RESTORIVER, presented for the first time to BIG DAY 2025 participants – over 50 birdwatching enthusiasts discovered the potential of the Zaghen polder

BIG DAY 2025 – the Ornithological Marathon provided the ideal setting for showcasing the international RESTORIVER project, implemented in Romania in the Zaghen polder area near Tulcea. The more than 50 participants were introduced to the project’s objectives, which aim to continue the renaturation process of this peri-urban wetland, an area with significant ecological and recreational potential and part of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.

During the event held between 17–19 October, hosted by the Agigea Marine Biological Research Station, located at the edge of the protected natural area Marine Dunes of Agigea, Romanian Ornithological Society representatives involved in the RESTORIVER Project highlighted the importance of continuing ecological restoration works in the Zaghen polder. They also emphasized the crucial role of water retention measures as a way to mitigate the effects of droughts and extreme weather events. The emphasis was placed on the long-term benefits for the community brought by this international project implemented in six sites across six European countries along the Danube: increasing the resilience of this ecosystem, improving habitat quality, and expanding opportunities for educational and recreational activities in nature.

Participants received the official RESTORIVER project brochure and were invited to include the Zaghen polder on their list of birdwatching hotspots, given that the restoration of this wetland habitat has attracted an increasing number of species throughout the year, many typical of the Danube Delta. For many of those present, the project offered an added discovery within a marathon dedicated to the biodiversity of Dobrogea, bringing a practical, field-based dimension to discussions on nature conservation.

Integrated into the overall atmosphere of BIG DAY 2025, the segment dedicated to RESTORIVER once again demonstrated the importance of collaboration between the scientific community, NGOs, and nature enthusiasts in protecting and restoring local ecosystems.