EnhlsihFehérhátú fakopáncs (Dendrocopos leucotos) 

A Harkályvédelmi Szakosztály logójául választott harkályfaj kulcsfontosságú, a természetes állapotú, idős korú, korhadt fában gazdag erdők fontos indikátora. Ez a legritkább, és az egyetlen fokozottan védett harkályfaj Magyarországon. Jelenleg 260-760 párt becsülnek a szakemberek. Csoportunk egyik célja, hogy országos felmérést végezve pontosabb adatokat gyűjtsünk az állomány méretéről, változásáról és veszélyeiről. Bővebb információ

Balkáni fakopáncs (Dendrocopos syriacus) Bővebb információ

Nagy fakopáncs (Dendrocopos major) Bővebb információ

Kis fakopáncs (Dryobates minor) Bővebb információ

Közép fakopáncs (Dendrocoptes medius) Bővebb információ

Zöld küllő (Picus viridis) Bővebb információ

Hamvas küllő (Picus canus) Bővebb információ

Fekete harkály (Dryocopus martius) Bővebb információ

Nyaktekercs (Jynx torquilla) Bővebb információ

Name and registered office

Official English name: BirdLife Hungary
Official Hungarian name: Magyar Madártani és Természetvédelmi Egyesület 
Address: 1120 Budapest, Költő st. 21, Hungary
Logo: A displaying Great bustard

Our NGO does not engage in direct political activities, operates independently of political parties, and does not provide nor it accepts financial support from political parties.

Our objectives

Social support of nature protection, with the focus on bird conservation. 

In order to achieve the objectives, our organization:

• promotes awareness and popularization of natural values and conservation goals.
• expands the circle of supporters of nature conservation.
• considers shaping the environmental awareness of both the youth and the adult population as an essential task. Therefore, it organizes comprehensive educational and environmental programs targeting youth, educational institutions, families, and adults alike.
• conducts and implements nature conservation research and protection programs.
• engages in advocacy activities at both national and international levels for the protection of natural values.
• provides expertise to support the nature conservation activities of governmental and municipal bodies, as well as agricultural and social organizations.
• participates in the work of international nature conservation organizations.

The Organization carries out the following public tasks to achieve its objectives:

• Practical Nature Conservation Activities: Participates in the planning and implementation of species protection, area, and habitat conservation programs. It contributes to the planning and execution of the National Nature Conservation Plan (Act No. LIII of 1996 on nature conservation, Section 53).
• Opposes Unlawful Damage and Endangerment of Natural Areas and Values: Takes action against the illegal harm and endangerment of natural areas and values (Act No. LIII of 1996 on nature conservation, Section 65 (1)).
• Nature Conservation Monitoring, Research, Data Collection, and Publication: Conducts nature conservation research, organizes and implements protection programs, collects and publishes data, and ensures data provision for the nature conservation information system (Act No. LIII of 1996 on nature conservation, Section 67).
• Development of Nature Conservation Culture and Education: Focuses on developing nature conservation culture and providing education on nature conservation. Conducts educational and environmental programs targeting youth, educational institutions, families, and adults (Act No. LIII of 1996 on nature conservation, Section 64 (1)).
• Dissemination of Knowledge on Environmental and Nature Conservation, Sustainable Environment, and Consumption: Spreads knowledge on environmental and nature conservation, sustainable environment, and consumption in educational and cultural institutions. Environmental education and training (Act No. LIII of 1995, Section 54 and Act No. LIII of 1996, Section 64).
• Collaboration in the Fulfillment of State and Municipal Nature and Environmental Protection Tasks: Engages in foundational measurements, prepares studies and expertise, and participates in tasks related to the exploration, presentation, and maintenance of nature conservation areas (Act No. LIII of 1995, Section 1 (2)(b) and Act No. CLXXXIX of 2011, Section 13 (1) point 11).
• Monitoring and Documentation of Environmental State and Impacts on Human Health: Monitors and documents the environmental state and the impact of environmental stressors on human health. Gathers and publishes information on the condition of various environmental elements, providing assistance in accessing environmental information (Act No. LIII of 1995, Section 12).
• Active Participation in the Development and Implementation of Territorial Planning and Development Documents: Participates in the development and execution of territorial and sectoral planning procedures to establish conditions for sustainable development (Act No. XXI of 1996, Section 2).
• Collaboration in the Development of Medium-Term Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Strategy: Assists in shaping innovation according to the principles of sustainability (Act No. CXXXIV of 2004 on research and development and technological innovation, Section 5 (3)).
• Legal Protection Tasks: Protects the interests of future generations and the rights of the population to a healthy environment (Act No. CXI of 2011 on the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, Section 2 (a), (b), (c), (d)).
• Business Activities: The Association engages in business activities solely to achieve its non-profit objectives without jeopardizing them. Any results obtained from its economic activities are reinvested in the activities defined in the Articles of Association.
• Nationwide Organization: The Association operates nationally, carrying out its activities throughout the entire territory of Hungary.

