WWF Hungary’s nature conservation priorities in order to contribute to WWF-CEE’ mission are the protection of wetlands and natural forests, ensuring sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture and rural development, reduction of climate change impacts, improving human coexistence with large carnivores, raising environmental awareness in the public and preservation of the protected and endangered habitats and species.
To achieve this, a skilled team of experts works closely together with national parks, nature conservation and state authorities, educational institutions and business partners, as well as with local people and on a regional level with the WWF network and international non-governmental Organizations.
Conservation facts:
Hungary is a basin surrounded by the Carpathians with several endemic species and habitat types. This region is recognized by the EU as the Pannonian biogeographic region. Due to the low elevation, human landuse is significant in all habitats.
Freshwater
- The Danube runs through and drains all of Hungary.
- „Europe‘s Amazon“ - the Drava River - is part of the five-country Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve.
- The Tisza River and its wetland system is shared with Romania, Ukraine and Serbia.
Forests
- Hungary's landscapes include high-value lowland forest types and deciduous mountain forests.
Wildlife
- Hungary enjoys the return of large carnivores, such as lynx and wolf and bear.
Climate & Energy
- There is a huge potential for sustainable biomass use and climate-friendly integrated landuse. WWF is working on climate-adaptation projects such as water retention under the MICACC project.
Governance
- Hungary plays an important role in regional policy frameworks, including the ICPDR and EU Strategy for the Danube Region.
Impactful projectS:
- 2021: the first wildlife crime prevention project SWIPE was recently launched.
- 2020: WWF-Hungary started a campaign to communicate the importance of national park zoning systems. The installation of Hungary’s first such system in Hortobágy National park was celebrated.
- 2020: One of WWF Hungary’s biggest campaigns led to the successful protection of Hajógyári Island – a natural floodplain forest at the bank of Danube.
- 2020: WWF Hungary launched the New Deal for Nature and People campaign. Due to the Covid crisis, an online-round table called WWF Corner in partnership with HVG, one of Hungary’s major news sites, was organized.
