This spring, one of the most encouraging signs of success has appeared on sites we have been restoring within the LIFE Sub-pannonic project – pasque flowers have started to bloom.

These iconic species of dry grasslands are among the first to respond to improved habitat conditions. Their return clearly shows that the restoration measures we implement – especially the removal of encroaching shrubs and trees, reintroduction of grazing, and regular mowing – are helping these habitats recover. The abandonment of traditional land use was one of the main reasons for their decline in the past.

The LIFE Sub-pannonic project focuses on the restoration of valuable dry grassland habitats across dozens of sites in Slovakia and Moravia. These habitats are exceptionally rich in species, but also highly sensitive to changes in management – without regular care, they quickly become overgrown and lose their biodiversity.

The blooming pasque flowers are therefore more than just a beautiful sight. They are a symbol of ecological recovery and a reminder that even long-neglected landscapes can return to life when given the right care.

We would like to thank all partners, land managers, and volunteers involved in the restoration efforts. Thanks to this cooperation, species that have been disappearing from our landscape are slowly returning.

On 4-5 March 2026, our partners from the Plant Science and Biodiversity Centre SAS (PSBCSAS) had the opportunity to present the LIFE Resistance project at an important international gathering, the conference Invasive Alien Species in the Danube Region: IAS of Regional Concern, held in Hungary.

The event brought together competent ministries, the European Commission, international organisations, nature conservation authorities, research institutes and NGOs from across the Danube region. Our partners took to the floor to introduce LIFE Resistance to an audience of regional and European decision-makers and experts. They presented the project’s core objectives, reducing the spread and impact of invasive alien species in border areas, and walked attendees through the innovative methods and approaches that set our project apart. Early findings from the field were also shared, offering a first glimpse into the real-world results our teams are achieving on the ground. Invasive species don’t respect borders, and neither should the solutions. Being part of this conversation helps amplify our work, connect us with potential future partners, and contribute to the broader EU strategy for managing biological invasions.

We’re proud of our partners at the Plant Science and Biodiversity Centre SAS for representing the project so effectively, and we look forward to more opportunities to share our progress on the regional and European stage.

As part of the LIFE Resistance project, an exceptional collaboration was created, bringing together honest craftsmanship, nature conservation, and a social dimension. The result is a product that warms not only your head, but also your heart.

Grazing is one of the key management measures we use in the project to suppress invasive plant species and preserve the natural biodiversity of protected areas. Years of experience have shown us that traditional land management has an irreplaceable role in the landscape. Sheep and goats help keep meadows open, prevent them from becoming overgrown, and create conditions for the return of rare plant and animal species. Their presence supports blooming grasslands, orchids, insects, and birds that depend on this type of habitat.

Our herd, grazing in Podunajské Biskupice, contributes to maintaining valuable meadows along the Danube River. They function as natural lawnmowers and, quietly yet systematically, help ensure that this area remains full of life and natural diversity. The wool from their winter shearing is therefore not just a raw material, but part of the story of a landscape they help protect.

From this idea came the decision to use the wool of our “conservation sheep” in a meaningful way. The wool was sent to a Slovak wool manufactory, a family-run business specializing in wool processing, where it was carefully sorted, cleaned, and spun into yarn. Since our primary goal is nature conservation rather than the production of perfectly refined wool, its processing requires considerable patience and expertise. We are therefore especially grateful for the precise work of the people who transformed it into high-quality yarn ready for the next stage. The finished yarn was then delivered to the sheltered workshop Dom svitania in Jakubov. This workshop provides employment opportunities, support, and space for personal development to people with disabilities. Each hat is created through careful handcrafting, with attention to detail and quality. Every piece is unique and carries the story of the people who made it.

This collaboration holds special meaning for us because it connects nature conservation with the social dimension. It shows that sustainability is not only about landscapes and biodiversity, but also about people and mutual support within a community.

Last week we celebrated World Wetlands Day! On February 2, we celebrate the crucial role wetlands play for both our planet and its people. These incredible ecosystems are among the most productive on Earth, offering essential services like water regulation, flood protection, carbon storage, and support for biodiversity. They also provide livelihoods for millions.

Our partners from the Plant Science and Biodiversity Center study wetlands from many different perspectives—from the bottom of the waterbody, through dense riparian vegetation, to the hidden diversity of wetland sounds. Using in situ data collection, eDNA analysis, vegetation research, bioacoustics, and remote sensing techniques, we aim to deepen our understanding of wetlands. The results of this research provide a valuable foundation for wetland restoration, which they are actively involved in through the LIFE Resistance project.

