Living in the 21st century, with all its doom and gloom can be depressing and frustrating. However, an inspiring new narrative is emerging, one that is slowly finding its way into the world of wilderness guiding in Europe. The nature conservation narrative is shifting from trying to save specific species and habitats ad infinitum (with a lot of management and little success to date) to rewilding natural areas, and allowing natural processes to unfold and shape the areas. This gives us a real chance to pass on an enriched rather than a degraded natural heritage to the next generation. It involves trusting in nature’s ability to restore herself, with as little human interference as possible.
Rewilding is a game changer for us wilderness guides, especially in Europe. While classical conservation actions remain relevant and shouldn’t be replaced by rewilding, it does provide us with a vision, a chance to rethink our relationship with nature and it’s dynamic forces. As nature guides, we connect to nature and give guests the opportunity to do so too. As wilderness guides we dive as deep into nature as possible. We are there, present in the moment, sharing a moment with the living creatures around us. We want our guests to experience the extraordinary power of nature, to be inspired by its beasts and beauties, and to feel at home in the wilderness. Rewilding enhances these possibilities.
As nature guides, we connect to nature and give guests the opportunity to do so too. As wilderness guides we dive as deep into nature as possible.
REINTRODUCTION OF THE BISON IN ROMANIA
Since 2014, Rewilding Europe, WWF Romania and the Armenian community have reintroduced European bison into the Tarcu mountains and have kickstarted a rewilding process that has not only seen the creation of a herd of over 100 wild bison in 2021, enriching one of the last wilderness strongholds in Europe, but also a strong ecotourism potential for the area.
Since 2015, the local team, now under the umbrella organisation founded by WWF Romania called WeWilder, have complemented and strengthened the bison reintroduction project by involving as many locals as possible in the fast-developing ecotourism operations. By including the locals into the team and supporting them in creating local accommodations, developing as chefs, hosts and food producers and training locals as guides and tourism operators, WeWilder is shaped by and firmly rooted in the local community and able to provide income opportunities for locals.
INTERPRETATIVE GUIDE TRAINING PROGRAM 2022
The well known wilderness philosophy of taking nothing but photos, killing nothing but time, creating nothing but memories and leaving nothing but footprints, is a highly problematic part of any ethical and professional wilderness guide. To ensure the success of rewilding, it is vital to uphold the highest possible standard to wilderness guiding. This can only be achieved by uniting the guiding community and together, inspiring and supporting ourselves to create the best experiences for our guests in an ethical and future-oriented way. The Wilderness Guides Association (WGA) is uniting and changing this philosophy. EWES, in collaboration with WeWilder, has created accredited Wilderness Guide Courses to help you get started and develop your guiding career as a WGA certified guide, or to simply experience and learn about wild nature, ecotourism and rewilding in Europe. With experienced instructors, eager to share their knowledge and skills, this courses give the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in interpretive wilderness guiding. It structures around rewilding, expedition leadership, hard and soft skills directed at wilderness guiding with a strong focus on personal development aiming to strengthen the rewilding community in Europe.
Wilderness Guide Courses help you get started and develop your guiding career as a WGA certified guide or learn about wild nature, ecotourism and rewilding in Europe.