| Your Name | Jerom Nieuwenhuizen |
|---|---|
| TRP Cohort Assignment | Europe with In-Person Intensive in Lisbon, Winter-Spring 2024 |
| Study Cohort Members | Philip Lowndes, Ferdinand Meile, Silvia Coimbra, Vanessa Rothschild |
| Working Title of The Project (which we will use to refer to it throughout the series) | LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors |
| Project Location | Abruzzo Italy - Apennines |
| Nature of The Project (e.g. building, new community, economic development, etc.) | Community based initiative with economic development of enterprises that are related to the initiative |
| Why do you think this project is appropriate for the course assignment? | The project is part of Rewilding, an ecological concept. It aims to restore a pristine wilderness and natural ecological processes by reducing human intervention and other methods in a specific project area. As this is a partially populated area, conflicts of interest between different stakeholder groups are inevitable. The project serves as an example of how to maximise coexistence and co-evolution between humans and other species. The expansion of human habitats has severely suppressed other species and is one reason for dwindling biodiversity. According to one study, 60% of the biomass of all mammals worldwide are farm animals, while humans make up 36% and wild animals just 4% (!). The situation is similar for birds: 70% of the biomass is now accounted for by domesticated poultry, mainly chickens, while wild birds make up just 30%. (https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1711842115). The venture also provides the opportunity to adopt different perspectives when considering the relationship between humans and nature. On the one hand, the human-centred perspective, which makes a major distinction between humans and nature and often focuses primarily on the benefits of nature. The other, the eco-centred one, in which man is a part of nature and is concerned about the prosperity of all species. Location - Although this project is not directly in the community of any single member, it is in the home country of one of the students (Philip). He has some knowledge of the area and the targeted project. Also Philip will be visiting the area to be with the group in April. Project completion - This type of project will never be fully complete it is evolving, however, we anticipate that implementation to date has not been without its issues. The sustainability aims of the project are self evident in the larger objective of supporting apex predators that are needed to grow healthy sustainable, and importantly resilient, forests. The study group is not void of some concerns about the suitability but we are hopeful that some elements of this project vis a vis development of enterprises in the region will provide a variety of dimensions on which to focus. Also, after a significant amount of research it seems to be this groups best available option at this time. |
| Additional Useful Information | LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors aims to improve conditions for bears in critical dispersal corridors in Italy and Greece. These corridors will link national parks in the region. Ultimately, this will allow the bears to expand their range into new areas. A Bear Smart Community model has been adopted, which encourages cooperation between local communities, businesses, and individuals to prevent conflict between bears and humans. Also supporting nature-based enterprises in and around corridor areas, and raising awareness amongst local communities and people visiting the area. Follow the link for more information: https://rewilding-apennines.com/life-bear-smart-corridors/ |
| Date Created | March 5, 2024 |