Events, courses, and treks 2026: On the road with I'm Not Afraid of the Wolf, to learn about wolves, wildlife, and the natural environments of the Alps and Apennines.

March 21st and 22nd 2026
Certified Guide Course I'm Not Afraid of the Wolf
Ghirardi WWF Oasis Regional Nature Reserve
Borgo Val di Taro (PR)

The third edition of the "I'm Not Afraid of the Wolf" Certified Guide training program is open exclusively to certified guides, environmental hiking guides, medium-mountain guides, and mountain guides with a solid knowledge of wolf biology and ethology. The course aims to provide solid, up-to-date skills to describe wolves—and wildlife more generally—in an engaging and scientifically rigorous manner, using effective communication tools. Special attention will be paid to the responsibilities associated with leading groups in territories frequented by the predator. Participants will also acquire theoretical and practical skills in coexistence, prevention, and conflict management in wolf-inhabited areas.

A two-day training course, open to all and with no prerequisites, dedicated to understanding the wolf and its coexistence with human activities. The program combines theory and practice, addressing biology and ethology, monitoring techniques and identification of signs of its presence, landscape interpretation, conflict management and outreach, and a reflection on ethics and conservation. Through guided excursions and field workshops, participants will acquire concrete tools to understand the ecological role of the wolf and promote sustainable coexistence with humans.

Two days dedicated to children, designed to introduce them to nature with clear and reliable information, stimulating their curiosity and respect for the environment through observation and understanding. The camp will focus on learning about the wolf and will alternate educational sessions, games, workshops, and excursions into the Reserve, where children, like little explorers, will learn to observe and interpret the landscape through tracks, trails, footprints, and signs of wildlife. Among the many activities planned, we will also make plaster casts from animal footprints found in the wild.

A two-day training course, open to all and with no prerequisites, dedicated to understanding the wolf (Canis lupus) and its coexistence with human activities. The course combines theory and practice, addressing the species' biology and ethology, monitoring techniques, sign recognition, landscape interpretation, conflict management, and outreach, all the way to a reflection on ethics and conservation.
Through guided excursions and field workshops, participants will acquire practical tools to understand the ecological role of the wolf and promote more conscious and sustainable coexistence. The course will take place in Lessinia (VR), at the welcoming Contrada Larici facility, an ideal base for alternating training sessions with fieldwork in the plateau's landscapes, with a focus on the recent history of the wolf's return to Lessinia.

11 and 12 July 2026
Training Course: The Large Carnivores of the Alps
Trentino
Location TBA

A two-day training course, open to all and with no prerequisites, dedicated to understanding the large carnivores of the Alps and their coexistence with human activities. The course combines theory and practice, exploring wolves, bears, and lynxes: biology and ethology, ecological role, land use, and the main dynamics of coexistence in the Alpine environment.

Through guided excursions and field workshops, we will work on monitoring techniques and reading signs of presence (tracks, signs, markings, and other clues), interpreting the landscape and ecological corridors, conflict management and best prevention practices, and developing communication and outreach tools, with a final reflection on ethics and conservation. The goal is to provide participants with practical skills to observe and understand these animals correctly and respectfully, and to contribute to a more informed and sustainable coexistence.

from 16 to 19 July 2026
Dispersal, tracking wolves between Emilia and Liguria
Upper Taro Valley (PR) / Aveto Regional Park (GE)

Four days of walking between Emilia and Liguria, amidst the silence of the Apennines and glimpses of the sea, to learn about wolves and the theme of coexistence. Traveling through woods and ridges, we'll follow scenic trails in search of tracks and signs of the packs we monitor, alternating hikes, wildlife observation, and moments of sharing. The camp includes an in-depth scientific workshop on wolves led by Daniele Ecotti and a presentation of the book "I'm Not Afraid of the Wolf" by Tommaso D'Errico, which will explore the theme of coexistence between humans and predators.

This year, we're celebrating the 10th anniversary of "I'm Not Afraid of the Wolf." Two days dedicated to learning about wolves and discussing topics such as tourism, the local area, and animal husbandry, with the participation of nature photographer Gianluca Damiani, who will share his work and field experiences. This will be followed by a convivial gathering with aperitifs and cicchetti from the mountain hut.

Free entry

Two hands-on days in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park to learn how to read nature through the signs of wildlife: not just recognize a track, but interpret it and reconstruct what happened. We'll work on tracks, trails, and signs of presence, markings, and scrapes, as well as gait patterns and movement patterns, to understand not only who passed by, but how the animal moved and what it was doing at that point (exploring, feeding, marking, habitual passage).

The course alternates fieldwork with targeted in-depth studies of the biology and ethology of the main Apennine species, connecting clues to behavior and land use, building coherent and solid interpretations. The course concludes with an introduction to non-invasive monitoring using photo and video traps: site selection, positioning, basic settings, and best practices for collecting useful data while respecting the animals and the environment. A PDF certificate of participation will be issued, and AIGAE training credits will be awarded.

An immersive experience combining nature and awareness, to slow down, observe, and rediscover an authentic relationship with the environment. Through exploration, discussion, and hands-on activities, the event promotes reconnection with nature and coexistence with wildlife. A journey combining scientific dissemination and direct experience, to understand the dynamics of coexistence, develop observation skills, and build a space for dialogue and community.

Two days of adventure to learn about the wildlife of our mountains and how to photograph it effectively and respectfully, through educational modules and nature stakeouts. The workshop will include field photography excursions, photography technique lessons, and dedicated nature studies, helping you understand where to look and how to interpret situations and signs of animal presence to obtain good photos. Special emphasis will also be placed on photographic ethics, respect, and safety, learning how to make ourselves "invisible" during our stakeouts to minimize disturbance. The course will be held at the La Ventura association headquarters, in a natural setting ideal for combining education and field trips.