Rewilding in action: Šumava National Park
On Rewilding Day 2026, our attention turns to WILDCARD’s Czech case study: Šumava National Park in southwestern Czechia, a landscape where nature is taking the lead. The National Park is one of Central Europe’s largest forested areas, stretching across borders with Germany and Austria.
Our new video shares insights about the history of this forest area, political and ecological objectives, and societal expectations: While some residents embrace the vision of wild forests, others see unmanaged landscapes as damaged or neglected.
Despite differing perspectives, our Czech study shows that attitudes are slowly shifting. Dialogue, experience, and exposure to regenerating areas are helping to build understanding and trust. Šumava offers a powerful reminder: rewilding is not “just” about ecosystems – it is also about people, perceptions, and the long-term vision of living with nature rather than controlling it.