The LIFE WILDisland project was presented at the "Wilderness in Dialogue" conference organised by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) in Passau, Germany, from 22 to 26 June 2026.
The conference brought together experts from research institutions, public authorities, NGOs, and protected areas to discuss current developments in wilderness conservation, the ecological and societal value of wilderness areas, and future challenges for their protection and management.
Representing the LIFE WILDisland partnership, viadonau presented the project's ambitious restoration measures along the Austrian Danube, highlighting how river restoration, the re-establishment of natural dynamics, and the protection of floodplain habitats contribute to restoring wilderness processes in one of Europe's most important river landscapes. The presentation also demonstrated the importance of close cooperation between nature conservation and waterway management in delivering large-scale restoration projects.
Throughout the conference, participants exchanged experiences on topics including natural climate protection, biodiversity conservation, forest development, and the benefits that intact wilderness areas provide for both people and nature. Workshops explored opportunities for strengthening cooperation, identifying research priorities, and improving knowledge exchange, while international speakers from Europe and the United States highlighted the importance of long-term strategies and cross-border collaboration.
The programme also included a field excursion to the Bavarian Forest National Park, where participants explored practical examples of climate research, peatland restoration, and natural forest development.
The conference once again demonstrated that restoring natural processes and strengthening ecological connectivity require close collaboration between institutions, disciplines, and countries—an approach that lies at the heart of the LIFE WILDisland project.
More information about the conference is available on the BfN website:
https://www.bfn.de/wildnisgebiete
Fotos: Claudia Weigel/Initiative Wildnis in Deutschland
