Programme nearbyRewildingAmsterdamRewild abandoned farmlandLet retired fields become self-willed nature again Across Europe, marginal farmland is being abandoned. WILDCARD measures how natural vegetation recovery on those lands affects soil carbon, biodiversity, and community preferences. What you can do - Explore the abandoned agricultural land research stream - Map retired parcels near your town and ask who owns them, many regions lack a public conversation about wilding vs. development - Join local stakeholder forums where WILDCARD pilots dialogue with residents and decision-makers Why it matters When people leave the plough, wildflowers, scrub, and eventually forest can return, if communities choose patience over sprawl.abandoned landfarmlandsuccession +2
Programme nearbyRewildingAmsterdamProforestation: let forests grow oldHalt management and measure carbon and biodiversity gains The WILDCARD Horizon Europe project studies proforestation, leaving forests to mature without extraction, as a rewilding pathway that can store carbon and shelter rare species. What you can do - Read how WILDCARD assesses proforestation across Mediterranean and Alpine forests on their proforestation work page - Discuss where local woods could keep standing deadwood, old trees, and undisturbed understory - Follow project papers and the WILDCARD Rewilding Forum for stakeholder dialogue Why it matters Old forests are living archives, when we stop treating every stand as timber, climate and wild neighbours both benefit.proforestationforestcarbon +2
