Wildfires in the Mediterranean region are growing more severe, as highlighted by recent studies. Countries such as France, Spain, and Greece have experienced major fires that have exposed the limitations of current firefighting strategies. In response, an international research team from the University of Göttingen and the University of Kassel has proposed a new approach to landscape design that integrates wildfire prevention with nature conservation, agriculture, and rural development. Their findings, published in the journal iScience, suggest that a more comprehensive and collaborative strategy is needed to address the increasing threat of wildfires. The researchers analyzed 10 landscape planning initiatives across the Mediterranean to evaluate their impact on wildfire risk. These initiatives included practices such as extensive grazing by cattle, sheep, and goats to reduce dry, flammable vegetation, as well as controlled burning and cross-sector collaboration between agriculture, forestry, conservation groups, scientists, and fire services. The study found that the most effective strategies involved combining different land uses, engaging various social groups, and continuously adapting measures based on new insights. The study emphasizes that land use plays a crucial role in wildfire risk. Initiatives that successfully integrated ecological, economic, and social considerations were more effective in reducing fire risks. Rather than relying solely on reactive firefighting, the researchers advocate for a proactive, long-term approach to shaping landscapes that are more resilient to wildfires. This shift, they argue, can lead to solutions that are both ecologically effective and socially acceptable. Dr. Elsa Varela, lead author of the study and a Humboldt Fellow at the Universities of Göttingen and Kassel, explains that wildfires result from complex interactions between climate, land use, and societal changes. She highlights that successful prevention requires bringing together diverse stakeholders to combine ecological, economic, and social goals. Professor Tobias Plieninger adds that a landscape-based approach can align wildfire prevention with biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use. He stresses the need for strong partnerships, long-term funding, and collaborative learning between science, policy, and practical implementation to achieve lasting results.