Implementation period: March 27, 2025 – January 26, 2027
The goal of the project "Putna Vrancea Park a Wild and Accessible Park for the Future" is to improve the conservation status of the defining biodiversity elements of the Putna - Vrancea Natural Park and create sustainable development facilities based on ecotourism for local communities.
"Putna Vrancea Park a Wild and Accessible Park for the Future" project is funded by the OMV Petrom Foundation through the "Green for the Future" program, 2.0 edition, developed by FDSC and ProPark.
The project is implemented by ACDB in partnership with the Administration of the Putna Vrancea Natural Park (APNPV), the Wild Romania Association and the Romanian Ecotourism Association (AER).
Objectives:
Restoring the ecological structure and essential functions for the conservation of vulnerable biodiversity and landscape elements in Putna Vrancea Park, through specific activities to maintain grasslands, restore the native ichthyofauna of mountain rivers and reduce anthropogenic pressures that can lead to an unfavorable conservation status of butterfly, fish and mammal species.
Capitalizing on the natural landscape by diversifying outdoor recreational activities, improving access to natural attractions—including for visitors with reduced mobility—and positioning the area as an eco-tourism destination are key drivers for the socio-economic development of the local community.
Increasing the visibility of the natural and cultural values of Putna Vrancea Park at local, national, and international levels through the production and promotion of high-quality media materials, diversification of communication channels, and the organization of information and awareness events.
Strengthening the partnership between the Putna Vrancea Natural Park Administration, NGOs, and other stakeholders with the aim of developing local institutions dedicated to the conservation and promotion of biodiversity and the cultural landscape of Putna Vrancea Park, through educational activities with children from local communities and the organization of events and workshops designed to strengthen relationships with and among stakeholders.
Activities:
• Maintaining grassland habitats and the cultural landscape characteristic of the Vrancea Mountains through traditional management practices and the removal of invasive vegetation;
• Increasing populations of native trout in watercourses affected by floods and torrential phenomena within the Putna Vrancea Natural Park;
• Establishing a permanent monitoring network for conservation-interest fauna and their habitats;
• Reducing human-bear conflicts by ensuring proper waste management within the Putna Vrancea Natural Park;
• Reducing butterfly mortality by replacing cold light sources with warm light alternatives;
• Creating a mobile virtual wildlife observatory dedicated to people with disabilities, the elderly, children, and visitors;
• Laying the groundwork for transforming the Putna Vrancea Natural Park into an eco-tourism destination for 'Țara Vrancei' by completing the necessary steps to obtain this status from the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism.
• Organizing an annual event dedicated to promoting tourism in the Putna Vrancea Natural Park;
• Establishing a multifunctional space dedicated to nature education activities and the management of the park's natural and cultural values;
• Promoting the natural park at local and national levels through film: producing short films about park species, organizing documentary film screenings in schools, and hosting an open-air film screening;
• Organizing nature photography workshops, creating an outdoor photography exhibition, and publishing a photo album to promote the park's natural and cultural values;
• Educational events and awareness campaigns: activities with students, participation in local or national public events to promote the natural park.
