Last year, as part of the LIFE Endemic PANALP project, we began restoring a small but beautiful and valuable site in the heart of the White Carpathians. The area was declared protected primarily due to its geological uniqueness, but it also hosts rare dry and thermophilic “orchid” meadows and juniper stands. That is, until recently – it would have been more accurate to speak in the past tense, as the site had gradually become overgrown with pines and self-seeding shrubs due to the lack of regular management. From once expansive meadows, only a small, occasionally mown area of barely half a hectare remained.
Today, however, everything has changed. The site is once again thriving with tufted milkworts (Polygala comosa) , Carthusian pinks, sage, and oxeye daisies—species typical of flowering meadows. In the partial shade of the original deciduous trees, dozens of pale-flowered orchids are now blooming.
Why? Two years ago, in cooperation with the local landowners’ association (urbár), we cleared and fenced a plot of their shared land. The landowners also took the initiative to build a small tourist shelter with a safe fire pit, while we contributed an information panel explaining the value of grazing. Last year, we grazed our mobile flock of sheep and goats on Drietoma Ridge. This year, somewhat unexpectedly, they were replaced by three young Jersey heifers—the pasture caught the interest of a local farmer from Drietoma. We are truly happy about such collaborations, as the restoration of these rare meadows has once again created space for another local land steward.
What’s next? After the successful restoration of the land, we hope to continue on neighboring private and church-owned plots. This would allow the pasture and valuable habitats to expand even further.