Project Description

The Biodiverse City LIFE  project is a site-based nature conservation initiative focusing on valuable grassland and forest habitats in the Pannonian biogeographical region (Pannonic salt steppes and marshes, sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands, Pannonian downy oak forests, alder and ash gallery forests).

Through the restoration of degraded grasslands, wetlands, and to a lesser extent forests, the project aims to improve the conservation status of 271 hectares of habitat. As a result, the populations of 20 indicator species—8 of which are of European (community) importance—are expected to increase. Additionally, ecosystem services will be enhanced and the negative effects of climate change will be mitigated.

The work will take place across three main sites: Mocsáros, Tétényi Plateau, and Kőérberek-Őrmező. Parts of the project's natural and semi-natural habitats under local protection are also part of the European Union's Natura 2000 network.

The project applies an integrated approach to nature conservation. In an urban context, conservation efforts must involve local residents to ensure long-term sustainability of results. Therefore, the project addresses the causes and effects of harmful human impacts on Budapest’s natural environment, promoting sustainable urban land-use practices and peaceful coexistence between nature and urban lifestyles.

A key objective is to raise awareness of the value of urban biodiversity and ecosystem services. The main project sites and the green spaces of the “Wildflowering Budapest” program serve as platforms for demonstration, awareness-raising, and community participation. As a result of the project, the area of locally protected sites will increase significantly, urban biodiversity and ecosystem services will improve, and the implemented activities will substantially contribute to the goals of the European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

The field activities are focused on the following locally protected areas in Budapest:

Mocsáros nature reserve

The 75-hectare project area is mostly bordered by suburban residential zones and is enclosed from the south by a railway line. It has the potential to become one of the largest and most valuable wetland habitats in the capital, although currently it consists of habitat patches in varying states of degradation.

On its northern side, a 24.3-hectare section has been under local nature protection since 1994. However, the area has been significantly impacted by current land use practices and illegal human activities. Historically, the wetland was drained and converted into agricultural land, and in the 1980s it was designated for residential development. Fortunately, construction never began. The unmanaged and unclear land-use situation persisted until 2021, when the Municipality of Budapest reclassified the majority of the Mocsáros green area into non-developable land-use categories.

Following the approval of the LIFE project, as of April 1, 2024, the Mocsáros Nature Reserve has been expanded to 75 hectares. This expansion has created the conditions necessary for clearing abandoned structures, implementing water regulation measures to support a more favorable water balance, establishing extensive nature-friendly grazing, and converting tree plantations into native forest habitats.

Tétényi-fennsík nature reserve

The total area of the site is 130 hectares, of which 103 hectares hold NATURA 2000 status. Located on the Buda side of Budapest, the Tétényi Plateau is the largest locally protected area in the capital. Centuries of deforestation led to soil degradation, but in turn, valuable dry grassland habitats emerged, where lowland and upland herbaceous plant species occur side by side. For decades, the area served as a military training ground, which damaged the natural environment, yet also prevented urban development and limited human disturbance.

