Project activities
A1.1 – Assessing forest habitat change due to succession in Romania
Summary (context & justification):
New woodlands from abandoned pastures have emerged in Maramureș County. Though valuable for biodiversity, they are unmapped, unmanaged, and legally considered meadows. They are vulnerable to clearance, despite supporting species like bears and lynx. Identifying and managing them aligns with EU biodiversity targets and mitigates human-wildlife conflicts.
Execution of activity:
Field identification of woodlands outside the forestry fund by WWF RO MM.
Creation of GIS database and maps via external contractor.
Development of legal and management guidelines via national and transboundary working groups.
Outputs:
GIS database for RO and joint RO-UA GIS database
National working group report (min. 20 participants)
RO report and guidelines (RO, UA, ENG)
RO-UA harmonized guidelines
Map-based spatial dataset
Location: Maramureș County (Romania)
Summary (context & justification):
Similar to Romania, new forest habitats in Ukrainian Maramureș are unmapped and legally considered pastures. Their clearance could impact species such as large carnivores. Mapping and managing them would help stabilize ecosystems and reduce wildlife conflict.
Execution of activity:
RET UA experts to identify habitats and collect spatial data
Develop GIS database and harmonize with RO
Develop national-level management measures
Compile joint spatial database for RO-UA
Outputs:
GIS database and habitat maps (UA)
Compiled RO-UA transboundary spatial database
National WG report (20 participants)
UA national guidelines (UA, ENG)
Location: Ukrainian Maramureș region, including Verkhovynskyi NNP
Summary (context & justification):
HWC events often go unrecorded or unmanaged. Real-time camera traps and AI can detect large carnivores near settlements and send alerts. This reduces danger, helps allocate resources, and generates risk maps to prioritize interventions.
Execution of activity:
Early warning system developed by WWF RO MM and contracted provider
Camera operation by AJVPS MM (RO) and NNPV (UA)
National HWC studies and GIS database compilation
Transboundary HWC report development
Outputs:
Web platform and GIS database (RO, UA, SK)
Early warning system in RO and UA
3 national monitoring reports (RO, UA, SK)
Transboundary HWC report
Location: Maramureș County (RO), Verkhovynskyi NNP (UA), Poloniny NP (SK)
Summary (context & justification):
Local residents regularly observe wildlife but lack a way to report sightings. A multilingual app would allow people to contribute to monitoring and conflict prevention while increasing engagement and ownership of conservation.
Execution of activity:
App developed by Aevis in RO, UA, SK languages
Data protocols and volunteer recruitment by partners
Analysis and integration of submitted data into GIS platform
Outputs:
1 citizen science mobile app
Summary report with data and findings (infographics, maps)
Location: Entire SKROUA region
AG 2: Habitat Restoration and Connectivity
Summary (context & justification):
Foraging meadows in forests are overgrown and have lost biodiversity. Restoration through mowing, seeding, and planting fruit-bearing shrubs will increase food availability for large carnivores, reduce conflicts, and support ecological connectivity.
Execution of activity:
WWF RO MM to contract restoration services
Work coordinated with Maramureș Nature Park Administration and Forest Directorate
MoUs signed for long-term maintenance
Outputs:
5 ha of pasture and 1,000 m of forest edge restored
MoUs with at least 2 institutions
Location: Maramureș Mountains Nature Park (Romania)
Summary (context & justification):
Bears and herbivores need diverse food sources. Restoring pastures and enhancing trout habitats through rocky drops will help reduce wildlife movements toward human areas and support ecosystem health.
Execution of activity:
RET UA contracts experts for restoration and stream engineering
Coordination with Verkhovynskyi NNP
Outputs:
4 ha of meadow restored
20 trout-supporting rocky drops built
2 MoUs with stakeholders
Location: Verkhovynskyi NNP (Ukraine)
Summary (context & justification):
Quiet zones for wildlife are undermined by forestry activities. Coordinating wildlife and forest managers can improve conservation outcomes and reduce habitat fragmentation.
Execution of activity:
WWF RO MM to organize 2 workshops
Field studies and data collection
GIS database of overlaps between quiet zones and logging
Outputs:
Guideline for harmonization
Study report
GIS database and maps
Location: Pilot site in Strâmbu Băiuț Forest Management Unit (Romania)
Summary (context & justification):
Abandoned orchards in Poloniny NP serve as bear feeding grounds, potentially reducing human-bear conflicts. Their management can preserve this function and prevent future risks.
Execution of activity:
Aevis maps orchards and monitors bear presence with camera traps
Stakeholder engagement and report drafting
Outputs:
Monitoring report and recommendations
15 meeting summaries with locals
2 field visits and 2 workshops
Location: Poloniny National Park (Slovakia)
AG 3: Human-Wildlife Coexistence and Conflict Prevention
Summary (context & justification):
Although legal frameworks for intervention units exist, teams lack resources and training. Strengthening AJVPS MM’s capacity will improve rapid and effective response to human-wildlife conflicts.
Execution of activity:
Equipment procurement by AJVPS MM
Field interventions based on early-warning data
Training sessions and formal cooperation agreements with local authorities
Outputs:
1 equipped and trained intervention unit
5 formal agreements with town halls
10 trained personnel
Intervention protocol and deterrent use guidelines
Location: Maramureș County (Romania)
Summary (context & justification):
Verkhovynskyi NNP manages significant natural areas but lacks professional capacity for conflict prevention. Strengthening its protection and scientific departments is key to addressing HWC risks.
Execution of activity:
RET UA purchases equipment (ATV, electric fences, deterrents)
Field monitoring and response by NNPV staff
Trainings and stakeholder workshops
Outputs:
1 equipped and trained intervention unit (NNPV)
6 MoUs with key stakeholders
15 trained experts
2 regional workshops
Location: Verkhovynskyi NNP (Ukraine)
Summary (context & justification):
Slovakia has strong models for HWC management. Experience sharing will support institutional learning and foster collaboration across SKROUA.
Execution of activity:
Aevis organizes 3-day experience exchange event
Roundtable discussions and field visits with Slovak stakeholders
Outputs:
1 transboundary exchange visit (min. 20 participants)
10 Romanian and Ukrainian experts with improved skills
Location: Poloniny National Park (Slovakia)
Summary (context & justification):
Testing, promoting, and mainstreaming tools like electric fences and fox lights is crucial to ensure long-term impact. Policy dialogue will support scaling and sustainability.
Execution of activity:
Implementation of deterrent tools in pilot sites
Local and national promotion events
Policy briefs developed and shared
Outputs:
6+ sites protected with deterrent tools
6 promotion events (including 1 international online)
2 national policy reports (RO, UA)
3 letters of policy support
MoUs to support sustainability
Location: National and regional levels in Romania, Ukraine, and Slovakia
Summary (context & justification):
Engaging youth in conservation builds future stewardship. Educational materials and field experiences will foster understanding and commitment to biodiversity.
Execution of activity:
Development of an educational guide in 4 languages
Implementation in 4 pilot schools
Organization of national debates and international summer camp
Outputs:
Educational guide (RO, UA, SK, ENG)
3 national debates, 1 international youth debate
1 summer camp (min. 18 participants)
Location: Schools in SK, RO, UA; summer camp in Poloniny NP (Slovakia).
