... and it’s nearly here! Happy Friday, everyone! 🎉 Background info: The #AquaticWarbler is one of the rarest #birds in Europe. Over the past century, its population has declined by 95 percent. Currently, there are only about 8,000 singing males left worldwide. © Žymantas Morkvėnas #conservation

A closer look at the world of brown bears 🐻 On Thursday, 4 December 2025, EuroNatur project manager Antje Henkelmann invites you to attend an exciting lecture on brown bears in Europe. Register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/203eba... © Marcus Gangloff #conservation #wildlife

It's #GivingTuesday! Especially today, we want to draw attention to an endangered species that urgently needs our support: the Cantabrian brown bear 🐻 You can help us restore the bears' habitat after the wildfires in Spain. Our goal: 600 #TreesForBears Link in the comments! #conservation

After years of delays, NGOs have scored a big step in court against the Vlora Airport in Albania 🎉 The Albanian Administrative Court of Appeal has finally returned the Vlora Airport case for trial at first instance, meaning the court can finally go to the merits of the case. © Joni Vorpsi/PPNEA

A ray of hope for Europe's rarest songbird: this year, a record number of Aquatic Warblers were recorded in Lithuania. However, there is still cause for concern. Read more ⬇️ www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-d... #birds #conservation

Important step forward: Montenegrin Ministry of Environment, together with @euronatur.bsky.social and its Montenegrin partner organisations CZIP and CDE, has signed a memorandum of understanding to improve the protection of the Morača river. #BlueHeartOfEurope www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-d...

1/ In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Upper Horizons hydropower complex is reshaping the landscape and threatening the rivers Buna, Bunica and Bregava, as well as Hutovo Blato and the Neretva Delta. 🌊

1/ Europe’s nature is in crisis. The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 promised to put nature on the road to recovery. But halfway through, it’s clear: we’re off track. ❌ No increase in protected land and sea areas since 2021 1/2

The Western Balkan candidates are still failing to meet EU nature and #biodiversity safeguards. @ec.europa.eu notes serious shortfalls in it's Enlargement Package, especially in protected-area safeguards, species conservation and environmental impact assessments. www.euronatur.org/en/about-eur...

We had the privilege of honoring Albanian conservationist Ardian Koçi. His dedication, passion, and tireless work for nature truly inspired us 💚 Watch our video to experience special moments from the ceremony and learn more about Ardian’s motivation and commitment 🎥

We are still a bit emotional: In a moving ceremony last night, Ardian Koçi received the EuroNatur Award for “his integrity and great personal commitment to protect Divjakë-Karavasta National Park in #Albania,” according to EuroNatur's @schwadererg.bsky.social Read more: tinyurl.com/yud5m77z

🚨Protected areas are not development zones. 🚨 In 2024, Albania shockingly changed its Protected Areas Law to allow the construction of airports, resorts, and other developments inside protected areas. This opened the door to projects that threaten some of the country’s most valuable natural sites.

In July, the European Commission published a proposal for a new post 2027 EU budget. 🚨 Nature is left behind with no dedicated fund and no biodiversity targets. 🔍 Read more about gaps in the next EU budget: bankwatch.org/publication/...

Important article in #BalkanInsight about the situation along Vjosa River, 2,5 years after its designation as Wild River National Park. @euronatur.bsky.social balkaninsight.com/2025/10/07/t...

1/2 Together with @euronatur.bsky.social and our other partners, we recently visited projects in Poland. 🐦 @otop-birdlife.bsky.social took us to the Vistula River to see a biodiversity-rich area where ringed plover nests are monitored.

Our mentoring programme enters the next round 🌍 Starting in January 2026, our 9-month mentoring programme connects future leaders from the conservation sector with mentors to help you build the skills, networks and confidence in #conservation.  Apply now 👉 More info in the comments!

#Rivers know no borders 🏞️ That's why we're on our way to a transboundary Vjosa/Aoos Wild River National Park. Watch the video to learn more about our impact in 2024 and our vision of cross-border river protection. Or take a look at our 2024 Year in Review! Link in the comments below ⬇️

Victory for nature 📣 Just ahead of the 2025 #IUCN World Conservation Congress, members voted overwhelmingly in favor of #Motion130, which calls for stricter rules against unsustainable tourism infrastructure in the world’s most sensitive protected areas.