Several abandoned military structures remain on-site, some of which have become informal shelters for homeless individuals. The main ecological threats to the area include the spread of invasive species—such as tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia), and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)—particularly in the former training grounds. Other issues include illegal waste dumping, off-leash dog walking, and horseback riding off designated trails. The ongoing urban development in surrounding areas is increasing the number of nearby residents, amplifying recreational pressure on the site.

 

Kőérberek Alkali Meadow and Nature Reserve
and the newly designated Őrmező Meadows Nature Reserve

Currently, the locally protected area covers 41.8 hectares. This site is one of the largest remaining wetland habitats in South Buda. Along the drainage channels, patches of reed beds, marsh meadows, and temporary water bodies can be found.

In the past, drainage ditches were installed to facilitate thermal water extraction, which gradually led to the drying out of wetland habitats. In recent years, the Municipality of Budapest has begun the restoration of these wetlands based on carefully considered plans, with the aim of re-establishing water retention and improving ecological conditions.

Main Activities of the Project

The project focuses on the restoration of three distinct locally protected grassland areas in Budapest, several of which include habitats of community interest under the EU Habitats Directive, making them ecologically valuable at the European level. Restoration will be carried out using sustainable and nature-friendly land management methods.

Key habitat restoration activities include the removal of non-native invasive species from semi-natural grasslands, and the creation of mosaic habitats consisting of native forest patches interspersed with clearings and shrublands. At the two wetland sites (Mocsáros and Kőérberek–Őrmező), a water retention programme will be implemented to increase the extent and duration of temporary inundation.

To ensure long-term ecological maintenance, conservation grazing will be introduced in Mocsáros and on the Tétényi Plateau, while the meadows of Kőérberek–Őrmező will be maintained through mowing.

The project aims to promote and encourage public acceptance of environmentally sustainable land-use practices. Adopting an integrated approach to nature conservation, the project includes targeted awareness-raising and community engagement activities for local residents, schoolchildren, professionals, and decision-makers. These efforts aim to promote understanding and support for the protection of urban natural areas. Active involvement of local communities is essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of project results in an urban context.

The project significantly enhances urban biodiversity and ecosystem services, while also improving recreational opportunities for residents. Demonstrations and workshops will offer opportunities for national and international professional audiences to learn about the project’s outcomes in habitat restoration, grassland management, and environmental education.

The project is implemented by a consortium of 6 professional partners:

• Municipality of Budapest (Project Coordinator): Oversees the rehabilitation works, leads project communication, and ensures the dissemination of results.
• Budapest Public Utilities Nonprofit Ltd. (BKM) – primarily its Horticultural Division (FŐKERT): Responsible for executing habitat restoration, monitoring habitat conditions, and managing daily project operations.
• Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society (MME / BirdLife Hungary): Leads the monitoring activities, supports project communication, and coordinates the development of Budapest’s biodiversity and grassland strategies.
• Pilis Park Forestry Company (Pilisi Parkerdő Zrt.): Implements forest restoration by replacing tree plantations with native species and structurally diverse woodland.
• Municipality of Óbuda-Békásmegyer (District III) and Óbuda-Békásmegyer Urban Development Nonprofit Ltd.: Coordinate community forums, lead social facilitation with mediator involvement, manage legal regularization processes, and oversee selected infrastructure works to improve water supply and retention.
• Budapest Sewage Works Pte Ltd. (FCSM): Responsible for designing and implementing water retention infrastructure in Mocsáros and the Kőérberek–Őrmező alkali meadow nature reserve.
• Additional financial support is provided by the Municipality of Újbuda (District XI).

Two civil society organisations also play a key role in project implementation:
– Zöld Jövő Environmental Association
– Hungarian Society for Environmental Education

Project duration:
Start date: 1 September 2024
End date: 31 August 2031
Total duration: 84 months

Total awarded EU funding (for the entire consortium): €2,165,026.23