News

"Birdwatching gives me great inner peace"

In a world where nature conservation and protection of the environment is needed more than ever, women are playing a key role. In this series of articles, we are shining a light on those women whose passion, courage and vision is bringing positive change and making a significant contribution to the conservation of nature in Europe.

Nature on sale

"Albania is one of the world's fastest growing destinations."

How Albania is selling off its natural treasures.

Lynx conservation project honoured

The LIFE Lynx project has won two prestigious LIFE 2025 awards. The expert jury recognized the project as the best in Europe in the Nature Conservation & Biodiversity category, while the public also voted it the audience award winner.

Stork village meeting in Slovakia: A look at challenges and successes in stork conservation

The annual meeting of European stork villages took place for the first time in the Slovakian stork village of Buzica from 25 to 28 May. Around 30 participants from seven villages discussed the latest developments, challenges and successes in European stork conservation.

Komarnica dam: postponed instead of cancelled

The Komarnica River will continue to flow freely through its eponymous canyon - at least for the time being. The project has been temporarily halted, but not cancelled.

Aoos Springs Dam Drains Life from One of Europe’s Last Wild Rivers

The lack of required ecological flow from a hydropower dam in the Greek section of the Aoos/Vjosa River is endangering a unique and fragile ecosystem. A new scientific study underscores the urgent need to establish a minimum flow regime to restore the river’s ecological functions and safeguard its rich biodiversity.

Scientists across Europe oppose hydropower development in Montenegro’s Komarnica Canyon

++ Delayed environmental review and decision-making raise serious concerns over transparency and governance ++ Procedural failures and legal shortcuts undermine public trust in Montenegro’s environmental commitments ++

Millions of birds still illegally killed – and most countries failing to stop it

++ Joint report by EuroNatur and BirdLife on illegal bird hunting ++Only 8 out of 46 countries on track to meet anti-poaching pledge by 2030 ++

EU Parliament votes to weaken wolf protection

In a deeply concerning move for biodiversity across Europe, the European Parliament approved on the 8th of May the European Commission’s proposal to downgrade the protection status of wolves under the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive. What is particularly worrying is that the fast-track vote was taken in an urgency procedure in which the responsible environmental committee was not even consulted. ++ Addendum of 10 June 2025: Following the EU Parliament, the member states have now also approved the amendment. ++

Test flights at Vlora Airport construction site – A big show

++ Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama boasts of test flights at Vlora International Airport ++ Munich Airport no longer active in an advisory capacity ++ European institutions and Bern Convention sharply criticise controversial Vlora airport project ++