Since our foundation, we have been passionately dedicated to raising public awareness of the importance of nature and wildlife, with a particular focus on the wolf. Through educational and outreach activities and immersive experiences in nature, we accompany people on a journey of knowledge and awareness. Our mission is to promote a deep understanding of the crucial role that wolves and biodiversity play in ecosystems, encouraging respect and commitment to their protection.
These moments of direct connection with the natural environment and local communities not only enrich those who experience them, but create ambassadors of important values such as conservation, coexistence and sustainability.
To give even more strength to this mission, today we are opening a new opportunity for all professionals in natural environment accompaniment: become certified guides “I am not afraid of the wolf”. Our goal is to train professionals capable of telling the story of the wolf and its world in an authentic, engaging way based on solid scientific foundations. These operators will be able to organize events and activities sharing the spirit of the Association and spread our vision and our goals related to the conservation of this extraordinary - and sometimes misunderstood - predator, also dedicating space to the story of the other fauna that inhabits our country.
Participation in the training course is reserved for qualified guides who have a good knowledge of wolf biology and ethology (Canis lupus). Obtaining the certification is subject to acceptance of the regulations, defined by a specific resolution of the Board of Directors, and upon completion of the Certified Guide Course I'm not afraid of the wolf, which will be held on 5 and 6 April 2025 and 3 and 4 May 2025 and which includes a final test to verify the skills acquired.
NB. ALL COURSES ARE FULL
COURSE PROGRAM
April 5 - 6, 2025 (full) / 3 – 4 May 2025 (full)
Ghirardi Nature Reserve Visitor Center
Borgo Val di Taro (PR)
Saturday 3 May 2025
(total 10 hours)
9.00 hours
– Introduction to the course
– Introduction of participants
11:00
- Coffee break
11.30 hours
– Field trip to the protected area (with packed lunch)
Topic: environmental interpretation, recognition traces signs of presence, monitoring techniques, approach to natural environments, ethics in observation.
16:00
– Return to the visitor center / coffee break
16.30 hours
– Knowing the wolf
– Questions and Answers
19:30
– Closing of the day and (for those who want to join) pizza together
Sunday 4 May 2025
(total 10 hours)
08:00
– Communicating the wolf: methods, critical issues and complexity
– Questions and Answers
10:00
- Coffee break
10:30
– Prevention systems and conflicts with livestock protection dogs: meeting and discussion with Elena and Roberto, a small group that lives in the Ghirardi Nature Reserve and with their guard dogs.
Topic: The importance of grazing for ecosystems. The importance of shepherd farmers who practice extensive grazing in the territories. Problems and critical issues. Why use dogs? What are dogs for? How do they behave? How should you behave in case of an encounter? What are the conflicts with the users of the territory? How should guides behave?
13:30
Lunch break (offered by INHPDL)
14.30 hours
– Individual interviews and evaluation
18:00
– Course closure
COURSE TRAINERS
Daniel Ecotti
Founding partner
President
AIGAE ER940
Elena Gabbi
Founding member
Member of the Board of Directors
Simone Giosso
Partner
AIGAE LI267
Francis Romito
Vice President/Communications Manager
Member of the Board of Directors
Guido Sardella
Founding partner
Member of the Board of Directors
AIGAE ER377
Initiative sponsored by the Italian Association of Environmental Hiking Guides
– The participation fee is €120,00
– The participation fee for members of Io non ho paura del lupo and AIGAE in good standing with the 2025 annual membership is €100,00
– AIGAE guides will be awarded 8 training credits.
– Registrations will be accepted in chronological order.
– The outcome will be communicated to participants via email by April 13, 2025
– The cost of the course does not include the cost of meals, travel, accommodation.
– The cost of the course includes teaching materials
– Certificate of participation sent in PDF format by email by April 13, 2025
All courses are fully booked.

