Dr. Frans Vera
Biologist and Conservation Specialist, Pioneer in rewilding in the Netherlands
Topic: Role of Large Herbivores in Shaping Dynamic Ecosystems
Frans Vera is a Dutch biologist and conservationist known for the “wood-pasture hypothesis,” which challenges traditional views of European primeval landscapes. His influential work at Oostvaardersplassen and key publications shaped rewilding strategies and conservation practices. Vera has also led the restoration of rivers and floodplains through the Stork Plan, reintroducing natural dynamics to restore biodiversity and enhance ecological resilience in Dutch river landscapes.
Derek Gow
Conservationist, farmer, and author
Topic: Rewilding
Derek Gow is a British conservationist, farmer, and author, renowned for his work in species reintroduction and rewilding. He has successfully restored species like beavers, white storks, and wildcats to the UK, turning his Devon farm into a model for rewilding with native species. Gow has authored Bringing Back the Beaver and Hunt for the Shadow Wolf, advocating for the reintroduction of apex predators like wolves. His pioneering work in conservation aims to reverse biodiversity loss and reshape Britain’s natural landscapes through bold, transformative projects.
Leo Linnartz
Ecologist and Conservation Specialist
Topic: Megafauna and large grazers
Leo Linnartz is a renowned Dutch ecologist specialising in landscape restoration, biodiversity conservation, and rewilding. With extensive experience in ecological research and sustainable land management, he has contributed to numerous European habitat restoration projects. His work bridges science and practical conservation, focusing on large herbivores’ role in ecosystem dynamics and creating resilient, biodiverse landscapes. Leo advocates for integrating ecological science into policy and actively participates in global discussions on nature recovery and sustainability.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Raoul Beunen
Environmental Governance Expert
Topic: Dutch Nitrogen Policy, Natura 2000 & Rewilding
Prof. Raoul Beunen, professor of Environmental Governance at the Open University, specializes in sustainability transitions and biodiversity policy. A board member of Advocaat van de Aarde and Chair of Mooi Wageningen, he champions nature conservation, offering expertise on governance, nitrogen challenges, and biodiversity enhancement. With extensive experience in policy development, he also contributes to shaping strategies for effective environmental governance and nature restoration at local national, and international levels.
Prof. Danielle Schreve
Palaeoecologist and Biogeographer, University of Bristol
Topic: Research into predators in past centuries
With a background in physical geography, palaeontology, and archaeology, Danielle Schreve has developed a model for understanding climate and environmental changes in north-west Europe over the last 500,000 years, widely adopted in various scientific fields. Her research focuses on mammalian responses to abrupt climate change and long-term faunal history, and is increasingly linked to conservation initiatives like rewilding and natural resource management. Additionally, Danielle explores societal responses to climate change through collaborations in the GeoHumanities with artists and performance makers.
Bernd Nonnenmacher
General Manager Foundation For Bears
Topic: Brown Bears and Rewilding
Bernd Nonnenmacher, Managing Director of the Alternative Bear Park Worbis, transitioned from international business consultancy to wildlife conservation, driven by a lifelong passion for bears, wolves, and lynxes. He has overseen the rescue of 16 bears, 16 wolves, and 6 lynxes, advocating for animal welfare and ecosystem restoration. Bernd believes in cross-border collaboration to create lasting change for both wildlife and people.
Prof. Dr. Michiel Wallis de Vries
Insect Conservation Expert
Topic: Rewilding from a butterfly perspective
Prof. Dr. Michiel Wallis de Vries has worked in the field of butterfly conservation for over 25 years at De Vlinderstichting. He is emeritus professor in Insect Ecology & Conservation at Wageningen University. His research emphasizes the impact of global change and land management on biodiversity, and habitat quality for butterflies in particular. Earlier in his career, he worked on the foraging ecology of large herbivores and their impact on vegetation succession. Rewilding is one of the emerging approaches to bend the curve of biodiversity loss where the evidence base is swiftly growing with tremendous potential for insect recovery.