Let’s raise awareness and protect these vital habitats!

A new chapter has begun in the wetland near Čiližská Radvaň – since the beginning of August, cows have been grazing on an area of 107 hectares, playing an important role in the restoration and protection of one of the most valuable wetland habitats in southern Slovakia. This site was only recently saved – thanks to the financial support of the public, who contributed to its purchase. Since then, it has officially become part of the Natura 2000 site Čiližské močiare. However, buying the land was only the first step – what matters most is its active management. 

The wetland at Čiližská Radvaň has been particularly threatened by the spread of invasive plant species, such as Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis). Within the LIFE Microtus II project, we therefore restored the water regime even before the cows arrived – water was brought into the wetland from a nearby drainage canal with the help of a newly built sluice. Long-term flooding brought an immediate effect: the coverage of goldenrod started to decline and was gradually replaced by native species such as sedges and reeds. This step was primarily aimed at supporting the endemic Pannonian root vole, but it also brought an important additional benefit – the effective suppression of invasive vegetation. To make the process even more effective, the goldenrod was also mowed. Now comes the next phase – grazing, which complements and strengthens this natural management.

That is why, within the LIFE Resistance project, we decided to introduce cattle grazing in the area. Grazing represents not only a return to traditional forms of land use but also a modern tool of close-to-nature management of protected areas. In the case of Čiližská Radvaň, grazing is an effective way to support biodiversity and control invasive plants. Cows not only weaken the expansion of invasive species but also prevent vegetation from building up, which would otherwise lead to the gradual infilling and drying out of the wetland. Grazing, in combination with the restored water regime, creates favourable conditions for the long-term preservation of this wonderful habitat.

The uniqueness of this wetland lies in its mosaic of wet and dry patches, which makes grazing even more important. The cows naturally move between these environments – grazing on dry meadows while also enjoying flooded parts, where they cool down in between feeding. This way, they create a diverse landscape structure that benefits many species of birds, amphibians, and insects.

Even after just a few days of grazing, positive changes are already visible. Flocks of herons fly around the cows, and the whole area feels alive again. This is clear proof that the cooperation between livestock and nature works. To allow visitors to enjoy this unique view, an observation tower will soon be built in the area. From there, people will be able to watch not only the herd of cows but also birds and other wildlife that are returning to the wetland thanks to our care.

This year, we have once again successfully completed the BROZ Activity Report for 2024. Our goal in preparing it is to clearly and comprehensibly inform our supporters, partners, and the general public about all the activities we carried out over the past year. As you will see, it was not an easy task this time either – we had more than enough work once again. However, we believe you will enjoy reading the report and that it will encourage you to continue following and supporting us.

Happy reading,
Your BROZ Team

Colorful meadows and pastures were not always a given. Their emergence was linked to the development of agriculture in the Neolithic period. People needed to create areas without forests for raising livestock and growing crops.

The great boom in meadow farming occurred during the Wallachian and Kopaničiar colonization in the Middle Ages and peaked in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the demand for feed for stabled farm animals increased. Regular mowing and grazing kept the flower-filled meadows full of life.

Nowadays, however, interest in traditional land management is declining. Society has changed, and colorful meadows and pastures are facing abandonment, overgrowth with invasive trees, and loss of species diversity. But that’s not the only problem facing these rare habitats—intensive farming, monoculture, large-scale mowing at one time, mulching, and sowing non-native seed mixtures (in this project, we’re working on producing our own original regional seed mixture!).

Centuries of slow land formation by farmers have been replaced by a period of rapid change, where maximum yield and economic profit have become the main measures of success.

One of the projects that aims to reverse this unfavorable development is LIFE DIVERSEED. It focuses on areas with so-called priority grassland habitats. The goal is to restore selected sites covering an area of at least 920 ha, restore wetlands and other small-scale habitats, plant several thousand of the 10 most endangered plant species, ensure long-term management of the areas with local farmers, and create unique regional seed mixtures that will be the first of their kind in Slovakia and Romania.

Regional meadow seed mixtures will be officially registered and designated for the restoration of grassland habitats in the Western Carpathians up to an altitude of 1,000 m. This will be a practical tool for restoring species diversity to the landscape – the mixtures will also be available to landowners, local authorities, and farmers who want to restore flowering meadows. All under the patronage of experts and scientists from renowned organizations.

