing and Storing Carbon Protected areas store vast amounts of carbon in ecosystems such as boreal and temperate forests, coastal areas, oceans, and grass lands. These natural systems help reduce the levels of greenhouse gases that cause global warming through natural biological processes that draw carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Building Knowledge and Understanding
Wilderness in particular, offers unique opportunities for research on climate change, because these areas are among those least modified by human influence. Applied science and research in protected areas can improve our understanding of ecosystems and species’ response to climate change, and improve information for planning and management to help communities adapt.
Inspiring People
Inspiring natural surroundings provide the perfectsetting for tuning into nature, learning about it, appreciating it, respecting it and pledging to protect it. Managers can serve as conveners, facilitators, and leaders who inspire and engage their communities in partnership for conservation and learning promote resource stewardship to ensure a sustainable future. â?€
WILD 10 Salamanca Spain
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European Wilderness Journal
Interview with Michael Meyer Michael Meyer is the Project Manager for the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) based in Germany. Michael Meyer started his career as a consultant on management of tourism facilities, working about 15 years on quality assessment and training of staff. Interview: Max A.E. Rossberg
European Wilderness Society: Mr. Meyer, the European Wilderness Society has been founded to promote the concept of Wilderness in Europe. Most of these wilderness areas are in less developed areas with little tourism. As you have been very active in identifying tourism trends, what role could wilderness play in the future when it comes to alternatives to the mainstream tourism concepts? Michael Meyer: Wilderness areas already play a crucial role for people. These areas provide ecosystem services such as clean water, clean air, forest products (wood, herbs, game) etc. On top of this main function, these areas are important for recreation and educational purposes.
In the future this role will be even more important. People tend to move to cities, rural areas are abandoned. That means they move further away in distance and in knowledge from what nature actually is. In addition, our world moves faster in comparison to 50 or 100 years ago. People are stressed from their jobs and from the daily pressures. In wilderness they can slow down and learn about nature and themselves. European Wilderness Society: What are the key requirements for wilderness areas in attracting tourists? Michael Meyer: Wilderness areas need to be authentic and as unspoiled as possible. People living in and around wilderness areas have to be proud in being there and invite tourists to learn about their daily living. European Wilderness Society: What are the key success factors when developing a tourism strategy incorporating wilderness as its key element?
In 1999 he became a member of the board of Ecological Tourism in Europe (ETE) to work on the topic of sustainable tourism development in and around protected areas foremost within Central and East Europe. Since 2006 he is also working for the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) giving advice to member states on sustainable tourism planning and biodiversity-based tourism product development.
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Michael Meyer: People consider wilderness areas as areas without any human influence. They think no people live „there“. For most of the wilderness areas in Europe this is certainly not true. Therefore, one of the key success factors for a tourism strategy is the ownership by local people for designing and implementing such a strategy. Wilderness is dependent on people and vice et versa. The second key element is the full support of all governmental bodies involved in managing a wilderness area, no matter if at national, province, district or community levels. European Wilderness Society: What do you suggest to the European Wilderness Society (EWS) when it comes to incorporating tourism in its portfolio? Michael Meyer: The EWS could be THE platform for promoting sustainable tourism in wilderness areas in Europe. It should provide all the existing tools and methodologies available to make sustainable tourism a success together with the tourism business sector, governments, NGOs and science. ❀
He is a member of the roster of experts of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and co-author of the International Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development of the CBD. His specialties are coaching of tourism planning processes, capacity-building of local communities and entrepreneurs and sustainable tourism product development.