Stefanie Huck
Wildlife keeper and Chief Animal Caretaker
Topic: The European Wildcat in Germany
Stefanie Huck, wildlife keeper and Chief Animal Caretaker at the Retscheider Hof e.V. wildlife rescue center, has dedicated her career to the care and conservation of carnivorous mammals, with a particular focus on polecats and wildcats. For years, she has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and successfully reintroducing these animals into their natural habitats. In addition to hands-on conservation work, she conducts nationwide monitoring and research on polecats, wildcats, and other species, deepening her expertise in their behavior and ecology. Passionate about their protection, she is committed to ensuring their long-term survival through both practical conservation efforts and scientific study.
Hans Pohlman
President of the Vulture Conservation Foundation
Topic: The Role of Scavengers in Rewilding
Hans Pohlmann is the president of the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF), leading efforts to restore Europe’s vulture species, including the successful reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture to the Alps. He began his work with VCF when he returned a weakened Bearded Vulture to the wild and has since contributed to key conservation projects. Hans is also Director of Conservation at Stichting Landschap Overijssel, managing 64 nature reserves. With a background in Spatial Planning and consultancy, he brings expertise to landscape and wildlife conservation. Hans is also an avid birder.
Wouter van Eck
Food forest pioneer, farmer, expert
Topic: Agriwilding
Wouter van Eck is a leading pioneer of the Dutch food forest movement, dedicated to integrating agriculture with natural ecosystems. In 2009, he co-founded Food Forest Ketelbroek on a former maize field, transforming it into the Netherlands’ most well-known food forest. As chairman of Stichting Voedselbosbouw Nederland, he supports farmers in transitioning to regenerative food production. With deep botanical knowledge and lifelong activism, he teaches, designs food forests, and inspires a movement. His work demonstrates that when given the chance, nature thrives—and so do people.
Dr. Euridice Leyequien
Professor Forested Landscapes
Topic: Food forests, Agroforestry and Rewilding
Eurídice Leyequién has over 20 years of experience as a researcher and advisor on global change in forested landscapes and agroecological systems, focusing on agroforestry and secondary forests. She works at the science-policy-practice interface, promoting climate-smart ecosystem management in delta areas. As a professor, she envisions green landscapes where ecosystem services and economic benefits go hand in hand, ensuring sustainable livelihoods while restoring nature.
Dr. ir. Susanne Vogel
Interdisciplinary Conservation Scientist, Open University
Topic: Social acceptance of rewilding with large herbivores
Susanne Vogel is assistant professor in socio-ecological modeling at the Open University, and specializes in human-wildlife interactions. She combines methods and perspectives from biological and social science fields, such as animal ecology, forestry, anthropology and political ecology. In particular she studies coexistence potential between humans and large herbivores, such as African savanna elephants. In her work she collaborates with NGOs and community-based conservation initiatives to support them to e.g. identify potential conflict mitigation options and measure people’s willingness-to-coexist with wildlife.
Szymon Czyżewski M.Sc.
Ecologist
Topic: The importance of large herbivores for biodiversity conservation
Szymon Czyżewski is a doctoral researcher in ecology in the Center for Novel Ecosystem Dynamics at Aarhus University studying present-day effects of large herbivores on vegetation and biodiversity, as well as paleontological evidence. A primary goal of his research is to define the pre-Homo sapiens baseline for the temperate forest biome in Europe. He is a passionate botanist, ornithologist, and entomologist. He is also actively involved in popularization of trophic rewilding in Poland with the focus on the restoration of close-to-natural herbivory regimes. He collaborates with local NGOs aiming to establish first trophic-rewilding reserves in Poland.
Marc Wilbers
Forest Ranger & Education Director, Rewilding Academy
Topic: Human-Wildlife Conflicts
Marc Wilbers is a forest ranger and dedicated naturalist specializing in wolf behaviour and bison reintroduction. With a lifelong passion for nature, he has a deep understanding of ecosystem interactions. Marc has played a key role in awareness raising after the wolf’s return to the Netherlands, organizing lectures, tours, and media contributions to educate the public on wildlife conservation.
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