Community experience in the service of nature

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.

One of the main objectives of the camp was to introduce participants to the traditional tools and techniques of  scything. Practical training was led by master blacksmith Péter Kovács, who not only demonstrated the use and maintenance of the scythe but also shared a wide range of practical skills with the participants.

Manual mowing plays a particularly important role from the point of view of nature conservation, as it enables the gentle management of sensitive habitats, the protection of threatened, hence legally protected plant species, and the creation of refuge strips and uncut patches. In addition, the carbon footprint of manual mowing is significantly lower than that of mechanical alternatives. Along with these goals, the organizers placed strong emphasis on sustainability and the presentation of local natural and cultural values.

The event was not solely about professional fieldwork: leisure activities provided opportunity to explore the natural and cultural heritage of the Tápió region and to sample local products on several occasions. Participants visited, among others, the National Centre for Biodiversity and Gene Conservation, the Kékbegy (Luscinia svecica) nature trail, the Koshalom Indigenous Animal Park, and the “Street of the Past” Village Museum.

The camp provided participants with first-hand insight to  the importance of practical conservation work, while equipping them with valuable hands-on skills. It also served as an exemplary demonstration of how nature conservation, community building, and the appreciation and promotion of local heritage can be effectively integrated.

Source: Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd.