Save the Blue Heart of Europe - A campaign for the protection of Balkan Rivers
Vienna, September 9, 2014. One of Europe‘s oldest national parks shall remain free of new dams. 97,804 people signed a letter of protest against two projected hydropower plants inside the Mavrovo National Park in Macedonia. Today, the petition was handed over to the Macedonian Prime Minister Nicola Gruevski.
We have already collected over 92,000 signatures for the preservation of the Mavrovo National Park in Macedonia and against the two intended hydro dams inside the park. Those dam projects put the habitat of the last Balkan Lynxes at risk, along with many other species. HELP US REACH 100.000 SIGNATURES BY MONDAY! Please sign the petition and tell your friends!
Vienna, Radolfzell, August 21, 2014. In the context of the Days of Biodiversity – an initiative of the German GEO magazine – a remarkable field research event took place at the Vjosa river in Albania in mid-June. Results will be published in the latest issue of the GEO magazine, which will be available on August 22.
Between June 13th-15th, the Geo Days of Biodiversity took place at the Vjosa River in Albania. Of the more than 400 species identified, ten percent are classified as threatened, rare or endemic, many of which are protected by international conventions according to IUCN and the Albanian Red List.
Watch this video about the GEO Days of Biodiversity at the Vjosa (June 12-15).
One of the key areas in our campaign is the Sava River, which has been under high anthropogenic pressure. The international coordination team is in a partnership with the Croatian Society for Bird and Nature Protection for the protection of the Croatian Sava. To supplement the Team Sava, the coordination team is currently looking for a national coordinator for the Slovenian river section.
The Balkan rivers constitute the remaining global stronghold of the Danube Salmon (Hucho hucho). This species, among the world’s largest salmonid fishes, is very sensitive to ecosystem alteration by hydropower development. International experts came together for a workshop to assess and discuss its distribution and conservation status.
Vienna, Radolfzell, June 26, 2014. The World Bank Country Unit for Southeast Europe based in Vienna had unusual visitors this morning. Representatives of the environmental NGO Riverwatch handed over a letter of protest - signed by 77,930 people - against the proposed funding of a hydroelectric dam in the Mavrovo National Park in Macedonia.
Find out about Vjosa River’s beauty, its values and threats in this video by Adrian Guri. It features stunning views of the river, impressions of the Vjosa press conference in Tepelenë, and many interviews.
Vienna, 10.6.2014. In cooperation with the German GEO magazine, a remarkable event will take place along the Vjosa River in Albania from June 13-15. For three days, 50 to 60 experts will range the Vjosa’s riparian zone and study its animal and plant species.
Our group of allies is increasing! Scientists in our network not only lend their own data but also use their independent voices to advocate for the protection of rivers.
The interactive map to explore the region in detail based on different criteria.
The Eco-Masterplan for Balkan Rivers is a comprehensive study which, for the first time, combines knowledge about biodiversity (fish, mussels, caddisflies), integrity of rivers and floodplains (hydromorphology), as well as the location of protected areas.
We are a coalition of NGOs who have launched the campaign “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” in order to raise awareness about the imminent dam craze on the Balkan peninsula and to spare the most valuable rivers and river stretches from destruction.