Spring field visit to project sites

In the spring of 2025, the staff of the Hortobágy National Park Directorate organized a field day across several sites of the Grassland-HU project, which aims to ensure the long-term conservation of Pannonian grasslands and their associated habitats. Thanks to the habitat management activities carried out to date, we observed thriving plant communities at our demonstration sites.

Within the territory of the Hortobágy National Park Directorate (HNPD), four project areas with different characteristics have been designated in the national scale programme, three of which are located in Szatmár-Bereg (Kaszonyi-hegy in Barabás, fülesdi marshland, Hetefejércssei pasture) and one in Nyírség (Daru-rét in Petneház), covering a total area of 169 hectares.

Habitat reconstructions carried out in recent years have yielded spectacular results. Out of 129 species sown in the former 17-hectare arable land on Daru Meadow, 91 species were identified. From seed mixtures collected from natural grasslands, we confirmed the presence of 23 additional native species, whose establishment is also welcome, fitting into the restored habitat community.

After the work carried out on the acacia and wild grapevine areas of Kaszonyi Hill (grass planting following invasive eradication on 34 ha), we can now see continuous clearings. Moreover, native grassland vegetation has also appeared in the area. Thanks to the investments, a forest consisting of native tree species is growing from the former acacia forest.

The Fülesdi bog was adorned in its former splendor. The continuous clearing of the 2.5 hectares of walking willow and the sowing of a special grass seed mixture at the right time produced spectacular results. Thanks to the water-retaining concrete structure built on the Cibere canal, a soil moisture was improved in the area, thus ensuring proper levels even in drought years.

At the project sites, the priority will slowly shift to site maintenance, conservation and monitoring of the work carried out so far. Naturally, this task will also involve staff from the HNPD1s Ranger Sevice and the Grassland Conservation Management Advisory Service.

Source: Hortobágy National Park Directorate