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“When one tugs at a single living thing in nature, one finds it attached to the rest of the world.”
JOHN MUIR
The European Nature Trust (TENT) is a charitable foundation registered in the UK.
With vast areas of Europe already turned over to agriculture and urban development, we focus our efforts on the protection and restoration of the continent’s remaining wilderness. TENT works with agile and effective organisations, which make a difference on the ground, from Romania and Italy to Spain and Scotland.
In the pages to follow the breadth of projects that TENT supports is apparent. We are working to establish new protected areas. Our partnerships enable wildlife preservation and children’s outdoor learning. Our outreach programme includes conservation travel and inspiring fundraising film screenings and events.
Across the world we are all facing huge challenges; climate change, biodiversity loss and a burgeoning human population can make us feel powerless. However, the projects featured herein show what can be achieved when we unite under a shared objective. There has surely never been a more pressing time than now, to conserve the complex and colourful living ecosystems on which we all depend.
PaulPaul Lister Founder
Carpathian Mountains, Romania
Romania has the most extensive old growth forests left in Europe, providing a sanctuary for keystone species from bison and bears to wolves and lynx. FCC is a Romanian charitable foundation established in 2009 aiming to create a world-class wilderness reserve in the spectacular Fagaras Mountains, between the cities of Sibiu and Brasov. The plan is to protect up to
250,000 hectares of wild lands large enough to allow natural processes to govern the landscape, enabling wildlife to prosper within a rich and diverse mosaic of habitats. Working with local communities to support tourism and other micro businesses, it is hoped the reserve will become a model for other projects across the Romanian Carpathians and further afield.
www.carpathia.org
FOUNDATION CONSERVATION CARPATHIA (FCC)
Eurasian lynx Bunea wildlife hide Wisent, or European bison
Cantabrian Mountains, Spain
Since 1992 the Spanish Foundation FOP, has worked tirelessly to help save the endangered Cantabrian brown bear from extinction. From an all-time low of under 50 individuals, bear numbers have now reached in excess of 400 animals, living in the Cantabrian Mountains and a small population in the Pyrenees. FOP’s scientists, researchers, educators and rangers work on a wide
variety of projects from planting fruit trees and environmental education to anti-poaching patrols and volunteer programmes. FOP recognises that human acceptance of bears lies at the heart of their future and that education is key in nurturing a positive image of this iconic species.
www.fundacionosopardo.org
FUNDACIÓN OSO PARDO (FOP)
Cantabrian brown bears FOP researchers Habitat improvements
Sierra Morena, Spain
Founded in 1998 Spanish foundation CBD-Habitat, focuses on conserving iconic species such as the Iberian lynx, imperial eagle and black vulture of the Spanish Dehesa & Mediterranean forests. Just 20 years ago the Iberian lynx was the world’s most endangered felid with less than 100 animals remaining in just two populations. Thanks to the extensive efforts of CBD and
their partnerships with private landowners, rabbit numbers and habitat has greatly improved enabling this enigmatic cat to make a comeback from the brink of extinction. Numbers are now estimated to be in excess of 700 individuals in six or more locations across southern Spain and Portugal.
www.cbd-habitat.com
CBD-HABITAT
Telemetry research Iberian lynx Fallow deer
Early spring at the Lago Vivo in the Abruzzo National Park , Italy
The endemic Marsican brown bear can be found in the Apennine Mountains of central Italy just two hour’s drive from Rome. This genetically unique subspecies is the world’s most threatened bear with an isolated population of less than 60 individuals, most of which live within the boundaries of the 150,000 acre Abruzzo National Park.
Salviamo L’Orso is a volunteer association working to increase the size of the Marsican brown bear population and extend its home range, made up of rugged mountains covered by vast forests of beech, fir, pine, oak, yew, ash and maple. The Park has healthy numbers of Apennine wolf, wild boar, roe deer, red deer, fox, chamois and many other species.
www.salviamolorso.it
SALVIAMO L’ORSO
Bearwatching at sunrise Marsican brown bear Autumn colors in the beech forests
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in, where nature may heal
and give strength to body and soul.”
JOHN MUIR
HOWL is a professionally designed environmental journey for schools that has been operational at Alladale Wilderness Reserve in Sutherland since 2007. Local students are inspired to better understand the natural world and learn key life skills.
