Celebrate World Wildlife Day!

Today we celebrate the incredible diversity of wildlife on our planet: from iconic mammals and birds to butterflies, insects, old-growth forests and wild rivers that sustain life and ecosystem health.

World Wildlife Day-2026

World Wildlife Day celebrates the richness and beauty of wild animals and plants while reminding us how essential they are to our lives. It also calls for stronger action against wildlife crime and human-driven biodiversity loss, which affect our environment, economies, and societies.

In 2026, the theme “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods” emphasises the importance of these plants for human well-being, cultural traditions, and local communities and raises awareness about the increasing threats they face from habitat destruction, overexploitation, and climate change.

European Wilderness Society´s input

At theEuropean Wilderness Society, we are dedicated to protecting Europe’s last remaining wilderness areas and the wildlife that calls them home. As the only pan-European non-profit organisation, we contribute to the wilderness and wildlife conservation, we identify, designate, steward and promote wild places across Europe.

Why it matters

Wildlife around the world continues to face immense pressures: habitat loss, climate change, pollution and fragmentation – making conservation more urgent than ever. World Wildlife Day reminds us all of our collective responsibility to protect biodiversity for future generations.

Our Work Across Europe

European Wilderness Network – We partner with local organisations across multiple countries, supporting sustainable wildlife conservation strategies and knowledge exchange.

At ALFAwetlands we support collaborative efforts to protect and restore Europe’s wetlands – vital habitats for many species and key ecosystems for climate mitigation

Through our involvement in LIFEstockProtect, we help promote coexistence between wildlife and livestock by training farmers, strengthening protection measures, and reducing human-wildlife conflict across the Alps and beyond.

And with our Respect Nature initiative, we educate visitors and communities about how to enjoy and explore wild places responsibly, minimizing impacts and supporting long-term wildlife conservation.

Join us in celebrating World Wildlife Day: approach your community about wildlife importance or learn how you can help protect wilderness in Europe and beyond.

Because when wilderness thrives, wildlife thrives.