Call for the Wild in Legislation The 10th World Wilderness Congress also known as WILD10 organised in Salamanca turned into a major milestone to promote wilderness protection in Europe. Author: Gaia Angelini, Policy and Project Director LuminaConsult and Zoltan Kun
One
really mean?
of the outcomes of the conference was something that has the boring title of Resolution 17. What does this number
Milestone Resolution
This is a resolution which calls for improving the legal protection of wilderness through a European Wilderness Convention.The European Parliament passed a resolution on wilderness in February 2009, some of the recommendations having been realised through: • the development of a definition of wilderness • the development of guidelines on wilderness management in the Natura 2000 network • and a wilderness register that documents and maps wilderness in a subset of countries in Europe
Finding wilderness
A review of status and conservation of wild lands throughout Europe, completed for the Scottish Government, revealed that the word “wilderness” is not officially included in most of the national protected area legislation of European countries. However, strictly protected area types that are found in the national legislation in most of the European countries do give rise to areas across Europe that have wilderness characteristics. Some of these areas, like the Swiss National Park in Switzerland and the Lagodekhi State Nature Reserve in Georgia, have had this strict protection in place for 100 years or more.
Join Together
Therefore our society along with other organisations calls upon all European Countries to join together in a European Wilderness Convention based on a framework that incorporates the wilderness definition, and has a ‘model law’ for wilderness as a protocol for its protection derived from existing national legislation for strict protection. We want to ensure that the framework includes a commitment on Contracting Countries to explore the possibility of establishing additional strict wilderness reserves in their territories in line with the protocol. And finally we also encourage Contracting Countries to incorporate their strict wilderness reserves in the European Wilderness Preservation System. ❀
Two of our colleagues are among the initiators of the European Wilderness Convention!
Wild10
We commend the Alpine Convention as an example of a supranational agreement between countries that share geographical regions, with protocols for specific common actions defined and pursued by the decision-making body of the Convention and through participation of the signatories to the regular meetings of the Alpine Conference. We recognise the example of the ‘model law’ for Biosphere Reserves proposed by the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program, based on the analysis of various examples of existing legal translations of the biosphere reserves concept into national protected area legislation.
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Wilderness areas in Europe 53 58
Vatnajรถkull NP Iceland
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Helsinki
04 Oslo Stockholm
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43 Riga
27
38 26
28
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29 30
54
42
Vilnius
06
20
Minsk
31
Dublin
19
32
Berlin Warszawa
London
17
Kiev
24 63 Paris
21
18
Vienna
33 64 39
34
62
37
Bratislava
40
Budapest
16 Bern
59
22
41 35
Ljubljana
57
07
60
Bucaresti
Sofia
56
03
01
14
Madrid
Lisboa
51 52 Desertas Islands NP, Portugal Garajonay NP, Spain
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15
Roma
61
Tirana
25
08 36
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Moskva
v
49 50
Peneda Gerês National Park, Portugal Fulufjället National Park, Sweden Majella National Park, Italy Archipelago National Park, Finland Soomaa National Park, Estonia Cepkeliai-Dzukia National Park, Lithuania Retezat National Park, Romania Rila National Park, Bulgaria Central Balkan National Park, Bulgaria Oulanka National Park, Finland Paanajärvi National Park, Russia Küre Mountains National Park, Turkey Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Georgia Poblet National Park, Spain Archipelago La Maddalena National Park, Italy Swiss National Park, Switzerland Hainich National Park, Germany Hohe Tauern National Park Salzburg, Austria (Certified) Brandenburg Foundation‘s 4 territory, Germany Unteres Odertal National Park, Germany Kalkalpen National Park, Austria (Certified) Triglav National Park, Slovenia Słowiński National Park, Poland Gorce National Park, Poland Prespa National Park, Albania Nemunas Delta Nature Reserve, Lithuania Kamanos Nature Reserve, Lithuania Viesvile Nature Reserve, Lithuania Punia-Prienai Forest Nature Reserve, Lithuania Žuvintas Nature Reserve, Lithuania Biebrza National Park, Poland Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, Belorussia Bieszczady National Park, Poland Zacharovanyj Kray National Park, Ukraine Natural Park Gradistea Muncelului-Cioclovina, Romania Belasitsa Natural Park, Bulgaria Rodna National Park, Romania Aukštaitija-Labanoras National Park, Lithuania Gorgany Nature Reserve, Ukraine Calimani National Park, Romania Cheile Bicazului-Hasmas National Park, Romania Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, Belorussia Polistovsky Nature Reserve, Russia Severo-Osetinskij Zapovednik, Russia Khosrov Forest State Reserve, Armenia Lagodekhi Protected Areas, Georgia Arevik National Park & Boghagar State Reserve, Armenia Shikahogh SR & Zangezur State Sanctuary, Armenia Stepnoi State Nature Sanctuary, Russia Astrakhan Biosphere State Reserve, Russia
