Aristocrats on the Steppe: Restoring a Homeland for Hungarian Meadow Vipers

Aristocrats on the Steppe: Restoring a Homeland for Hungarian Meadow Vipers

These vipers have a long history regarding human activity in Eastern Europe. Native to multiple countries, they were integral to meadow ecosystems. Primarily because of agricultural endeavors, by the year 2000, the species was limited to only two sites in Hungary, and just 500 vipers were believed to survive in the wild. The Budapest Zoo approached CPSG in 2001 to lead a workshop where stakeholder groups with differing views of the meadow vipers’ situation could clarify the available information and address the issues surrounding the species’ decline. Facing many difficulties, CPSG helped facilitate a conservation plan involving buying and using farmland to create a breeding program. 

panorama
East Europe
Europe
Visit page

Related content

Neotropical primates : a newsletter of the Neotropical Section of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group

Biodiversity protection in Shaanxi Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve

The Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in Shaanxi has ensured the safety of forest resources and the stability of biodiversity through the rigorous implementation of a series of laws and regulations, the forest resource protection responsibility system, and the enforcement of patrolling systems. By establishing research bases for the monitoring of key species, collaborating with numerous universities and research institutions, and executing projects such as those funded by WWF and GEF, the reserve actively engages in a variety of promotional activities, strengthens community co-management initiatives, and diligently fulfills its commitment to biodiversity conservation and ecological environment protection.

Hydroponic Fodder Production for Livestock Farming

The Hydroponic Fodder and Livestock Farming Initiative seeks to transform Tajikistan’s agriculture by introducing innovative, sustainable practices. This project establishes advanced hydroponic systems to produce high-quality fodder, addressing key challenges like climate change, food insecurity, and economic instability. Engineered for optimized production, these systems ensure a reliable supply of nutritious feed, vital for agricultural productivity amid environmental and economic pressures. By promoting eco-friendly, resource-efficient farming, Zira Group’s initiative supports climate resilience, food security, and a sustainable agricultural model aligned with conservation goals for enhanced livestock farming efficiency and regional resilience.

Reviving High Quality Coffee to Stimulate Climate Adaptation in Smallholder Farming Communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda

The burgeoning specialty coffee sector in DRC offers a compelling example of how regenerative agricultural practices can enhance both environmental sustainability and market value. By focusing on producing high-quality coffee and implementing improved farming techniques, Congolese coffee farmers are tapping into a growing global demand for ethically sourced specialty coffee. Higher product standards command premium prices and contribute to increased economic resilience within local communities. 

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) funded a partnership between the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Nespresso, and TechnoServe through this project. Through Nespresso’s AAA Sustainable quality program, the project supported the sustainability of smallholder coffee farming households in South Kivu, DRC, while working to restore and revitalize degraded natural environments. Nespresso, TechnoServe, and DRC coffee farmers and cooperatives have partnered since 2019.

IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management annual report 2024

Catalysing biodiversity on buildings

The capacity of cities as landscapes to support biodiversity is accepted as one of the critical steps necessary to halt global biodiversity loss and also address the other two aspects of the triple planetary crisis, climate change and pollution. The intent of the report is to communicate opportunities for the integration of nature and biodiversity into the building scale, through the measures implemented within the individual building structure. The document provides context by reviewing global agreements and initiatives that support these themes, and discusses leading examples from global cities before providing a more in-depth review of the range of initiatives from eight European municipalities.

Expansion of Renewable Energy Solutions in Agriculture

The proposed green energy solutions are focused on agriculture in Tajikistan, addressing critical irrigation and energy access issues. Established in 2016, the company ‘Tekhnologiyahoi Sabz’ (Green Technologies) installs solar-powered pumps and irrigation systems to overcome water shortages, frequent power outages, and high diesel costs. Their solar and micro-hydro systems provide efficient, sustainable water access for rural farms, significantly improving agricultural productivity while lowering operational expenses and carbon emissions. By fostering sustainable farming practices, these solutions enhance economic viability for farmers and contribute to a resilient, eco-friendly agricultural sector, advancing Tajikistan’s green transition. The company also offers solar cooling systems for storage and backup power solutions, further reducing dependency on conventional energy and promoting long-term financial and environmental benefits for Tajikistan’s agricultural future.

Jiangxi and Fujian jointly formulate laws to jointly protect Wuyishan National Park.

Jiangxi and Fujian provinces have carried out a lot of collaboration around the protection, construction and management of Wuyishan National Park, but there are relevant laws and regulations no longer adapted to the needs of the construction of national parks, the management system is not smooth, the protection and development of contradictions, insufficient law enforcement, low public participation and other issues, which restricts the high standard of protection and high-quality development of Wuyishan National Park.

Jiangxi and Fujian provinces collaborative legislation, introduced the “Jiangxi Province Wuyishan National Park Regulations” and “Fujian Province Wuyishan National Park Regulations” for the protection, construction and management of Wuyishan National Park provides a rule of law, protection of the tone is more stringent, will promote the enhancement of the protection and management level of the Wuyishan National Park, to help Jiangxi to build a national ecological civilization construction of the highland.

Ecuador, an Exemplary Model of Success in REDD+

PROAMAZONÍA, 2017-2023 Ecuadorian initiative, reduced deforestation and CO2 emissions. Linked national emission reduction efforts, priority agendas, and productive policies within REDD+ “Forests for Good Living” 2016-2025 framework. Achieved 7 million tons of CO2 equivalent emission reductions from deforestation, contributing to Ecuador’s NDC. Composed of GCF and GEF-funded projects, executed by Ministries of the Environment, Water and Agriculture and Livestock and UNDP.

It laid solid foundations for REDD+ financing and governance in Ecuador, leaving an invaluable legacy.

General guidelines for surveillance of diseases, pathogens and toxic agents in free-ranging wildlife : first edition

This document provides broad guidance on surveillance of infectious and non-infectious wildlife diseases, pathogens and toxic agents to assist in the implementation of a national surveillance programme for free-ranging wildlife. It is intended to promote a common understanding, which can serve as a foundation for training and operational procedures. While this guidance is geared to surveillance of free-ranging wildlife (whether in spaces managed by the public or private sector), much of the information is also generally applicable to (though not comprehensive for) wild animals in captive settings.

 

Opportunities for enhancing biodiversity at wind and solar energy developments

The need to transition to a lower carbon, naturesafe renewable energy-based economy is more urgent than ever. This report provides an  overview of potential opportunities for biodiversity enhancement for wind and solar developments, bringing together information on good  practice principles, case studies from industry practice, and a summary of existing approaches to biodiversity enhancement. It is intended as a  compendium summary resource for developers, combining a variety of diffuse information from literature and community of practice.

Sustainable agriculture and Nature-based Solutions

Unsustainable agricultural practices are among the main causes of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution globally. It is thus essential to integrate environmental conservation practices in the agriculture sector when looking at pathways for a sustainable future. In this context, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) could be a critical tool for improving the status of productive landscapes. This publication focuses on the relationship between sustainable agricultural practices and the concept of Nature-based Solutions, and specifically the applicability of the IUCN Global Standard for NbS™ in agricultural contexts. The aim is to provide experts and policymakers with ideas, recommendations, and concrete uses for these tools, in order to outline a potential path to a more sustainable future for the agricultural sector.