Protected areas are not the only, but an extremely important cornerstone of any effective strategy to protect the Balkan lynx. @euronatur.bsky.social @thomaswaitz.bsky.social www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-d...

The Transboundary River Forum in Greece has kicked off! We are talking about the protection and sustainable management of transboundary #river ecosystems, with an emphasis on the Aoos/Vjosa 🌊 #natureconservation #transboundaryriverforum #aoos #vjosa

Der Schutz des Balkanluchs ist ein Symbol für grenzüberschreitende Zusammenarbeit & Naturschutz in Europa. Zusammen mit @euronatur.bsky.social, MEP Sebastian Everding, NGOs aus den Beitrittsländern am Westbalkan & Expert*innen EU-Institutionen haben wir heute die Rettung des Balkanluchs diskutiert.

The countdown is on: On 16 October 2025, the EuroNatur Award will be presented to Albanian conservationist Ardian Koçi – on the island of Mainau in Lake Constance🏆 We’ll be sharing a Best-Of from the award ceremony right here on social media. Follow us so you don’t miss it! © Mirjan Topi

Together with our nature conservation partners, we campaign for the survival of otters in South-Eastern Europe 🦦💚 👉 Want to help us protect otters along the Balkan Green Belt? https://www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-do/european-green-belt/donate-for-the-european-green-belt #BESTbelt #EuroNatur

"Opening negotiations on the environment chapter may set the dangerous precedent that #Albania can dismantle #nature protection and still make progress in the #EUenlargement negotiations", says EuroNatur's @schwadererg.bsky.social. Read more in our press release: www.euronatur.org/en/about-eur...

One week to go! We're heading to Ioannina, Greece for the Transboundary River Forum 2025 — a unique gathering dedicated to the protection and sustainable management of Europe's shared river ecosystems. Will you be there too? Let us know — we’d love to connect! 🙋‍♀️

We’re proud to present the EuroNatur Calendar “Natural Treasures of Europe 2026” – featuring the 12 winning images from our photo contest 📷 Order yours now: https://www.euronatur-shop.com/produkt/euronatur-naturschaetze-europas-ab-sofort-vorbestellen/ Cover photo: Konstantin Völker

"We see biodiversity as one of the enablers of cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans," says Viktor Berishaj, Senior Policy Officer at @euronatur.bsky.social and writing lead of the report "Biodiversity. The Case of the Western Balkans". Find out more in the video ⬇️ #OurImpact24 #policy

🌍✍️ Nearly 200,000 messages sent to the EU in just 10 days: hands off our environmental laws. Citizens won’t let profit come before people + planet. #HandsOffNature

The European Green Belt Days kick off tomorrow! 🎉 They showcase the heart and soul of the European Green Belt: peace and conservation 💚 Check out which activities are planned: https://www.europeangreenbelt.org/activities/european-green-belt-days We can't wait to meet you there! 👋 © Rina Kovaçi

You can now start your personal fundraising campaign on our website in just a few minutes 🎉 Whether it’s your birthday, a sports challenge or any other occasion – use it to raise donations for Europe's wild nature 🌿 Try it now and create your campaign: www.euronatur.org/fundraiser

Nature needs your help NOW 🚨 Across Europe, our forests are thinning, our rivers are drying, and our wildlife is vanishing. Now the European Commission wants to weaken the very laws that protect them. It’s our nature, our home, our right. #HandsOffNature 📢 Speak up now: http://handsoffnature.eu

Hi, nice to meet you — we’re the team behind EuroNatur 💚 #natureconservation #EuroNatur © Gerald Jarausch

Together with our partner FAPAS, we've made real progress for the #bears 🐻 But threats remain, and the journey isn’t over. Watch the video to see what we’ve achieved — and why your support is essential for the next steps. #YouCanHelpMakeitHappen

What's the point of a national park label if it's only on paper? #vjosa Absolutely: Nothing. Want to add your voice to our email campaign to the Albanian government? Find the link in the comments! #savetheblueheartofeurope #ProtectOurVjosaParkNow

