The Saksfjed Wilderness is likely one of the largest and most aspirational rewilding initiatives in Denmark. Membership of the European Rewilding Community will improve rewilding efforts.
HENRIK EGEDE-LASSEN
Big rewilding potential
Saksfjed Vildmark (“Wilderness”) is positioned on the southern tip of the Danish island of Lolland. The 800-hectare web site, a coastal space comprising meadows, wetlands and woodlands, was as soon as largely used for agriculture, and is now managed by the Hempel Basis – a Danish philanthropic organisation. Beginning in January 2023, the muse has been working to actively rewild nature right here, primarily based on the restoration of pure processes. Transferring forwards, the realm shall be allowed to develop right into a wilder space of open grassland with scattered vegetation, open forests, and wetlands, grazed by bovines and wild horses.
Saksfjed Wilderness neighbours one of many largest nature reserves of the Danish Chook Safety Basis – the 217-hectare Saksfjed-Hyllekrog. Collectively, the 2 areas signify one in all Denmark’s most necessary autumn migration websites for birds of prey, and a wetland of worldwide significance for waterbirds. They’ve the potential to grow to be a haven for birds, bugs, and a variety of different wildlife extending over greater than 1000 hectares.
“Denmark is a rustic with a few of the lowest ranges of untamed nature on the earth,” says Anders Holm, CEO of the Hempel Basis. “The Saksfjed Wilderness initiative will assist to alter that – for the good thing about wildlife and Danish society. Over time, we would like Saksfjed Wilderness to grow to be one of the necessary pure areas in Denmark, and a beacon for the promotion of biodiversity, which may encourage rewilding efforts each inside and outdoors the nation.”
HENRIK EGEDE-LASSEN
Mutual advantages
Saksfjed Wilderness has simply joined Rewilding Europe’s European Rewilding Community as its 92nd member, with community membership distributed throughout 29 European nations. With different members concerned within the rewilding of agricultural land and using giant herbivores to boost pure grazing, the inclusion of the Danish initiative will strengthen the community’s collective experience and assist the Hempel Basis workforce of their rewilding efforts.
“We’re delighted to be becoming a member of the community,” says Anders Holm. “I consider we are able to study quite a bit from different members, and I stay up for sharing our expertise and experience in return.”
HENRIK EGEDE-LASSEN
An inspirational imaginative and prescient
With its swampy forests, sandy soil, woodlands, lifeless wooden, giant inhabitants of seed-dispersing deer, and species-rich neighbouring areas, the situations at Saksfjed Wilderness provide a near-optimal place to begin for the restoration of nature, aligned with rewilding rules and scientific suggestions.
At present, greater than half of Saksfjed Wilderness has been fenced by the Hempel Basis and a herd of Galloway cattle and household group of Exmoor ponies have been launched. The subsequent part of fencing will shortly be completed – when accomplished, an space of 750 hectares will host between 100 and 120 Galloway cattle and 20 to 30 Exmoor ponies, which shall be managed with give attention to intensive, all-year grazing in social teams. By way of their grazing, the herbivores will assist to maintain susceptible habitats reminiscent of meadows, pastures and wetlands open, enabling uncommon butterflies, orchids, and frogs to thrive.
The Saksfjed Wilderness initiative may also prioritise individuals and engagement. The rewilding workforce are aiming to facilitate studying, analysis, communication, and the event of finest apply to encourage different stakeholders and landowners to rewild for biodiversity and local weather. A rewilding data centre shall be established on the web site, whereas the workforce’s efforts, ambitions, and influence shall be promoted by means of an internet platform and social media. Collaborating with a variety of strategic nationwide and worldwide companions in several fields, the workforce need to push rewilding and nature restoration larger up the agenda, and are additionally aiming to help analysis and area research.
HENRIK EGEDE-LASSEN
Be part of the community
Rewilding Europe extends a heat welcome to all European rewilding initiatives that concentrate on sensible, result-oriented rewilding, and encourages them to apply for European Rewilding Community membership.
