From small to big – together for the nature of the Iron Gates

The biodiversity of the Iron Gates is remarkable, being one of the most diverse in the country. The area provides habitats for more than 3,000 species of plants, for more than 250 species of birds, as well as for a number of amphibian, reptile, mammal and invertebrate species. Of the 32 species of bats in Romania, at least 23 are present in the caves and habitats of the Iron Gates, with several colonies of continental importance, for example those in the Gura Ponicovei Cave or in the Veterani Cave.

The Iron Gates are very important to us, CBRC, as evidenced by the multiple projects carried out in the past and present. With the discovery of ringed specimens arriving from Serbia, we realized that bats from the Iron Gates and Banat are permanently connected to those from Serbia. Thus we have already implemented conservation measures within our cross-border project funded by the Conservation Leadership Programme, but we are also continuing within the framework of an international LIFE project. But there are always areas not covered.

Thus, within a project financed by the Environmental Partnership Foundation and MOL Romania, the CBRC, in partnership with the Iron Gates Nature Park Administration, implements a project for the education and awareness of the young generation. The aim of the project is to improve the conservation of natural values in the Iron Gates Nature Park, through the active involvement of the young generation in protecting biodiversity, as well as by making visitors and locals aware of the existence of protected fauna near public roads. The project runs from April to September 2024, with a budget of RON 36,964.29, of which EPF – MOL financing is 92%, respectively RON 34,109.29. The activities are carried out in the area of the Iron Gates Nature Park, on the administrative territory of 9 municipalities and 2 cities, through the direct involvement of the schools in the protected natural area, of road administrators, but also of administrators of the national forest fund.

The objectives of the project are:

1. Improving the conservation of local species in the Iron Gates Nature Park, by avoiding / reducing the number of road fatalities, and by increasing awareness among local communities and park visitors.
2. Making the young generation responsible for the ecological requirements of the protected species in the Iron Gates Nature Park, by placing biodiversity kits into operation and monitoring them in schoolyards.
3. Raising awareness of the general public about the natural values of the Iron Gates Nature Park and the emblematic species, through an online campaign.

At the moment, warning signs are placed on roads, regarding the crossing by wild animals, specifically amphibians and reptiles. The activity is necessary because monitoring has revealed significant wildlife mortality along National Road 57 (DN57) due to road traffic. DN57 crosses almost the entire length of the protected area, also connecting the park with neighboring protected areas (e.g. PN Nerei Gorge – Beușnița), and even with cross-border ones (PN Djerdap). The crossing from the land (mountains) towards the water (Danube) can be a real challenge for amphibians, reptiles and mammals, they becoming “victims of the roads”. The activity of installing road signals will reduce traffic-related mortality, but it will also make the general public aware that they find themselves inside a protected area.

Similarly, we are preparing to raise the awareness of the younger generation, with activities organized in the schools inside the park. The activity also includes placing a biodiversity kit in each school, consisting of an insect hotel, an artificial bat house, and a bird feeder. In parallel, we are working on more than 150 infographics about the protected species of the natural park, which will contain simple information about these species and about simple ways to protect them. They will be distributed online.

We’ll keep you posted on the progress of the project!