On Monday, 8 September 2025, the Wildlife Estates (WE) Steering Committee met at the Fondation François Sommer in Paris to review the label’s challenges and priorities. European delegates shared recent achievements, while the Scientific Committee, now chaired by Professor Klaus HACKLÄNDER, led a focused discussion on methodology and future biodiversity objectives....
Guard or gardener? Rethinking nature stewardship and protection
Have you ever considered the difference between nature stewardship and nature protection? For most, they are synonyms describing the same thing – a caring attitude towards our environment. However, behind these two concepts lie two different philosophies and relationships with nature. This difference was pointed out decades ago by one...
November Newsletter
Dear Wildlife Estates network, The past few months have been an exciting period for Wildlife Estates Label. Accreditation processes are moving forward, our network of estates is connecting across the continent, and the dedication of numerous members has been recognized and celebrated. Highlights include the National and European Symposium of...
Behind the Scenes: Strategic Talks and Scientific Insights from Paris
On the same day as the National Meeting of the Wildlife Estates Label 2025, the Scientific Committee convened, marking an important moment with the election of its new chairman, Professor Klaus Hackländer. Klaus Hackländer studied Zoology at Philipps-University Marburg/Lahn and the University of Vienna. Today, he is a Full Professor...
Throwback to our latest events – Future for Rural Europe conference – From Ethical Land Management to Agrotourism Innovation
Last Friday, October 30th, the conference “Future for Rural Europe: From Ethical Land Management to Agrotourism Innovation” took place in Brussels at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). During the event, the European Erasmus+ project WESEM was presented to a large audience, highlighting the project’s mission to promote sustainable...
Two Wildlife Estates sites honoured with Baillet Latour environmental awards
By Alec van Havre — Member, Wildlife Estates Steering Committee for Flanders Lummen & Arendonk (Flanders), October 2025 — Landgoed Loye (Loye Estate) has won the 2025 Baillet Latour Award for the Environment, while Landgoed De Zeshonderd (De Zeshonderd Estate) received the Honourary Diploma and Encouragement Award. The awards, organised...
National Meeting of the Wildlife Estates Label 2025
In Paris, at the “Fondation François Sommer” on Tuesday 9 September, more than 115 people gathered in the Jacqueline Sommer auditorium to follow the debates between public decision-makers, private environmental stakeholders, researchers and certified landowners from a network of nearly 100 territories in France and 600 in Europe, representing more...
CountrySide Magazine
With a readership exceeding 15,000, including policymakers, academics, ELO members, and enthusiasts of rural areas worldwide, the CountrySide Magazine fuels impactful discourse. Published bi-monthly in English and French, this 16-page printed edition is a rallying point for the voices of land managers and rural entrepreneurs. It ensures their perspectives resonate and...
Wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations in Europe
A scientific review of population trends and implications for management. This report is based on 550 peer-reviewed scientific papers containing the words ‘wild boar’ and ‘Europe’ in their abstracts. The research papers are published in the period 1977-2017 and cover a wide range of topics. The systematic growth in the...
Wildlife Estates Scotland Newsletter
Catch up with the latest news from Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES)!The summer edition of the WES Newsletter is out now, featuring member achievements, updates on ‘Trusted Operator’ status, a call for images on best practice in game management, and details of the upcoming WES webinar on land and wildlife policy. Don’t miss...