Informativer Artikel in der @wirtschaftswoche.bsky.social über Tourismuswirtschaft in Albanien. Und über den Ausverkauf der Küste sowie massive Eingriffe in Naturschutzgebiete. @euronatur.bsky.social

It's official: Albanian conservationist Ardian Koçi will receive the EuroNatur Award on October 16, 2025 🎉 As director of the Divjaka-Karavasta National Park, he has shown backbone — and accepted personal and professional disadvantages as a result.  For more info click on the link in the comments ⬇️

Gute Hintergrundgeschichte über die Erholung des Braunbärenbestands in Nordspanien in der @taz.de. @euronatur.bsky.social taz.de/Er-ist-wiede...

To save the Aquatic Warbler from extinction, EuroNatur in collaboration with seven partners have launched the project LIFE4AquaticWarbler. The goal is to halt the decline in subpopulations in Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine and to initiate the recovery of populations in Germany and Hungary🪶 More info⬇️

Which #Oder do you want to experience? One that is destroyed, or one that remains alive? 🐟 Our vision for the Oder takes into account the needs of both #nature and the communities along the #river, standing in clear contrast to the current situation and harmful plans for further river expansion 💧

Romania's primary and old-growth forests are still not adequately protected! @euronatur.bsky.social, @robinwood.bsky.social and @eia-news.bsky.social expose that local authorities continue to regularly allow logging in Natura 2000 areas without carrying out the necessary nature impact assessments ⬇️

The latest report by @euronatur.bsky.social, @robinwood.bsky.social and @eia-news.bsky.social exposes: Romanian authorities still allow illegal #logging in protected Natura 2000 areas and sawmills continue to source large quantities of timber from protected natural areas like Călimani. Read more ⬇️

Was wir befürchteten, ist eingetreten: Deutschland hat den Erhaltungszustand des Wolfes im nationalen FFH-Bericht an die EU als „günstig“ bzw. "unbekannt" übermittelt. Außerdem soll der Wolf ins Jagdrecht aufgenommen werden. www.wwf.de/2025/juli/pr...

📣 You can take action now! The Vjosa Wild River National Park must have real protection, not empty promises. Pollution, mining, water abstraction, and chemical spills have no place here. 🔗Find the link in the comments to tell the Albanian government to honour their commitment – not someday, but now.

Illegal timber procurement in Romania According to studies, approximately twice as much timber is harvested in Romania as is legally permitted - even in protected Natura 2000 areas without an environmental impact assessment. eia.org/blog/plus-ca...

Today is World Nature Conservation Day! And even though there is a lot to do and many challenges ahead, every day we witness how everyone in nature conservation gives their best. And that’s something worth celebrating! 💚 #WorldNatureConservationDay #EuroNatur #ConnectingNatureAndPeople

📣 You can take action now! The Vjosa Wild River National Park must have real protection, not empty promises. Pollution, mining, water abstraction, and chemical spills have no place here. 🔗Find the link in the comments to tell the Albanian government to honour their commitment – not someday, but now.

It's the third anniversary of the catastrophic fish die-off in the #Oder. @euronatur.bsky.social and @bund.net call on the German, Polish and Czech governments to join their sustainable vision for the Oder – one of the last near-natural rivers in Central Europe 🌊 www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-d...

Europe's primary forests are under threat. If they were cut down, countless rare plants and animals would lose their homes. The fight against the #climatecrisis would also suffer a significant setback. That's why these forests have to be protected 🌳© Black Forest Collective

The #Oder has the potential to become a European model for a free-flowing, near-natural and species-rich river—if we protect it. We are working across borders with @bund.net, Fundacja EkoRozwoju and @arnikaorg.bsky.social to achieve this 💚 This project is funded by the German Postcode Lottery.

"We can't give up, there's too much at stake." Annette Spangenberg, Head of Programme Fresh Water at @euronatur.bsky.social, shares why it's so important to keep fighting for the protection of the #VjosaDelta and #NartaLagoon and why giving up is not an option 🌊 #SaveVjosaNarta #StopVloraAirport