Living Landscape - restoration of a landscape mosaic along the Hungarian Green Belt

Objective

The project aims were the following:

• Restoring the landscape's ecological functions through small-scale interventions applied across large areas.
• Promoting modern, evidence-based grassland management practices to support biodiversity conservation.
• Transforming public attitudes to help halt further land use expansion.

Approach

The project achieved its aims through:

• Habitat creation and connectivity initiatives – including veteran trees, hedgerows, and wetlands.
• Training for future conservationists and land managers.
• Raising awareness – surprising the public with little-known facts about land use and its impacts.

Achieved Results

The project fostered positive, landscape-scale changes that restore and reinforce macro-ecological functions and strengthen public awareness:

• 10 Veteran Tree Reserves, 2 km of restored tree-lines and hedgerows, and 4 water retention actions  enhanced the landscape mosaic.
• 45 Scops Owl nest boxes installed, increasing habitat connectivity.
• 2 stakeholder workshops carried out, 1 outdoor educational trail and 1 youth camp organized. 
• Series of Living Landscape Factsheets created to promote new, sustainable farming approaches.
• 3 short films, online educational materials, and public campaigns launched to transform public attitudes and halt further land conversion.