Saksfjed Wilderness Joins the European Rewilding Network
Saksfjed Wilderness has become part of the European Rewilding Network, marking a significant step for nature restoration in Denmark.
Since January 2023, the Hempel Foundation has been committed to restoring wild nature on this former agricultural land, with the aim of creating a diverse habitat of open grasslands, forests, and wetlands, maintained through extensive grazing by cattle and wild horses.
Enormous Potential for Nature
The European Rewilding Network has assessed the landscape as having tremendous potential for valuable wild nature:
"With its swampy forests, sandy soils, wooded areas, dead wood, large populations of seed-dispersing deer, and species-rich neighboring areas, the conditions in Saksfjed Wilderness provide an almost ideal foundation for nature restoration, in line with rewilding principles and scientific recommendations. Through their grazing, the cattle and horses help keep vulnerable habitats such as meadows, grasslands, and wetlands open, allowing rare butterflies, orchids, and frogs to thrive," the assessment states.
Anders Holm, CEO of the Hempel Foundation, highlights the significance of this initiative:
"Denmark is among the countries with the least wild nature globally. Saksfjed Wilderness aims to change that—for the benefit of both wildlife and Danish society. We envision it becoming a key area for nature in Denmark, inspiring restoration efforts both nationally and internationally."
Mutual Benefits
By joining the European Rewilding Network as its 91st member, Saksfjed Wilderness will both contribute to and benefit from the collective expertise of members across 28 European countries. Membership is expected to strengthen the foundation’s rewilding efforts through knowledge exchange and collaboration.
"We are very excited to be part of the network," says Holm. "The opportunity to learn from others and share our insights is invaluable."
Saksfjed Wilderness not only focuses on nature restoration but also prioritizes community engagement and education. Plans include the establishment of an information center and the dissemination of the initiative’s goals and results through various platforms to inspire further projects and elevate nature restoration on the global agenda.
Join the Network
Rewilding Europe encourages other nature restoration projects to join the European Rewilding Network, strengthening the European rewilding agenda.
