Just across our border lies the unique region of Hortobágy, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In April, we travelled there together with farmers and mayors from southern western and eastern Slovakia, to see firsthand what a successful integration of agriculture and nature conservation looks like in this iconic steppe landscape.

What did we learn and what inspired us?

• A world of traditional organic farming: At the Virágoskút ecofarm, we saw how almost the entire production process can be brought together under one roof, from livestock rearing and vegetable growing to processing and selling products, all in harmony with nature and with deep respect for tradition. Places like this tend to attract not only customers, but curious visitors too.
• The value of extensive grazing: At a local farmer’s property, we discussed how extensive grazing with native breeds contributes to restoring a healthy landscape while also supporting the development of the wider region.
• The heritage of traditional livestock keeping: A visit to a stud farm and demonstrations of native livestock breeds showed us just how important it is to preserve genetic and cultural heritage as a resource of incalculable value.
• Wildlife up close: A highlight was the visit to Vadaspark, where we had the chance to see representatives of the region’s original wild fauna. A particularly memorable moment was a guided wolf feeding session, a vivid reminder of the place that wilderness still holds in today’s landscape. 
• Culture and the celebration of tradition: The shepherd museum brought local traditions to life in a contemporary way, something this region takes great pride in, while the newly updated visitor centre offered a fresh and engaging look at the birds and flora of the local puszta.

We left with a strong conviction that this integration of farming traditions and nature conservation is exactly the path we want to follow in restoring our own lowlands. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the inspiring company and stimulating discussions!

We also thank our friends from the organisation Zöld kör for guiding us. This event was carried out within the framework of the project LIFE21-NAT-SK-LIFE 4 STEPPE BIRDS “Protection and Return of Steppe Bird Species to the Lowlands of Slovakia”. The project is co-financed by the European Union.

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.

In the open landscape of Slovakia’s lowlands, where the LIFE Steppe Birds project operates, rows of ancient pollarded willows are truly irreplaceable. To us they are a beautiful part of the scenery, but for the European roller and the red-footed falcon, they are strategic sites for life itself. To ensure these trees continue to serve their purpose in 2026 and beyond, we need to give them their characteristic “crown”.

Why is pollarding essential to the project’s goals?

Our project focuses on protecting species associated with open steppe landscapes. Although willows often grow along canals and ponds with muddy banks, their importance for steppe birds is immense:

• Nesting cavities: Regular pollarding following BROZ’s expert guidelines stimulates the tree to develop natural cavities. These are far more attractive and safer for the European roller than artificial nest boxes.
• Landscape stability: Without pollarding, old willows would eventually split under the weight of their branches, and entire nesting lines would be lost. Regular “willow cutting” extends the life of these trees by decades.
• Food supply: Freshly pollarded willows and the piles of cut branches left nearby provide habitat for hundreds of insect species, which are the primary food source for the chicks of our target bird species.

How we work (in line with the guidelines)

Within the activities of the LIFE21-NAT-SK-LIFE 4 STEPPE BIRDS project, we follow proper techniques that respect both the biology of the tree and the needs of the birds:

1. Winter timing: All pollarding is carried out exclusively during the vegetation dormancy period (January to February), so that the habitat is ready before the spring arrival of falcons and rollers.
2. Cutting to the crown: Branches are removed with a chainsaw close to the trunk, encouraging the characteristic shape that gives birds an excellent vantage point over their hunting grounds.
3. Supporting shrub cover: Around water bodies, we retain denser shrub vegetation, which provides shelter for small wildlife and increases the overall biodiversity of the site.

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!

The results of the 2025 breeding season came as a very welcome surprise. This year we recorded 38 territories and 36 breeding pairs, the highest number in the past quarter century! Thanks to systematic monitoring, we have now confirmed a positive trend in the number of breeding pairs for the fifth consecutive season. One of the most colourful birds in our landscape is making a remarkable comeback.

The key factor behind this reversal, much like in neighbouring Hungary, is the targeted support of nesting through specially designed nest boxes. These allow the European roller to return to sites where grazing already provides sufficient food, but where natural nesting opportunities are lacking.

We place these specially designed boxes at sites identified as suitable for the spread and recovery of the European roller, particularly in the Eastern Slovak Lowland. Hundreds have been installed over the past few decades, with more than 200 added in the last five years alone. Last year, with support from Nadácia VSE and the assistance of VSD, a further 70 boxes were installed on electricity pylons.