44 65 12
Potential Wilderness Areas
46
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Tbilisi
45 Ankara
Yerevan
47 48
Baku
Desertas Islands National Park, Portugal Garajonay National Park, Spain Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland Wild Nephin / Ballicroy National Park, Ireland Cairngorms National Park, UK d‘Aigüestortes National Park, Spain Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy Jotunheimen National Park, Norway Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, Italy Foreste Casentinesi National Park, Italy Alta Murgia National Park, Italy Duna-Ipoly National Park (Csarna valley), Hungary Slovensky raj National Park, Slovakia National Park Poloniny, Slovakia Kolkheti National Park, Georgia
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European Wilderness Journal
The Wildland Research Institute (WRi) in Europe The general public often wonders why we researchers and increasingly the politicians are so supportive of wilderness. Here are just some of the vital roles which wilderness can play in dealing with challenges of industrial development. Author: Mark Fisher, Steve Carver, Alison Parfitt
The
Wildland Research Institute (WRi) at the University of Leeds, UK, is a world leader in wilderness/wildland research, and had a prominent role in WILD10, the 10th World Wilderness Congress last October in Salamanca, Spain. WRi gave two plenary talks under the congress heading of „Make the World a Wilder Place“, contributed significantly to a new draft Vision for a wilder Europe, contributed to 5 congress resolutions, moderated 6 sessions, and submitted 10 papers. So it is no surprise that WRi welcomes the new European Wilderness Society and others, such as Wild Europe, who support the ideals of wilderness.
International Wilderness Research
WRi aims to identify and develop the requirements, strategies and policies for a transition to a greater presence of wild landscapes. In support of this specific intent WRi has developed many of the approaches, tools and methods used in mapping wildness at local to continental scales and, together with World Universities Network (WUN) funding, WRi was the initiator of the International Wilderness Research Network (iWRN) to promote and develop a network of „mapping champions“ for wilderness throughout Europe.
The Gold Standard
WRi also offers a body of knowledge about self-willed land, non-intervention management and the gold standard for wilderness (see e.g. Wild or natural — the challenges Europe faces in setting aside wilderness). Interests in wildland, wilderness and wilding are often interdisciplinary, so the activities of WRi combine social and natural sciences, as well as the arts. WRi has had a longstanding partnership with social and natural scientists at the Aldo Leopold Research Institute, Missoula, USA, working with tribal and indigenous knowledge and helping develop approaches to mapping wilderness character. This led recently to a new project about traditional phenological knowledge, funded by the US Forest Service.
Interesting Times for Wildernistas
A new step in the development of recognising European wilderness is the WILD10 resolution on establishing a supra-national agreement in all European countries for a European
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Wilderness Convention. The proposal is based on a framework that incorporates the wilderness definition and has a ‚model law‘ protocol for wilderness protection derived from existing national legislation. Under that European wide umbrella, every country can maintain differences in its legislation and in its cultural approach to wilderness and still afford essential protection to this threatened resource.
Finding Words for Wilderness
Some European languages don‘t even have a specific word for wilderness. An example of the need to take a country-specific approach is the work of WRi in Scotland. This began through WRi developing a method to map wildland within the two Scottish National Parks. The approach was then adapted by Scottish Natural Heritage to map wildness across all of Scotland. The mapping can now be used in support of long and difficult discussion and policy making, about the world famous Scottish wild land, (the Scottish Highlands are visited by people from all over the world); about ecosystems services; and about renewable energy development. For further information about WRi and its activities see http://www.wildlandresearch.org ❀
Bison reintroduction The European Wilderness Society (EWS) is engaged in the reintroduction of the European Bison to the Vanatori Neamt Nature Park in Romania. Author: Vlado Vancura
The
European Bison (Bison bonasus), also known as Wisent, is exemplary as one of the few herbivore wilderness species listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Two subspecies are recognized, the lowland (Bison bonasus bonasus - extinct in the wild in 1919) and the Caucasian (Bison bonasus caucasicus - extinct in the wild in 1927).
