Field measures – step one! Cleaning the pilot area on Stara planina

The best time for planting seedlings in pilot area is late autumn and that is one of reason why we started preparation of more than 2 000 square meters in wild and beautiful NP Stara planina near village of Kamenica. These field measures are certain pre step for planting autochthonous species – wild apples, wild pears, wild cherries, wild plums, walnut and hazel. Works on this intervention site will involve the careful removal of shrubs and old, diseased trees, which currently hinder healthy soil development and natural regeneration. By clearing these elements, we aim to restore balance to the local ecosystem and improve the overall health of the forest habitat.

Another reason for field measures preparation timing is the fact that autumn is period where the danger of fires caused by the long, dry periods are less than in summer and finally the ground will be fresh and impregnated with upcoming rain.

Combined with the tools which will help forest and protected areas managers to visualize complexity of ongoing processes and implement climate-resilient measures – restoration of wood pastures and meadows, planting of native trees and vegetation is level up. This measure will help Large carnivores larger food resources as a respond to new climate-induced challenges.

WWF Adria has already provided seedlings and we are looking forward to make this area the example place for preventing human-wildlife conflict and more resistant Large carnivores corridors.