This year we observed a clear preference among rollers for pylon-mounted boxes, which offer better visibility and greater protection from predators.

Practical conservation efforts for the European roller are driven primarily by the LIFE 4 STEPPE BIRDS project, which enables the long-term conservation activities we carry out. Important support has also come from several foundations: Nadácia VSE contributed funding towards a portion of the installed boxes, while VSD handled their installation.

We also thank Nadácia ZSE for supporting the project “Spoznaj s nami vtáka roka krakľu belasú”, which allowed us to share this story throughout the year, and Nadácia Tipsport for their contribution to the running of our farm in Senné. The generous support of individual donors has also made a real difference. Thank you all.

Whether the European roller has a genuine chance of long-term survival in our agricultural landscape depends not only on the tireless enthusiasm of conservationists and the financial support of donors, but above all on the enlightened approach of farmers and, crucially, the state, which sets the rules governing how financial support is distributed to farmers through subsidies. We will therefore support our ministry’s calls to the European Commission for adequate support for Slovak farmers under the new Common Agricultural Policy. With insufficient support, extensive livestock grazing, which is among the less economically attractive forms of land management yet carries enormous importance for biodiversity, is always the most vulnerable.

LIFE21-NAT-SK-LIFE 4 STEPPE BIRDS “Protection and Return of Steppe Bird Species to the Lowlands of Slovakia”. The project is co-financed by the European Union.

A key part of our LIFE Endemic PANALP project, focused on restoring thermophilous and xerothermic grassland habitats, is cooperation with local farmers. Thanks mainly to this collaboration, we have so far managed to reintroduce or expand grazing on more than 240 hectares across 28 sites, stretching from Devín to Súľov. Our goal, of course, is for these restored areas to provide long-term benefits to the farmers, which will undoubtedly also bring significant gains for nature.

Agricultural subsidies are today an important tool in this regard. Therefore, on Monday, November 3, we organized a seminar for our cooperating farmers with our colleague who had worked for several years at the Agricultural Paying Agency. In an informal and friendly atmosphere, he explained to beginning farmers the basics of the Common Agricultural Policy rules, while the more experienced participants had the opportunity to discuss their experiences and challenges.

The venue – the Pub in Višňové – was chosen deliberately. We would like to start restoring goat grazing on the overgrown steppes directly below Čachtice Castle together with the locals here in the near future!

Coincidentally, we continued our education activities aimed at the same target group the very next day. At the Uhliská Farm near Nemšová, in cooperation with the Institute of Knowledge-based Agriculture and Innovation, we co-organized a seminar focused on grassland restoration, environmentally friendly deworming of livestock, and smart technologies in animal husbandry.

Our colleague Jakub Cíbik presented to the participants that restoring flowering meadows is an opportunity not only for biodiversity but also for building cooperation between conservationists and farmers. His lecture also included inspiring examples of such partnerships that have emerged thanks to the LIFE Endemic PANALP project.

Ivana Kodajová from the Vlčí Vrch goat farm, with whom we have been closely collaborating since the earlier LIFE Butterflies project, introduced her well-developed system of gentle goat deworming. Conventional methods, which rely on the widespread use of ivermectin-based substances, lead to parasite resistance and simultaneously kill coprophagous insects. These organisms, which decompose animal dung, are an important part of biodiversity and help farmers improve soil condition, fertility, and even reduce the occurrence of undesirable parasites.

For these reasons, at BROZ we have decided to promote awareness of practices that are more considerate of both livestock and the grassland ecosystems — ecosystems that, in our country, survive today largely thanks to them.

After more than a year of effort and work, the technical documentation for the revitalization project in Klížska Nemá is complete. In cooperation with designers from SVP and experts from the Water Research Institute (VÚVH), we have managed to design a series of measures that will help create “wild” islands on the main channel of the Danube in Klížska Nemá.
This will be the first revitalization of its kind in Slovakia, where we will lower and disconnect the groynes – guide embankments that direct water into the navigation channel (“výhony”) from the riverbank. This will create a parallel river branch within the main channel and provide a refuge for Danube fish species.

Our plans are ambitious and gradual — in the future, we would like to modify the entire groyne system in Klížska Nemá, consisting of a total of eight groynes, implemented in three construction phases.

We have now entered the permitting process and held numerous meetings with the relevant stakeholders, including the Slovak-Hungarian Commission for Boundary Waters and the Ministry of Transport — all with positive outcomes. So let’s get started!

These activities are being carried out as part of the #LIFEWILDisland project.