The Sámi connection

Empowering rewilding through indigenous knowledge

The Sámi connection

Empowering rewilding through indigenous knowledge

A people in harmony with nature

The native Sámi of northern Scandinavia and the Russian Kola Peninsula have lived in harmony with nature for centuries. Their age-old, semi-nomadic lifestyle based on reindeer herding, fishing, hunting, and gathering attunes to the cycle and rhythm of northern seasons. Strong reliance on nature has fostered an awareness of sustainable living. The Sámi is known for harvesting just what they need from nature, leaving space for future generations. Their knowledge, acquired over several generations, includes precise observations of native fauna, flora, and climate patterns. Rotational grazing avoid overuse and maintain biodiversity. Sámi culture is also rich in nature spirit and tradition which respect interdependence and inherent value of all things in the natural world, ranging from mountains and river to forest.

Working closely with the Sámi people of the Nordic Taiga, Rewilding Sweden looks to tap this valuable information in its mission to rewild.

Threatened by land use and a warming climate

In the Nordic Taiga, climate change, expanding wind and hydropower infrastructure, and industrial forestry are disrupting semi-wild reindeer migration routes. These factors also reduce food availability by depleting ground lichens. Vast plantations of invasive contorta pine further degrade grazing lands and hinder movement, forcing herders to rely on supplementary food and road transport. Forest degradation accelerates the effects of climate change by reducing the landscape’s carbon storage, with some northern Swedish forests now emitting more carbon than they store. Milder winters prevent rivers from freezing solidly, making ice crossings unsafe. Fluctuating winter temperatures create hard ice layers in the snow, blocking reindeer from accessing scarce lichens. If thinned branches and twigs also cover the ground, winter grazing becomes even more difficult.

“Since 1953, ground lichen cover has decreased by 70% – a loss driven by forestry practices and climate change. This threatens reindeer survival in winter and, in turn, reduces their beneficial grazing impact on the taiga ecosystem during snow-free seasons.”

Collaborating with the Sámi to restore nature

The Sámi are key advocates for nature preservation, raising awareness about the impacts of climate change and exploitation on delicate ecosystems. Their deep-rooted traditions serve as a vital reminder of the balance required for sustainable coexistence with nature. The vision and efforts of Rewilding Sweden align closely with the Sámi way of life. The forests where Sámi reindeer herds thrive are the same pristine ecosystems that support diverse wildlife and natural processes. Together with landowners, Sámi groups, and the Vindelälven-Juhttátahkka Biosphere Reserve, we are working to restore blue-green corridors that support reindeer grazing – which in turn boosts plant species richness – and Sámi culture. These efforts also focus on improving waterways, surrounding landscapes, and fostering broader ecosystem recovery to protect the Nordic Taiga’s biodiversity.

Explore ‘Path of the reindeer’ >>

“In collaboration with Sámi groups, Rewilding Sweden integrate indigenous knowledge to map restoration needs across the Nordic Taiga. This serves as a strong foundation for future ambitious rewilding efforts.”

Hanging lichens in old-growth forests are a crucial alternative food source for reindeer in winter, as the scarce ground lichens are becoming increasingly inaccessible due to multilayered ice sheets caused by climate change and fluctuating temperatures.