Safegard European Wilderness
The EWS works to safeguard European wilderness, the continent’s most undisturbed areas of nature for future generation. The ambition of EWS in this long-term project is to re-establish a viable, self-sustaining population of European bison in the eastern Carpathian Mountains in order to revive wilderness values to this area and to offer support to the local communities. The initiative started within a Global Environment Facility (GEF) operation between 1999 and 2006: a World Bank Project on Biodiversity and Conservation Management.
Bison Reintroduction
The reintroduction area is situated in the South of the park, a potential wilderness area with low human disturbance. The area
(Cracăului Valley) is a forested area of around 5000 ha. The European bison has been roaming free in this area since the program started in the spring of 2012. The releasing area was evaluated by Polish and Romanian specialists and was considered as being suitable for further European bison reintroduction. The project includes the transfer of six captive-bred females from four samplings on the British Isles, to provide additional release stock for the on-going Romanian European bison population. The transport of the animals from the British Isles is planned to take place during March 2014. The free bison from the Cracăului area has already started to concentrate in the proximity of the fenced area and they are expected to stay there until spring. Therefore if everything will go according to plan, the new bison coming from the UK will be able to adapt and integrate with the Cracăului bison.
2005 in Romania: there was the first quarantine farm for European bison, the first genetic tests, the first regular system for veterinarian treatments, the first bison imports of genetic basis from Western Europe, the training for the staff involved and the establishment of a “Bison Management Centre” (acclimatization enclosure of 180 ha, feeders, facilities, bison herd dedicated to reintroduction purposes, with 20 animals).
Scientific Support
Technical studies undertaken by the Romanian Forest Research Institute - ICAS (1994) and The Zoological Society of London (1998) revealed the suitability of the Vanatori Neamt Natural Park to support a viable free roaming bison population. Further studies by Polish and Romanian experts confirm these results. It is worth mentioning that during the GEF project, the program has benefited from the assistance of a team of Polish consultants: ecologist (Prof. Kajetan Perzanowski), genetician (Prof. Wanda Olech), veterinarian (Prof. Wojciech Bielecki) and bison breeder (Mr. Mieczyslaw Hlawiczka) with a huge experience in bison management. ❀
Vatnajökull NP Iceland
Helsinki
Detailed Work since 2005
Oslo
Stockholm
The reintroduction of Europe’s largest land mammal represents one of the most challenging tasks in the restoration of European wilderness heritage. With respect to bison conservation, the first achievements were seen in
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Desertas Islands NP, Portugal Garajonay NP, Spain
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European Wilderness Journal
Wilderness in Focus Hohe Tauern NP, Austria
Once bearded vultures were found in almost every mountain range of southern Europe and the Alps. In numerous legends the bearded vulture, with its glowing red eyes, was feared and it was believed they attacked even young children. As a result, they were hunted and almost eradicated. The vultures have been reintroduced in the Austrian Alps through a captive breeding programme by the Hohe Tauern National Park and its partners. Author: Vlado Vancura
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The Nationalpark Hohe Tauern Salzburg has recieved the European Wilderness Diploma 2014
Believe
it or not, there is still wilderness in Central Europe in the most populated and modified mountainous area on our globe – the Alps. Difficult terrain provides an opportunity to safeguard the remains of wilderness that cannot be developed, just a couple hours drive from big European cities such as Vienna, Salzburg or Munich.
Nationalpark Hohe Tauern Salzburg
ibex), Red deer (Cervus elaphus), Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota), Mountain hare (Lepus timidus), Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra), bats, birds, lichens, etc. Vatnajökull NP Iceland
Research and Experience
Nationalpark Hohe Tauern Salzburg Country: Austria Area: 80.500 ha Wilderness Area: 9.136 ha Website: www.hohetauern.at Helsinki
Uniqueness of this wilderness area is highlighted by free-running natural processes and original landscapes, the high Alpine spacious glaciers, and it is an excellent area for research, monitoring and experiencing sustainable wilderness. ❀ Oslo
One such place is certainly the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern Salzburg, where the very conceptual pro-wilderness approach defined almost 10 000 ha of wilderness in a demanding European wilderness quality standard.
