Collettivo Rewild Sicily set out the mission to make Sicily, the largest island of the Mediterranean, a greener, more conscious and wilder place. We do that by shifting towards a pro-rewilding culture through tangible actions on the ground. Our tools are agroforestry, anti-wildfire measures, grazing systems, citizen science and wildlife monitoring. We are bottom-up, starting with people and local ecological knowledge truly rooted in its territory for more nature in Sicily and rewilding as an ally in the future to come.
Our Projects
WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY UP TO
Let's free River Pollina
We are mapping small dams and river barriers, and restoring crucial eel habitat.
Prescribed Burning
Fire against fire
Birds, Bats and Butterflies
For Rural Futures: A Nature-based Solution in the Madonie Mountains
Urban Ecology
Making space for the wild in the city
What the Rewilding?
There are many definitions out there – this one works for us: Rewilding is a conservation strategy focused on restoring and revitalizing natural ecosystems by reintroducing native species, promoting biodiversity, and allowing natural processes to occur with minimal human intervention. Through actions such as habitat restoration, species reintroduction, and landscape connectivity enhancement, rewilding aims to create self-sustaining and resilient ecosystems that benefit both wildlife and people.
our focus areas
Fire and Land
We work in wildfire prevention, enabling local communities to approach fires safely when needed and reappropriate the element of fire as an integral part of the Mediterranean land- and culture-scape.
Water and Salt
Water is life. And water is a scarce source in Sicily. We work on freeing our rivers and look into the intrinsic connections between water, rivers, the sea and its people.
Cultured Landscapes
The Mediterranean is far from wild. It has been a cultured landscape for thousands of years. We value local traditional knowledge and land stewardship, while moving towards agroecology.
our favourite resources
📚 Books
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Feral: Rewilding the Land, the Sea, and Human Life by George Monbiot, 2014 George Monbiot’s ‘Feral’ is a game-changer, exploring rewilding’s power to transform both nature and human life. Through captivating stories and bold ideas, Monbiot shows how bringing back key species and restoring habitats can revive ecosystems and enrich our own lives. It’s a must-read for anyone who believes in a wilder, more connected world. |
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Rewilding: The Radical New Science of Ecological Recovery by Paul, Jepson and Cain Blythe, 2020 This your go-to-book if you want to understand more about the universe of rewilding. In easy understandable language (and now also as an illustrated version!) Paul Jepson and Cain Blythe draw a red thread through the current rewilding conversation from scientific studies and thinking to on-the-ground projects. We absolutely love it! |
🎧 podcasts
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The Rewild Podcast, with James Shooter (Rewilding Europe) James Shooter presents monthly stories of nature recovery from Rewilding Europe’s operational landscapes and across the European Rewilding Network. |
🤓 Scientific articles
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IUCN Guidelines for Rewilding (2025) This landmark publication by the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) establishes the first comprehensive international framework for rewilding. The document defines rewilding as a nature-led approach aimed at restoring natural processes, recovering lost species, and creating self-sustaining, resilient ecosystems that gradually require less human intervention. Built upon 10 guiding principles and 5 key recommendations, these guidelines provide a scientific and ethical roadmap to address the biodiversity crisis and climate change, while fostering a new coexistence between humans and the natural world. |
🍿 films & docs
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ANCIDDE, a film by Mathia Coco (Collettivo Rewild Sicily) There are animals that live at the margins of the human gaze. The European eel is one of these: elusive, ancient, in constant journey between sea and river. This documentary follows its path and, alongside it, the history of the Pollina river. A story made of ecology, landscape and relationships, where the liberation of rivers becomes a deeply cultural matter. |
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#DamBusters – The Start of the Riverlution, a film by Francisco Campos-Lopez Benyunes (Dam Removal Europe) There are rivers that have been silenced for decades. Dams divide them, interrupt them, erase what they once were. This documentary follows the river heroes working across Europe to tear down these barriers — one dam at a time. A story of restoration and resistance, where removing concrete becomes an act of ecological hope. |
Articles & News
Read about rewilding insights, Sicilian stories, and nature’s comeback.
About solitary bees
Most people picture honeybees when they think of pollinators, but it’s the solitary bee, nesting in wood and soil, that do much of the heavy lifting. They are disappearing fast, and need our attention.
The Miyawaki Method
Discover the Miyawaki Method, a revolutionary urban reforestation technique transforming Sicily’s landscapes. Learn how small forest plots create biodiversity hotspots
Meet our Team
We are a colourful bunch of passionate people who co-founded the Collective. Since then extraordinary members and volunteers join our journey.
Upcoming Events
Join for rewilding experiences, nature walks, and community events across Sicily. Connect with nature & like-minded people.
Get involved
We try to live up to the true meaning of a collective and are more than happy if you want to join our journey, partner with us, or support our work. There are many ways to get involved, we’re looking forward to meet you!
Adopt a Tree
We are growing an edible forest designed to prevent wildfires.
Make a donation
You can make a donation with a simple bank transfer to our bank account or also use the Paypal button. You can make a one-time donation or also sign up for monthly or yearly scheduled support. If you require a donation certificate please do get in touch. Thank you for your support!
Collettivo Rewild Sicily ETS
IBAN: IT48C0623004605000015524913
BIC: CRPPIT2PXXX
“Erogazione libera”
Visit us
Via Alloro, 64, 90133 Palermo
Orari coworking:
Monday – Friday
9:00AM – 6:30PM
Contact
ciao@collettivorewildsicily.com
collettivorewildsicily@pec.it
CF: 97377190828