Over five days, the children hike in wild nature, swim in clear, cascading rivers and wild camp, sleeping under the stars. Since the programme began, thousands of children have learnt about ecology, bush craft, orienteering and leadership, very often igniting a passion to protect, restore and enjoy the wild. TENT is actively seeking other landowners to participate in the programme.
www.theeuropeannaturetrust.com
HIGHLAND OUTDOOR WILDERNESS LEARNING (HOWL)
Red squirrel
In 2013 TENT, in partnership with the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, funded the translocation of 36 red squirrels to four contiguous Highland estates: Croick, Glencalvie, Amat and Alladale Wilderness Reserve. Today, this population of squirrels is thriving, finding their way back to places where they have not
been seen in generations, some even colonising woods up to 20 kms away from release sites. Plans are afoot to carry out further squirrel translocations and other wildlife projects on several key species.
www.roydennis.org
ROY DENNIS WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
White tailed eagle Mountain hare Water vole
Scottish wildcat
The Scottish wildcat is clinging by a claw. Following a history of habitat loss, persecution and inter-breeding with domestic cats, this enigmatic species is now perched on the edge of extinction. Without an effective recovery strategy, Scotland will lose the wildcat and with it another vital piece of our natural ecosystem and cultural heritage. TENT is a supporter of Saving Wildcats, an ambitious recovery project led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland in collaboration with national and international partners. By removing threats, reintroducing wildcats and increasing public engagement, this project is the greatest hope for wildcats in Scotland.
www.rzss.org.uk/wildcats
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND (RZSS)
Glen Mor, Alladale Wilderness Reserve, Scotland
A VISION FOR THE HIGHLANDS
The last Scottish wolf was shot in 1743. Since then, we have grown used to life without this apex predator, but improved ecological understanding brings to the fore a question: Is it time for their return? Europe’s large carnivores are making a comeback; wolves are now traversing every country on the continent. TENT supports the concept of a 50,000-acre fenced reserve in the Scottish Highlands, an idea inspired by the success of the wolf ’s return to Yellowstone National Park and the tourism
benefits demonstrated by the South African Game Reserve network, which employs thousands of people.
Why?
Environment: A richer habitat and woodland regeneration.Employment: Wide variety of job opportunities.Economic: Positive impact on local and regional businesses. Education: Research and knowledge exchange. Ethical: It’s simply the right thing to do.
Shamwari Game Reserve, RSA Wolf watching, Yellowstone NP, USA Gray wolf, Yellowstone NP, USA
Inverness
Oviedo
SevilleGranada
Rome
Bucharest
“Everybody has to get out of bed everyday and do something meaningful that has nothing to do with themselves, to protect those things you love. You have to jump into the fray. You have to get really serious about spending or investing
a portion of your life doing something that sees you becoming an activist, a defender, raising an army, to protect the natural world.”
KRIS TOMPKINSEntrepreneur | Conservationist | Philanthropist
Belizean savannah
Belize (formerly British Honduras) is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Central American biodiversity. A country the size of Wales with a population of just 350,000, it is home to a kaleidoscope of iconic species, including five big cats, howler monkeys, scarlet macaws and the rare harpy eagle. Belize still has extensive natural
landscapes including dense jungles, dry upland forests, savannah, a vibrant barrier reef, unique mangrove & wetland communities. TENT is working with the Nature Trust of The Americas on a jaguar habituation programme, which will help promote a growing and sustainable wildlife tourism industry.
www.ntota.org
BELIZE
Ecotourism Scarlet macaws Jaguar
“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found,
was really going in.”
JOHN MUIR
TENT works with travel operators/agencies and destination management companies (DMCs), to create conservation journeys and bike rides that are designed for curious and conscious travellers who wish to get up close and observe, first hand, the work of our partner foundations in the field. Guests will enjoy
and experience exclusive access to remote, and often off-limits private land, which can increase the chances of a unique wildlife encounter. We host small groups who are willing to pay a premium for special experiences, while making a meaningful contribution to conservation work on the ground.
www. theeuropeannaturetrust.com
CONSERVATION JOURNEYS
TENT recognises the potential of compelling visual storytelling and supports documentary film making in a variety of ways. From short-format films to feature-length documentaries, we like to impact audiences by both informing them about the importance of our natural world and inspiring positive action.
In partnership with sponsors, TENT hosts regular screening parties for 200-450 guests at central London venues such as BAFTA and BFI. The ‘Party with Purpose’ provides a valuable fundraising platform attended by a dynamic group of loyal supporters and conservation media specialists.
www. theeuropeannaturetrust.com
FILM AND FUNDRAISING EVENTS
PARTNERS AND SPONSORS
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The European Nature Trust creates unique experiences to connect people with nature,
while raising funds for wildlife & conservation initiatives across Europe.
TRUSTEES
Toby AykroydCatherine CaponDavid EltonAlexandru EnePaul Lister
CONTACT US
44 Welbeck Street, London W1G 8DY020 7486 [email protected]
The Unfilled Page
Never leave the page unfilledFor life is brief and must be sought
Embraced, and faced and chased and caughtYes milk each moment lest you find
The future’s all you’ve left behindSo love and shout and share and build
And never leave the page unfilled!
BY CHARLIE OTTLEY
www.theeuropeannaturetrust.com
Design and production; Image credits: SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, Foundation Conservation Carpathia, Fundacion Oso Pardo, CBD-Habitat, Salviamo L’Orso, Innes MacNeill, Tony Rath Photography/www.tonyrath.com, Duncan Grossart, Magnus McCaffery, Max Milligan, Marco Buonocore / Wildlife Adventures, Umberto Esposito / Wildlife Adventures, Shamwari Game Reserve.
