Walk the Talk: How a Collective in Sicily is Rewilding From the Ground Up

In Sicily, an island of ancient landscapes and deep-rooted traditions, change can be slow. Grand ideas are often discussed, but action can lag behind. Yet, a dynamic group is proving that a different way is possible—one that is pragmatic, community-led, and deeply connected to the land.

They are Collettivo Rewild Sicily (CRS), a non-profit collective demonstrating that restoring nature and revitalising communities are two sides of the same coin. We spoke with Co-Founder, Hanna Rasper, and Communications Lead, Helen Hecker, to learn about their "feet on the ground, head in the clouds" philosophy and how they are creating a blueprint for a nature-positive future, one project at a time.

Collettivo Rewild Sicily - © Mathia Coco

A philosophy of action

CRS was born from an inspiring idea: rewilding. It’s a concept that Hanna describes as occupying the "sweet spot between utopia and pragmatism." But unlike many initiatives that remain on paper, their first project took them from dreaming to doing. Hanna credits this in part to her participation in MOYO’s Nature Positive Tourism training, which she wrote about in her blog ‘From Dreams to Reality’. 

"Our philosophy is lived rather than written," Hanna explains. "It’s a bottom-up process that starts with people." This means being physically present, meeting farmers, shepherds, and residents in their own neighbourhoods, and understanding the complex systems—like the devastating cycle of wildfires—that affect their lives.

"In Italy, people often talk a lot about things, but actions are really slow. We decided, instead, to take a ‘walk the talk’ approach."

This hands-on approach has attracted a growing number of people who are jaded by inaction. The collective’s work focuses on overlooked areas, bringing energy and innovation where it's needed most.

Projects that weave nature and community together

CRS’s initiatives are powerful examples of how to combine ecological restoration with community engagement to build long-term resilience.

Collettivo Rewild Sicily - © Mathia Coco

The Forest of the Seven Heavens (Bosco dei Sette Cieli)

In the fire-prone Moarda Valley, CRS has partnered with a local female shepherd, Rossella Calascibetta*, and the platform WOWnature to create a community-based food forest. The project involves planting nearly two thousand native trees and shrubs across seven distinct vegetation layers.

This forest is designed to be a refuge for wildlife, providing food and habitat year-round. But it’s also a powerful tool for fire prevention. A strategic shrub barrier helps slow the spread of flames, while the farm's goats conduct controlled grazing to reduce flammable grass biomass. The project is a living example of restoring natural cycles while protecting the community. People from all over the world can even adopt a tree to support the initiative, and are invited to plant it themselves in the next community planting event in October 2025!

*Rossella has a piece of a forest and is demonstrating that, with her c. 100 goats, woodland grazing can be sustainable and helpful. In recent years, her forest has repeatedly been affected by large wildfires that almost destroyed her entire livelihood—driving her motivation to become a partner in this reforestation-food forest project.

Collettivo Rewild Sicily - © Mathia Coco

Mapping the River Pollina

In a citizen science project supported by the European Open River Programme, CRS is mapping and documenting the River Pollina. Volunteers are trained to collect data and identify man-made infrastructure that could be removed to "free the river" from all barriers, allowing it to re-naturalise its course. This is part of a wider, more complex dam removal initiative in collaboration with CIRF, and serves as a tangible way for ordinary people to contribute directly to ecological restoration. The initial phase of mapping and preparation began last year, and this year’s efforts focus on technical assessments—with the Region of Sicily confirming its financial and bureaucratic support.

Common Grounds

Wildfires in Sicily are locked in a vicious cycle with fire-prone landscapes and the loss of traditional land-management knowledge. In collaboration with the University of Palermo, CRS is running community planning sessions to develop a shared land management plan. This initiative aims to break the cycle by re-introducing practical, traditional techniques and empowering the community to protect itself.

The challenge of measuring what matters

For a grassroots organisation, one of the biggest hurdles is measuring impact, especially when project funding rarely covers it. CRS is tackling this by building relationships with universities to conduct pre- and post-project surveys, soil analysis, and bird counts.

However, they see impact as more than just data. "We think of it as a thermostat that we poke into our communities every now and then," says Hanna. 

The real success is seen in the connections between projects and the small victories that prove change is possible, slowly chipping away at the disbelief that things can be different.

Overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and a mentality of "it's impossible" remains their most significant long-term challenge. But as Hanna notes, every successful project provides a powerful counter-narrative: “It’s impossible, until it’s done.”

How to travel with positive impact

CRS believes deeply in the potential for a more responsible, community-benefiting tourism industry. For travellers wanting to contribute, their advice is simple but profound.

1. Meet Local People: Step away from the curated, performative tourist experiences. Seek out real people and authentic connections.

2. Give Something Back: "Don’t just consume a place and its authenticity," urges Hanna. "Bring your fresh perspectives, share your stories, and leave something of value with the people you meet. It's an exchange, not just a transaction."

3. Share Your Experience: The stories you tell others shape a destination's reputation. Share the authentic, positive experiences you had to encourage others to travel more thoughtfully.

Collettivo Rewild Sicily - © Mathia Coco

An open invitation

At its core, Collettivo Rewild Sicily is a testament to the power of collective action. "We want to demonstrate that you don’t need to be an ecologist to be part of this," Helen emphasises. "Ecological processes are always connected to social processes." Their projects are designed with herders, farmers, scientists, and designers—everyone has value to add.

Their message to the world is one of connection and collaboration.

"This is an invitation to open a dialogue with those doing similar work across the world. We want to connect the 'tribe' globally for an exchange of knowledge, ideas, and suggestions."

Collettivo Rewild Sicily isn't just restoring an ecosystem; it's restoring faith in what's possible when people come together.

Get Involved:

• Connect with Collettivo Rewild Sicily via social media or directly with Hanna. They promise they will always try to respond!

• Start a conversation and share your own projects and ideas.

• If you're in Sicily, look out for an open day at their office. All are welcome.

• Support their work by adopting a tree in the Forest of the Seven Heavens.

• Be like Hanna and join MOYO's next Nature Positive Tourism field training!