Iron Curtain to Green Belt
Restoring ecological networks across Southeast Bulgaria to protect steppe wildlife and ecosystems.
Stretching along Bulgaria’s southern border with Greece and Turkey, the former Iron Curtain has become a haven for biodiversity. Extending from the Rhodope Mountains to the Black Sea, this region hosts 81 IUCN Red List species and remains one of Europe’s most ecologically diverse areas. It supports breeding populations of eastern imperial eagle and Egyptian vulture, and provides habitat for wolves, jackals and roe deer.
Years of forest conversion, grassland loss and climate-induced wildfires have threatened the landscape’s natural balance. The Iron Curtain to Green Belt project is restoring native forests, water sources and grasslands to rebuild connectivity across this 810,000 hectare corridor, creating a resilient ecological network that supports wildlife recovery and sustainable local livelihoods.
Southeast Bulgaria
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds / BirdLife Bulgaria
Ongoing since 2022
810,000 ha
Oak forests, riverine forests, grasslands
Eastern imperial eagle, Egyptian vulture, European souslik, Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise, red deer, grey wolf
Soil restoration, water retention, carbon sequestration, climate adaptation, sustainable grazing
Why this place matters
This landscape is a national stronghold for raptors such as the eastern imperial eagle and Egyptian vulture.
The landscapes of Southeast Bulgaria form an important ecological bridge between Europe and Asia. The region’s combination of xerothermic and riverine forests, natural and semi-natural grasslands and steppe habitats supports species found nowhere else on the continent. It is a national stronghold for raptors such as the eastern imperial eagle and Egyptian vulture, and provides wintering and stopover sites for globally threatened migratory birds including the greater spotted eagle and red-footed falcon.
Decades of conversion of native oak forests to conifer plantations, ploughing of grasslands and frequent wildfires have degraded these habitats. Poorly adapted conifers are now dying from drought and pests, while poaching and poisoning continue to threaten predator and scavenger populations.
Despite these challenges, the area retains extensive tracts of natural habitat, low human population density and a rich base of wildlife. Recent government support for protected area expansion and improved Natura 2000 management has created an opportunity to restore ecological processes and rebuild the region’s natural resilience.
Action on the ground
The project is restoring forest, grassland and wetland habitats across the former border zone to create a connected ecological network.
Reforesting burnt areas to stabilise soils and support wildlife
creating 30 ha of riverine forest
nurseries being equipped with technology to propagate native oak species for reforestation at scale
Supporting local entrepreneurs in developing nature-based business models
Restoring and reconnecting woodland, scrub, grassland, peatland and wetland habitats
of conifer plantations are being replaced with native oak and mixed deciduous forests
Demonstrating sustainable pasture management through traditional and extensive grazing methods
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 of herbaceous vegetation, shrubs and trees in restored treelines
Objective: increase number and size of protected souslik colonies
Objective: reduce number of hectares of forest susceptible to fire
Objective: increase number of nature-based enterprises
Objective: reduce frequency of poaching
Restoring nature at scale: the story of two programmes
Building nature-positive economies through partnership in Kakheti and Sakar
Recording the voices of a changing landscape