Stockholm
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Riga
Moskva
Vilnius
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Berlin Warszawa London
Kiev
In the middle of Austria
Nationalpark Hohe Tauern Salzburg is the largest national park in the Alps. A land of contrast would describe it shortly. The park is an area with a wild, primeval landscape and simultaneously it has fields cultivated by mountain farmers over several centuries. Wilderness in the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern Salzburg includes typical high Alpine zones and high level of Alpine biodiversity e.g. Alpine ibex (Capra
Paris
Vienna Bratislava Budapest Bern Ljubljana
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Desertas Islands NP, Portugal Garajonay NP, Spain
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European Wilderness Journal
Making Europe’s wilderness sexy again We like to think of tourism as a tool to mobilise people for wilderness and not as an industry creating nature conservation problems. People are increasingly seeking adventure; Europe’s wilderness is in serious need of getting more public support. Author: Janos Pereczes, Zoltan Kun
Now
more than ever before. As such, the European Wilderness Society works in partnership with tourism companies who share common norms and values concerning wilderness. The interested vacationer can find several travel offerings from our partners on our special website www.wilderness-travel.org.
Tourism as education tool
Tourism in our view is really not an industry: it is the education tool of the 21st century. It creates local jobs in rural, economically depressed regions, it highlights different culinary tastes, it offers income possbiblites to local guides and it brings people from different cultures together. It also provides the visitor the opportunity to interpret wilderness in a unique setting.
Where does the idea stem from?
When many Europeans think of wilderness, they tend to refer to lions and jaguars that can be seen on safari in Africa. But when we think about places like Oulanka National Park or Soomaa National Park, which are two very wild landscapes in Europe, we seldom think about these destinations in the context of a unique travel experience in a true European wilderness area. We realised that we needed to open people‘s eyes and raise awareness of these stunning places to achive our goal of safeguarding wilderness in Europe. Our tourism partners therefore play an important part in the preservation and conservation agenda in these wilderness areas and not only entertain but also educate the general public about the most pressing wilderness issues.
Travel2Wild
One of our partners in this endeavour is Travel2Wild. Travel2Wild was founded by nature-lover travel enthusiasts, who realised that while Europe’s wilderness offers so many wonderful holiday opportunities, people do not associate the words Adventure, Europe and Wilderness together. At the moment, Travel2Wild offers several tours to eight undicovered wilderness areas in Europe. Their plan is to cover all of the wilderness locations across Europe in the next 3 years as an alternative to mass tourism. ❀
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We encourage all interested wilderness advocates to consider the next vacation in a European Wilderness - there are many to pick from...
Wilderness in Focus The Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve in Belorussia is the oldest European preserved natural territory Author: Vlado Vancura
There
Ecology of the future
are very few wilderness areas in Europe that have already been protected for decades. Yet Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve in Belorussia founded in 1925, covers an area of 85.192 ha with 27.204 ha of wilderness, is definately one of them! Because of its biological diversity and unique combinations of natural conditions, the reserve is very important not only for Belarus but also for Europe. There are four types of ecological systems at the Reserve: forests, bogs, water reservoirs and meadows.
Covering nearly the whole spectrum of natural complexes of the Reserve - forests, mires, meadows, rivers and lakes - the ecological routes are designed for different kinds of visitors and welcome organised groups accompanied by experienced guides and specialists. â?€
VatnajĂśkull NP Iceland
Helsinki
Oslo Stockholm
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Tracks of the past
Moskva
Berezinsky has become a world-famous model of intact primeval nature of forest, marsh, lake and river systems. Thanks to the enthusiasm of many generations of scientists, forest experts and naturists, over 6.000 biological species are found here, including 187 rare ones listed in the National Red Data Book of Belarus.
