On Friday, 3 July 2026, the environmental organization CALLISTO held a participatory workshop in Prespa, within the framework of the LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors project.

On Saturday, 4 July 2026, a series of events organized by the environmental organization CALLISTO took place in Chaliki, Aspropotamos, as part of the Trikala–Meteora Bear Smart Community, within the framework of the LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors project, focusing on human coexistence with wildlife.

A study co-authored by Rewilding Apennines and just published in Hystrix shows that the ecological corridors designed for the Marsican brown bear host high densities of eight other mammal species. Camera-trap monitoring opens a new perspective on the management of these areas.

The Abruzzo Region has allocated around €10 million to the five regional parks and eleven municipalities as part of the 2021–2027 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This long-awaited measure is now more necessary than ever to reduce wildlife mortality, mitigate human–wildlife conflict, and support the restoration of Abruzzo’s ecosystems.

A conversation in Kranea (Greece) about place, the brown bear, and the things that keep a village alive.

A delegation from the esteemed U.S. organization “People & Carnivores” is visiting the Central Apennines. Since 1992, this organization has worked to promote coexistence between rural communities in North America and large carnivores such as black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, and mountain lions. The purpose of this visit is to engage in constructive dialogue with the international organization to evaluate and exchange best practices, with the aim of improving human-bear coexistence strategies in the Central Apennines.

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.

An event to celebrate together the commitment of communities, associations, and local authorities in promoting long-term coexistence between humans and bears

At the end of the school year, an exciting event was held to recognize children and teenagers who participated in the educational program and the contest of LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors in Central Apennines. They demonstrated significant knowledge and awareness about human-bear coexistence.

In recent months, through a participatory approach, some Committees for the Bear-Smart Communities within the ecological corridors of the Central Apennines have become operational. This is an important step towards planning concrete, long-term actions for coexistence between humans and bears.