Fagaras wilderness model gathers momentum

Recognition for an outstanding conservation achievement

A special award for the directors of FCC

Barbara and Christoph Promberger, directors of Fundatia Conservation Carpathia (FCC) in Romania, last week received the highly prestigious Federal Cross of Merit from German Federal President Steinmeier.

Their work in protecting very large areas of wild forest and montane shrub and grassland, for nature and local communities, was described as “outstanding”.

At its heart is their dedication to supporting creation of a world class 250,000 hectare National Park in the Fagaras Mountains, aiming to address the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, while benefiting the regional economy.

Wild Europe is honoured to have been involved in the development of the Fagaras initiative through a trusteeship since its inception.

Strength in numbers – size matters

Over 15 years since its founding, the Fagaras initiative has become an icon of conservation, an inspiring example for achievement of EU and CBD global conservation targets.

28,000 hectares purchased for strict and permanent protection, including some of Europe’s last great expanses of old growth forest

Fagaras, a spectacular panorama of achievement

80,500 hectares already free from hunting, for species recovery

4.5 million trees planted, regenerating degraded forests, along with 23 klms of riverine forest and other habitat

140,000 tons of additional carbon stored through avoided logging and conservation, Verifiable Carbon Units (VCUs) available for funding

Non-intervention following restoration, except for alien species removal, pheromone-based bark beetle control and a comprehensive programme of human:wildlife coexistence measures

Enrichment of biodiversity – thriving existing species of wolf, bear, lynx, chamois, eagle. Reintroduced species of bison, beaver and vulture arriving, with grayling & native trout in the rivers. At a scale where nature can evolve, adapt and build resilience.

What particularly distinguishes the Fagaras initiative is also its work alongside local people, supporting development of a local green economy, to benefit communities and land owners across the area:

Direct employment of over 350 personnel

An expanding tourism programme, with visitor centres in local villages and mini lodges in the mountains

A food hub already supporting over 30 local producers

An education programme currently involving over 2,200 teachers and students

Growing spin-off from rising numbers of ecotourism visitors for local accommodation and crafts

An extensive communications strategy, with 2,300 articles & news stories read over 25 million times in Romania, reaching international audiences through National Geographic, New York Times and many other publication

Community support programmes, clubs and events, trails and fairs. The 3 day “Fagaras Fest” this summer outside Sibiu attracted over 7,000 visitors, generating nearly 370,000 Euro of spending in the local community

Fagaras Mountains, in the heart of the Southern Romanian Carpathians

Wider messages

Equally valuable is the demonstration of how non extractive ecosystem services associated with strict protection – mitigation of climate change key among them – can bring substantial funding benefits: potential revenue from carbon and biodiversity credits adding to nature tourism receipts.

There’s a timely message here for the so-called green EU Bioeconomy Strategy, published at the end of November, to achieve a proper balance between production and protection, which recognizes not just the intrinsic value of nature, but the economic and funding potential of non-intervention ecosystem management that goes with strict protection in Fagaras.

There is little doubt that replication of the Fagaras initiative through the Carpathian Mountain range, and in other areas across Europe, can bring a host of benefits – for climate, biodiversity and the economy. Watch this space…