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Natural heritage of EuropeÂ
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The reserve is situated at the watershed of the Baltic and the Black Seas. The reserve is the oldest of all the protected sites that form the wilderness heritage of Europe.
Vienna Bratislava Budapest Bern Ljubljana
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Yerevan
European Wilderness Journal
Welcome back home, dear Wolf! We are responsible to care for animals that belong to the natural biodiversity. The wolf is part of our natural heritage. Hunting and loss of their habitat as well as several myths have almost led to their extinction, but they are staging a comeback. Author: Max A.E. Rossberg
We
all know the story of the „big bad wolf “ in fairy tales like „Little Red Riding Hood“ and the gruesome stories about werewolves that even today return to the big screen in movies. But the mythology also tells the story that the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus were raised by wolves. This cultural-historical background reveals the often difficult relationship between wolf and mankind leading to the ambivalent roles of the wolf as a hunter and as a prey.
Hunter or prey ?
Previously mistaken as a bloodthirsty man-eater, scientific research has shown that the wolf is actually a very shy predator, that has primarily deer and rabbit on the menu. But nevertheless, over the past centuries wolves in Europe have not fared well. Wolves were nearly eradicated in Central Europe since the beginning of the last century. Hunters made a living from the bounties paid by villagers, because they hated the wolf as a competitor threatening their farm animals and the local wildlife.
Enjoys highest level of protection
Wolves are the most important and last missing natural predator in Central Europe. Without the wolf, governments for example need to spend immense amount of resources managing the deer population. This is why more and more regions and countries are working so hard on a reintroduction of the wolf across all of Europe. According to the EU legislation, the wolf is a priority species and therefore enjoys the highest level of protection in most European countries and a pan European anti hunting code was agreed upon.
Returning to their original home
Legal protection helped to increase the number of wolves quadruple since the 70s. They are rapidly expanding their territories in Europe from eastern Europe into France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Austria, Poland and Italy. Their choice of territory is often a mystery as Hnuti Duha, who are dealing with the monitoring and conservation of large carnivores around the Czech-Slovakian border, have observed. For instance, last year, the only one confirmed case was a dead female wolf hit by car near the town Valašské Meziříčí while in another instance a wolf
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was already seen in the Netherlands and at the time wolves have been observed in urban areas like Berlin, Hanover and Rome.
Chilling howling, but not dangerous
In general however, wolves are so shy that people hardly get to see them. The only way we are becoming aware of a wolf in our region is the chilling howling of wolves at night. The image of the wolf as a danger to man is still ingrained in the collective mind of Europeans even though it is scientifically proven to be incorrect. We tend to overreact as can be seen in the case of the derogation agreement, which permitted 120 wolves to be killed annually in Slovakia. Our colleagues at Hnuti Duha as well as several in Slovakian and Polish environmental organizations and hundreds of letters written by citizens of these states has started a EU Commission investigation into this unnecessary killing of the protected wolves.
Improve the coexistence between carnivores and humans:
In former times, herds consisted of 200 to 300 sheep, watched by at least 3 or 4 shepherds and their dogs. The dogs wore special spiked collars to fend off possible attacks from wolves. With the extinction of the large carnivores this skill and knowledge on how to protect the livestock has been lost. The herds have become larger while the shepherds and dogs have become less – for instance up to 1000 sheep with one shepherd and no watch dogs has become common.
Old and new techniques
There are several projects to reduce the impact of the wolf on the agricultural sector while allowing it to take its role in the natural food chain. Instead of ignoring the hunting ban, old methods should be recalled and used in combination with new technology. This is done by using simple tools, such as electric fences around sheep pens, by using ‘Wolf Patrols’ to monitor populations and guard against illegal hunting and trapping, and by protecting migration corridors from ongoing fragmentation through the purchase of land and replanting / regeneration, and undertaking a public awareness campaign using the data collected.
