The professional community of the Vadonleső (Wilderness Watcher) Program has selected the Steppe polecat as the 2026 Mammal of the Year. This community data collection initiative is operated by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd., with the cooperation of the Hungarian Natural History Museum and the Budapest Zoo.
As part of the GRASSLAND-HU LIFE Integrated Project, this year’s volunteer mowing camp was organised by the Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd., with professional support of the Duna–Ipoly National Park Directorate. During the six-day program, participants carried out conservation-oriented manual mowing on the protected Göbölyjárás fen meadow, in the Tápió region.
Hungary’s grassland ecosystems play a crucial role in the country’s natural heritage. Three-quarters of protected plant species and half of protected animal species are associated with these habitats, said Bertalan Balczó at the opening event of a series of model farm demonstrations launched under the Grassland Project in Kőszeg. The Deputy State Secretary for Nature Conservation added that the Project plays a key role in the long-term preservation of domestic grasslands.
The Lutheran Secondary School of Kőszeg organized a professional day on grassland management. As a model farm participating in the Grassland-HU LIFE Integrated Project , the institution aimed to provide its students and local farmers with up-to-date information on various aspects of grassland management.
The Kocsér Grassland Conservation Management Advisory and Landscape Unit Center's handover ceremony took place on 12th-13th September 2024.
We organised a nature conservation volunteer camp at the legendary Szőce bog. More than twenty adult volunteers helped us to preserve one of the most exceptional habitats in Hungary by collecting hay that had been mown on the bog.
The best 30 images of “The Secrets of Grasslands” photo contest are on display from 31 March, 2022. The aim of the exhibition is to bring people closer to the unique animals that live in grasslands. After showcasing the photos in Budapest, from April, the exhibition will tour around the country.
Under Grassland-HU LIFE Integrated Project, Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd., with its project partners, has decided to hold a second photo contest again this year. The aim of this year contest is to draw attention to the importance of conservation of grasslands through the presentation and promotion of grasslands habitats and species, and their high biodiversity values.
The Grassland Conservation Management Advisory Service was established under the Grassland-HU integrated project to promote conservation-friendly grassland management and provide professional support for farmers who are open to adapt agri-environmental measures.
Grassland-HU is the first nature conservation project in Hungary in LIFE Integrated Projects and it is coordinated by Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd. The aim of the project is to restore and enhance Pannonian Steppe grasslands habitats and species – András Béres, the managing director of the Ltd., said.