In 2026, Italy’s Central Apennines will become the focal point of international bear conservation, focusing on the Marsican brown bear and coexistence between people and wildlife. From September 20 to 25, Pescasseroli will host two significant gatherings: the International Conference of the IBA – International Association for Bear Research and Management – and the final conference of the LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors initiative.
Why such a conference
With about 60 individuals remaining, the survival of the Marsican brown bear depends on innovative approaches to share space with people living in the region. The conference, announced more than a year in advance, signals a momentous occasion and aims to bring together hundreds of international experts, including scientists, professionals, authorities, NGOs, and local communities to share knowledge and strengthen solutions to foster the complex interactions between the species and human populations.
Some partners of the LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors initiative—Rewilding Europe, Rewilding Apennines, the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, and Salviamo l’Orso—have proposed the Central Apennines, based in Pescasseroli, as the venue for the IBA conference, and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security shared the idea. This event, held approximately every two years in different continents, attracts hundreds of researchers, professionals, students, and bear enthusiasts worldwide. The proposal emphasizes activities aimed at protecting and conserving one of the world’s most endangered bear populations, closely linked to the challenges posed by small but widespread human communities, their activities, and infrastructure. At the same time, it highlights the commitment of many communities to reduce threats to the species and promote its expansion in the Central Apennines, Italy’s wild heart.
The decision to host the IBA conference in the Central Apennines reflects international recognition of the “Bear-Smart Community” approach. In the core area of the Marsican brown bear, human-bear coexistence has changed and evolved over the decades, both in theory and in practice. Tested for ten years—initially in one community and later expanded to 15 more through co-funding from the European Commission via the LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors initiative—has shown promising results, including reduction of threats to bears, increased awareness and grassroots actions supporting human-bear coexistence, and a sense of local pride that such approach can arise. It was these successes that convinced the IBA Board to approve the conference in 2025, with the event scheduled for September 20-25, 2026, coinciding with the LIFE BSC deadline.
“It’s an honor and privilege for IBA to work with LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors partners to hold a conference focused on the highly endangered Marsican brown bear and celebrate the success of this initiative. IBA conferences offer the unique opportunity of global networking for bear biologists and share the work being done in local communities. The conference in Pescasseroli will showcase the important conservation and community work done in the wild heart of Italy, allowing biologists from around the world to take back lessons learned to their own local communities. This conference reflects IBA’s commitment to building partnerships, advancing research, supporting work in local communities and advocating for solutions that benefit both bears and people.”, stated Jennapher Teunissen van Manen, Director of Operations and Programs at International Association for Bear Research and Management.
Living with wildlife in practice
Having the event in the Central Apennines highlights how rewilding can deliver hope for people and nature, showcasing that Europe can share with large carnivores. The five-day program will feature scientific and socio-cultural sessions, research presentations, exchange of best practices, exploration of the stunning Apennine landscapes, tastings of local gastronomy. Together, these will showcase the Apennines as Italy’s wild heart and as a reference place for coexistence.
Annette Mertens, Rewilding Europe’s Landscape Manager and coordinator for Rewilding Apennines, stated: “Promoting coexistence between bears and local communities is the core of the LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors initiative. Hosting our final conference during the IBA gathering is a powerful opportunity to share these successes with a global audience and to inspire similar approaches elsewhere.”
Mario Cipollone, team leader of Rewilding Apennines and long-time advocate for human-bear coexistence, added: “We are extremely proud to organise this significant international event in the Central Apennines, which is eagerly awaited by a global community dedicated to bear conservation. It will shine a spotlight not only on the biological uniqueness of the Marsican brown bear but also on its behavioural and cultural significance.”
Pescasseroli, known as the “capital” of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, with its environmental and cultural features and hospitality opportunities, will become the vibrant hub of this international event. The town will host the conference in specially prepared venues, with contributions from the local municipality, industry associations, entrepreneurs, and other organizations.
Giovanni Cannata, President of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, highlighted, “This event in Pescasseroli, in collaboration with the IBA, is a crucial global platform for discussing bear conservation. It offers a valuable opportunity to understand conservation challenges, research, and best practices worldwide, and to highlight the reality of the Marsican brown bear.” He emphasized that the park, a core area for the species, has been dedicated to its protection and expansion for over a century. “The LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors initiative has enabled more attentive planning with local communities to increase awareness of what it truly means to share territory with bears. Such international initiatives influence local conservation strategies and provide a broader framework for safeguarding the species. Knowledge sharing among global researchers, biologists, and naturalists reinforces collective efforts and determination to face future challenges.”, he added.
Building bridges beyond the Apennines…
Following the conference, a guided field trip to Trentino will be organized, in collaboration with the Autonomous Province of Trento, for those wishing to continue the experience. The aim is to foster dialogue among institutions, citizens, experts, and media, emphasizing correct information, responsibility, and awareness of the challenges and opportunities that the brown bear presents to communities and the environment of Central-Eastern Alps.
The conference is financed by the European Commission’s LIFE program and by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, which enthusiastically supports the initiative.
… and across times
Stefano Orlandini, president of Salviamo l’Orso, commented: “The IBA, a globally oriented organisation but always sensitive and attentive to local or regional initiatives aimed at protecting the bear and its habitat, ten years ago supported with a small grant one of Salviamo l’Orso’s first and most significant projects—the Bear-Smart Community Genzana—and it is nice to meet again after all this time to organise together a conference that will give wide resonance to the commitment that organizations like ours, together with other institutional and international partners, have been putting in place for many years to keep as much as possible out of the risk of extinction the small population of the Marsican brown bear.”
In 2026 local communities and partners will be able to show how much work has been done, but above all how much remains to be done, because coexistence is not something you conquer but something you must live every day, through concrete actions and shared purposes. Only in this way it will be possible to ensure a long-term future for the Apennine bear.
Further updates and registration details for the event will be announced soon.