Tourism and wolf
Landscape and nature are the business foundation of regional tourism. Accordingly new media-friendly wild species like the wolf actually boost regional tourism opportunities. Tourist regions where wolves have returned not only have nothing to fear, but actually attract
interested visitors. The wolf is not the devil, it is just an animal we must learn to live with again. Should you need more information concerning wolves please contact the Europe Wilderness Society. ❀
WÖLFE IN EUROPA
Karelien 150-165
Geschätzte Zahl
Lebt zurückgezogen und scheu in Familienverbänden (Rudeln) mit starken Bindungen
WÖLFE IN ÖSTERREICH Im 19. Jhdt. ausgerottet Seit damals immer wieder sporadisches Vorkommen von Einzeltieren
Größe: zwischen 100 und 160 cm
260-330
Gefährdungsstatus: Rote Liste Österreich „Ausgestorben“
Gewicht: bis zu 38 kg Reviergröße: bis zu 300 km2
Skandinavien Baltikum
Wolfshinweise 2010, 2011 und 2012
Nö. Oö.
Vbg.
T.
Stmk.
Sbg.
STECKBRIEF WOLF (CANIS LUPUS)
870-1.400
W.
Alter: 8 – 13 Jahre Nahrung: hauptsächlich Rehe, Wildschweine, Hirsche
Deutschland-Westpolen 150
Bgld.
Ktn.
Karpaten
Iberische Halbinsel
3.000
2.500
WWF Österreich 2013
©
Westalpen
Italien 600-800
3.900
Balkan
Bilder: iStockphoto, Shutterstock
AUT
250
www.wilderness-society.org
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European Wilderness Journal
Wilderness Stuff ▲
DVD - The Wolf Mountains
ing this DVD you Aevis Foundation
might imagine. s teeming with ation grew, this e how it might ss of yesteryear nature that has Wolf Mountains’
The wolf mountains
w.aevis.org
The wolf Mountains
The European natural world could be even wilder than we might imagine. Large herds of bison and wild horses, huge bears and rivers teeming with salmon were once part of a wild Europe. As western civilisation grew, this natural paradise disappeared centuries ago and it is hard to imagine how it might once have been. But there are now places in Europe where the wilderness of yesteryear returns. This film is a unique portrait of a pocket of European wild nature that has not been witnessed for generations. This is a story about life in the ‘Wolf Mountains’ of the Eastern Carpathians.
use our unique to contribute to to their former
r of
lderness
The WWF Austria has developed a series of educational and informational set of material focusing on the return of the Wolf into Austria. Especially interesting is the 16 magazine targeted at the 10-14 year old teenagers informing them about the history, habits, dietary plans, hunting skills and the role the Wolf plays in the food chain of our natural environment.
▲
Magazine for Kids - Welcome Home
10 – 14 Jahre (ISCED 2) Schülerarbeitsheft
Willkommen zu Hause Die Wölfe kehren zurück
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IBAN: AT98 3506 3000 0015 8089 BIC: RVS AAT2 S063 Team
Zoltan KUN, Chairman of the Society, EU Advocacy and Fundraising, Max A.E. ROSSBERG, Deputy Chairman, Sustainable Tourism Expert Vlado VANCURA, Director Wilderness Development Anni HENNING, Senior Editor, Marketing Communications Susanne WERTH, Marketing Assistant, Marketing Communications Gaia ANGELINI, International Policy Director Bodo ROSSBERG, Art Director
We acknowledge our advisors
Stephen Carver, Wildland Research Institute Mark Fisher, Wildland Research Institute Allison Parfitt, Wildland Research Institute Dr. Michael Jungmeier, E.C.O. Institute of Ecology Michael Meyer, OETE Stiftung und UNWTO
© 2014 European Wilderness Society Dechant Franz Fuchs Str. 5; 5580 Tamsweg; Austria Phone: +43 (0)676 913 88 04 Email: info@wilderness-society.org | www.wilderness-society.org All rights, errors and changes are reserved. Photo Credits: Stephen Carver, Michael Meyer, Max Rossberg, Bruno D’Amicis, NP Kalkalpen, Wild Foundation, NP Majella, Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, Vanatori Neamt NP, Vlado Vancura, Sebastian Catanoiu, WWF, fotolia.de Design: www.diemedienwerkstatt.info, 5580 Tamsweg, Austria Printed in Austria
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