Carpathian Mountains
Building a 200,000-hectare wilderness reserve in Romania’s Făgăraș Mountains to restore natural processes at scale.
The Făgăraș Mountains rise across the heart of Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, forming one of the largest forest landscapes in the region. Old-growth forests, alpine meadows and free-flowing rivers support thriving populations of brown bear, grey wolf and Eurasian lynx, alongside red deer, chamois and rare endemic plants.
In recent decades, intensive logging, overgrazing and habitat fragmentation have weakened ecological resilience. European bison and Eurasian beaver were lost from the landscape. Human–wildlife conflict increased as communities bore the costs of living alongside large carnivores.
Foundation Conservation Carpathia is working to reverse this trajectory. By securing land, restoring habitats and rebuilding ecological processes, the project is preparing the ground for a 200,000-hectare national park that benefits nature, climate and local communities alike.
Făgăraș Mountains, Southern Carpathians
Romania
2019-2025
US$4,999,990
200,000 ha
Old-growth forest, mixed temperate forest, alpine meadows, riparian corridors
Brown bear, grey wolf, Eurasian lynx, European bison, Eurasian beaver
Carbon storage, freshwater provision, flood mitigation, climate regulation, nature-based tourism
Why this place matters
European bison (from Germany and Poland) were released into the project area in autumn 2019.
The Carpathian Mountains play a central role in maintaining ecological connectivity across the region. The Făgăraș range holds extensive forests, alpine habitats and river systems that store carbon, regulate water and sustain biodiversity at scale.
Restitution-era logging and monoculture plantations reduced forest diversity. Alpine grasslands degraded under heavy grazing. Wildlife populations faced pressure from overhunting and shrinking habitat. At the same time, communities experienced increasing conflict with bears and wild boars moving closer to villages.
Restoring ecological function here strengthens biodiversity, stabilises carbon stocks and creates new pathways for sustainable rural development.
Action on the ground
of clear-cut forest restored using 2.5 million native seedlings.
2 rapid response teams resolving 800+ human–wildlife incidents.
of riverbank cleared of invasive species.
local producers supplying the Roadele Munților food hub.
of land secured for long-term conservation.
European bison and 62 Eurasian beavers returned to the landscape.
conservation enterprises supporting 110+ jobs.
Monitoring highlights
The project team monitors a range of indicators covering topics ranging from ecological recovery to economic impacts and community engagement. This helps to inform adaptive management.
Objective: Increase diversity and cover of forest understory vegetation
Objective: Improve chemical and physical water properties
Objective: Increase length of restored and connected riparian habitat
Objective: Increase wildlife acceptance within local communities
Objective: Increase the gross income of participating conservation enterprises
Objective: Shift visitor motivation and behaviour towards nature-based activities
In the Făgăraș mountains, changes including the loss of keystone large herbivores have led to a decrease in the habitat heterogeneity and ecological integrity of vegetated montane habitats. This trial tested whether reintroducing European bison, which have been lost from the area, had an impact on plant species composition across different habitats. This was tested by monitoring vegetation cover of herbaceous plants, shrubs and grasses both in areas grazed by bison and in fenced exclosures that were not grazed. Initial results suggest that bison grazing may reduce both grass and shrub cover, which could reduce crowding out of tree saplings and increase tree regeneration.
Human–Wildlife Coexistence
Large carnivores are central to the Carpathian Mountains, but coexistence requires constant coordination. Two rapid response teams operate across neighbouring villages, responding to more than 800 wildlife incidents and working directly with farmers to reduce damage and prevent escalation.
Preventive measures include installing 92 electric fences, providing 63 Carpathian shepherd-dog puppies to livestock owners and managing waste to reduce bear attractants. Trophy hunting has been replaced with conflict mitigation in project-managed areas, shifting the focus from extraction to coexistence.
Working with researchers at the University of Cambridge, the project has also piloted an AI-based real-time alert system for bears and wild boars. Using 4G-enabled camera traps and machine learning models trained on thousands of images, the system identifies animals and sends instant alerts to intervention teams. Early trials show highly accurate detection and significantly faster response times, helping protect both livelihoods and wildlife.
Nature-Based Tourism and Conservation Enterprise
Restoration in the Carpathian Mountains is linked directly to economic opportunity. Through its Conservation Enterprise Programme, the project supports nature-positive businesses that reduce pressure on forests while strengthening local livelihoods.
Sixteen conservation enterprises now operate in the landscape, supporting more than 110 jobs. Thirty local producers supply the Roadele Munților food hub, increasing access to regional markets and building pride in local products. Revenue from supported enterprises has grown significantly in recent years, demonstrating that conservation and economic resilience can advance together.
By investing in ecotourism, local food systems and green entrepreneurship, the project is helping shape a rural economy aligned with a future national park.
What’s next
feasibility study completed to advance national park designation.
or more of degraded ecosystems prioritised for continued restoration.
AI alert system scaled across additional villages.
Long-term funding secured to sustain restoration and coexistence measures.
proposed for formal protected status
local enterprises supported through conservation finance.
Restoration Works
Restoration Works showcases the accomplishments of projects supported by the ELSP which have completed their funding period.
Visit the Carpathian Mountains website
A safe haven for the future: restoring Romania’s Carpathian Mountains
Restoring nature at scale: the story of two programmes
Restoration works: Seven years of change across Europe’s landscapes and seascapes
