Rewilding Appenines seeks to develop the Central Apennines as a wilder place for the benefit of nature and people, using the extraordinary biological and scenic richness of the area to counter rural depopulation and establish enterprises that link to a wilder post-agricultural landscape. This vision is shared and supported by our partner Rewilding Europe. The Central Apennines, a majestic range of limestone peaks reaching an altitude of almost 3,000 metres concealing caves, deep canyons, some of Europe’s oldest beech forests and a wide range of grasslands – inhabited by the Marsican brown bear, grey wolf, Apennine chamois, red deer, golden eagle, vultures and an astonishing set of endemics. This provides opportunities for truly Mediterranean wilderness experiences in the Apennines – the Wild Heart of Italy. What would we like to see achieved in the next five years? "Over the next five years I would like to see significant growth of the Marsican bear population with an extension of its core area, the comeback of scavengers and raptors which inhabited this area before hunting and poisoning took their toll, and the expansion of the European otter in our rivers. I would also like to see an increased environmental awareness amongst our local stakeholders, and the increased adoption of best practices for coexistence with wildlife, which form the basis of our conservation efforts." Mario Cipollone, Rewilding Apennines Team Leader
