Floating with nature: From coexistence to co-profit

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A quiet but powerful shift is underway throughout Europe. While much of the continent’s nature remains under pressure, some iconic wildlife has caused an extraordinary comeback. This revival is not just about wildlife returning – it also involves redefining our way of life with it.

In 2022 Wildlife comeback report Emphasizing the return of certain wildlife species in Europe, this is a real conservation success. But with this success, the new challenge is from regression and polarization to downgrading legal protection. As a method of progressive conservation, Rewilding provides further direction by fostering simple tolerance to wildlife and plants. It helps to transfer the dial from “coexistence” to “co-profit”, thus creating conditions in which wildlife and people can benefit each other and thrive together. In this way, it invites us to reimagine our relationship with nature and embrace new opportunities for wildlife comeback.

Beyond tolerance

For decades, conservationists have focused their efforts on building and maintaining coexistence where humans and wildlife share spaces more or less. This is an important first step, especially in European landscapes where species such as wolves, beavers, vultures, bears and bison are returning after prolonged absences. Community across Europe began to pass measures such as protecting livestock with guardian dogs and installing electric fences.

However, tolerance often means we just endure the restoration nature – we manage problems and mitigate conflicts. What if we celebrate it, maximizing the wildlife comeback, rather than minimizing the drawbacks? What if we make wildlife comeback not a challenge to manage, but an opportunity for nature and people to prosper for a long time?

How is co-profitability?

Re-wildlife offers an optimistic vision of co-profit where the landscape becomes wilderness and the community enriches the community with the return of wildlife. This means creating conditions for nature and human benefit, unlocking new possibilities to revitalize rural economies, promote ecosystem health and enhance social well-being. As practical restoration efforts throughout Europe expand, we gradually see this vision of the entire African continent.

For example, in the Greater Coa Valley in Portugal, shepherds who protect the flock of wolves from guardian dogs are now selling wool at high prices to sustainable footwear company Wildling Shoes. This partnership creates economic value and encourages wolf acceptance – a win-win for both man and nature.

In the central Apennines, beekeepers who use bear-resistant fences to protect their hives are using their honey as a “bear-friendly” marketing – the tag tells a story of respecting wildlife and living with it, based on people and nature.

In the Carpathians in southern Romania, farmers who are taking steps to protect their orchards from emerging bison populations are being supported and promoted. Their products enter new markets, accompanied by strong stories, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for economic gains.

These wildlife-friendly products show how to redefine relationships with wild properties, thereby changing narratives from damage control to value creation.

Wildlife as our allies

Let’s not ignore the wide benefits that re-wild landscapes provide us. Once widely persecuted, beavers are now celebrated as natural water engineers, helping to improve water quality, store water during drought and reduce flood risk. In Jeppie, beaver has Taxpayer considered to be savings of more than one million euros By submerging a former military training site, transforming it into a wetland, it now absorbs heavy rain and supports prosperous biodiversity.

Raptors like eagles and vultures also play a role – cleaning up the bodies and helping to control the disease. These benefits go far beyond wildlife and support farmers, foresters and the wider society.

The tourism industry related to nature is also growing. For example, in Croatia's Velligite Mountains, an increasing number of international visitors are enjoying wildlife viewing and photography experiences as iconic species such as Red Deer, Trojan and Links return to the landscape. In more and more places in Europe, the tourism of wildlife is becoming a powerful economic driver, and Europeans are ready to enjoy wildlife through short trips and the use of leather.

By generating income through the appreciation of wildlife rather than exploitation, the recovery of wildlife can enrich the rural economy and pride itself on natural revival. Imagine the great potential of wild rivers, forest valleys and vast wetlands in Europe to generate value. Wild Europe is not only more ecologically richer, but also more economically smarter.

Re-wild: The Road to Prosperity

In re-wild Europe, we not only restore the ecosystem—we are working to redefine the relationship between people and the wild. All described wildlife species play a crucial role in this transformation, not only in rebuilding healthy, resilient ecosystems, but also in enriching the lives and livelihoods of people who share space with them. Through revival, nature and people prosper.

As our recovery efforts are now in 10 large landscapes – our ambitions to grow to 2030 – we are expanding a sport, not just natural recovery. We want to shape a future where people and nature are partners in prosperity. From clean rivers and more fertile soil to thriving economies and enhanced health and well-being, the return of wildlife will open new doors – if we are ready to cross them.

Why do we want to remarry? Because we not only want to survive – we want to thrive. We want to breathe clean air, drink clean water, feel inspired and enriched by wild landscapes, and build sustainable livelihoods that are related to nature.

Let us go beyond restrictive language and embrace opportunities. Re-wildness offers a bold, hopeful path, with beavers, bison and bears not seen as threats, but allies rebuilding a world where life can flourish. By following this path, we can all thrive together.