In 2024, the LIFE DIVERSEED project was in full swing. The main objective was to collect seeds that the project partner Agrostis would grow to create the first regional seed mixture intended for the restoration of grassland habitats up to an altitude of 1,000 m.

As a project partner, Agrostis is responsible for providing the seeds needed to create regional seed mixtures. During the 2024 season, Agrostis managed to collect seeds from 54 perennial meadow plant species. Most of these were herbs, but grasses and sedges were also represented. Only common species were collected, not protected plants.

The list of species to be included in the regional seed mixture was created by the project partner – the Centre for Plant Biology and Biodiversity (CBRB) of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. These species will be grown by Agrostis from the collected seeds in nurseries, special cultivation fields designed to ensure regular and reliable seed collection.

In 2025, we will continue to focus on collecting species that we currently lack or have not yet been able to find. At the same time, our goal is to create an affordable product, so we do not collect species for which there is a locally registered variety of Slovak, Czech, or Hungarian origin. Another project partner, the Central Control and Testing Institute of Agriculture (ÚKSUP), is assisting us with the varieties and will also ensure the testing of seed mixtures, sowing methods, guidelines, and seed registration.

The year 2024 thus marked a significant step forward. Thanks to targeted field work, seed collection, pre-cultivation, and preparation of cultivation fields, in cooperation with experts and professional organizations, a solid foundation is being laid for the creation of the first registered regional seed mixtures in Slovakia!

The aim is to offer a nature-friendly tool for landscape restoration that will not only be ecologically valuable but also practically usable in the various conditions of the Western Carpathian region.

We have started a new approach to tackling one of the most problematic invasive woody plants in the Danube Floodplains: the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). This time, however, we are not using chainsaws or chemicals. Instead, we are bringing in nature’s helper: a fungus from the genus Verticillium.

But why is tree of heaven unwanted in nature around Danube?

At first glance, this species may not appear threatening. It grows quickly, is inconspicuous, and thrives almost everywhere. And that is precisely the problem.

This non-native woody plant spreads extremely aggressively, especially in sensitive habitats such as floodplain forests and river floodplains. It forms dense stands and secretes substances that inhibit the growth of other plants (a process known as allelopathy). It can also damage infrastructure through its root system. Without intervention, it quickly crowds out native vegetation, creating monotonous stands.

So, how does the Verticillium help?

This soil fungus causes ‘vascular wilt’, whereby the tree’s conductive tissues become clogged. This results in the gradual dieback and death of the plant. It thrives in moist environments, so it is not necessary to apply it to a perfectly healthy tree.

This method has already been successfully tested in several European countries and has proven to be gentle and long-lasting. The fungus only attacks tree of heaven, so it does not pose a threat to native species.

And what next?

We’ll be watching closely to see how the cobwebs react to the injection. We don’t expect miracles overnight – the goal is a gradual weakening of the stands to make room for the return of native species. Combined with other measures (such as wetland restoration, the introduction of grazing on the locale, and the restoration of native riparian forests), this is a beautiful example of how nature itself can help us solve problems.

Team members from Plant Science and Biodversity Cente SAS have started monitoring vegetation in Čiližské močiare and Istragov. At both of these sites, we plan to bring in livestock in the near future to help with suppression of invasive plant species. 

The Čiližké močiare used to be a wetland, which – like many others – has been partially drained by humans and converted into agricultural land. However, due to the high water levels it could not be intensively exploited. The result is a wet meadow, now heavily overgrown with invasive plants. Botanists have set up a permanent 100×100 metre research area on the very spot where cows and water buffalo will be arriving in a few weeks’ time. In it, they recorded the cover of invasive species in individual 10×10 meter quadrats. 

Istragov has always been a wetland, but in recent decades the water has not been coming in. Within the LIFE Microtus II project, canals have been created to bring water here again. Within the LIFE Resistance project we want to improve the condition of Istragov even further. By introducing grazing, we will suppress invasive species and create an example of a traditionally managed floodplain landscape. Here, we used a precision GPS to delineate 100 10×10 m plots, within which we surveyed invasive plant species cover and species composition. In 5 plots of 5×5 m we recorded the pre-grazing condition.

Monitoring will be repeated annually and we hope that the cover of invasive species will gradually decrease.