OMV Petrom Foundation finances €2,400,000 for projects in Vânători Neamț Natural Park and Putna-Vrancea Natural Park

The program offers national reference models for biodiversity conservation and ecotourism development

Civil Society Development Foundation, ProPark Foundation, and OMV Petrom Foundation are continuing the “Green for the Future” program, dedicated to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable development of local communities in Romania’s protected natural areas. With a budget of €2,400,000, fully funded by OMV Petrom Foundation, the 2025–2027 edition of the program focuses on Vânători Neamț Natural Park and Putna-Vrancea Natural Park. Since its launch in 2023, the total investment in these two parks has reached €3,200,000.

The Land of the Bison: Conservation, Education, and Tourism in Vânători Neamț Natural Park

The project began with the renovation and modernization of the Visitor Center during 2023–2024. In the 2025–2027 phase, interactive installations will be added to the center, and a new area will be created to integrate educational activities with ecotourism. The interior visiting area will be expanded to include museum-style exhibits on local culture aimed at involving the community in protecting cultural values, and a dedicated commercial space will promote local producers and products. The outdoor space will undergo landscaping using natural materials and native plant species.

A national first for Romania is also part of the project: Vânători Neamț Natural Park will become the first park in the country to reintroduce the moose (Alces alces) — a major step in restoring natural wildlife processes with a direct impact on ecological balance. As a large herbivore and umbrella species, the moose plays a critical role in shaping the landscape and supporting the survival of smaller species. The park also holds symbolic significance, as it was among the last places where moose were seen before their disappearance from the region.

Four wetland areas will be created to serve as water sources for mammals and birds, and as shelter for amphibians, reptiles, and insects. These will support biodiversity in the park during increasingly prolonged droughts.

To improve wildlife management and continuously monitor species conservation, the existing network of monitoring stations will be expanded with sensor-equipped cameras and audio devices.

The park’s infrastructure will also include a new educational trail featuring interactive installations to provide visitors with an immersive learning experience about biodiversity and conservation. A new educational area — the “Forest School” — will connect the Visitor Center, the acclimatization enclosure, and the Dragoș Vodă zoological garden.

Putna-Vrancea Natural Park: Wild, Accessible, and built for the Future

In Putna-Vrancea Natural Park, a mobile virtual observatory will be installed to allow visitors with limited mobility to explore the park’s wildlife and view short films of wild animals through an interactive experience.

To foster environmental awareness in local communities, a new educational space will be created to host activities for children and youth, helping them understand the importance of protecting the environment.

High natural value pasture habitats will be restored through traditional management, and invasive plant species will be removed to protect rare butterfly and insect species. The park’s rivers will also be restocked with native trout — an important step in restoring aquatic ecosystems.

A new wildlife monitoring network will be established in the park, featuring cameras and sensors to support biodiversity protection and prevent poaching.

Awareness campaigns, educational events, traveling photo exhibitions, and documentary screenings in local schools will engage communities in conservation efforts and promote ecotourism. These activities aim to increase public awareness and attract more visitors interested in nature and conservation.

A photography album about the Vrancea Mountains will also be produced to highlight the park’s natural and cultural values, helping raise its visibility both nationally and internationally.

About the “Green for the Future” Program

The “Green for the Future” program promotes a model of sustainable development in protected natural areas, with a strong focus on integrating local communities in environmental protection and the responsible use of natural resources. The program contributes to biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and ecotourism development in Romania’s protected areas.