MAIN OBJECTIVES

1. Restore essential ecological structures and functions that support the conservation of vulnerable biodiversity and landscape elements in Putna Vrancea Park. This includes specific activities such as maintaining mountain meadows, restoring native fish populations in mountain rivers, and reducing human-induced pressures that could lead to unfavorable conservation status for butterfly, fish, and mammal species.

2. Capitalize on the potential of the natural landscape by diversifying nature-based recreation activities, facilitating tourist access—including for people with reduced mobility—to natural values, and defining the area as an ecotourism destination as a key element in the local community’s socio-economic development.

3. Increase the visibility of the natural and cultural values of Putna Vrancea Park at local, national, and international levels by producing and promoting high-quality media materials, diversifying communication channels, and organizing awareness-raising events.

4. Strengthen the partnership between the Putna Vrancea Nature Park Administration (APNPV), NGOs, and stakeholders with the goal of developing local institutions dedicated to conserving and promoting biodiversity and cultural landscapes in Putna Vrancea Park. This will include educational activities for children from local communities and organizing events and workshops aimed at building stakeholder relationships.

DETAILS

Duration: 27 March 2025 – 26 January 2027

Partners:

• Association for the Conservation of Biological Diversity (ACDB)
• Putna Vrancea Natural Park Administration (APNPV)
• Wild Romania Association (ARS)

The total budget of the project: 4,220,000.00 RON, of which AER’s budget is 480,646.00 RON
Funding Source: Funded by the OMV Petrom Foundation and developed by the Civil Society Development Foundation (FDSC) and ProPark – Foundation for Protected Areas.
Coordinator: Bogdan Papuc

ACTIVITIES

• Maintain grassland habitats and the characteristic cultural landscape of the Vrancea Mountains through traditional management and removal of invasive vegetation;
• Increase populations of native trout in watercourses affected by floods and torrents within Putna Vrancea Natural Park;
• Establish a permanent monitoring network for conservation-interest fauna and their habitats;
• Reduce human-bear conflicts by properly managing waste in the park;
• Decrease butterfly mortality by replacing cold light sources with warm light sources;
• Set up a mobile virtual wildlife observatory for people with disabilities, the elderly, children, and visitors;
• Lay the groundwork for transforming Putna Vrancea Natural Park into an ecotourism destination for “Țara Vrancei” by completing the necessary steps to obtain this status from the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism;
• Organize an annual event dedicated to promoting tourism in Putna Vrancea Natural Park;
• Create a multifunctional space dedicated to nature education and the management of the park’s natural and cultural values;
• Promote the natural park locally and nationally through film: produce short films about species in the park, organize school screenings and an open-air film projection;
• Organize nature photography workshops, an outdoor photo exhibition, and a photo album to promote the park’s natural and cultural values;
• Educational events and awareness campaigns: activities with students, participation in local and national public events to promote the natural park.