Polesia
Protecting and restoring one of Europe’s largest wetland landscapes.
Polesia is one of Europe’s last great wetland wildernesses. Stretching across the Pripyat River basin, its vast peatlands, flood-plains and forests support species such as European bison, Eurasian lynx, grey wolf and greater spotted eagle, while storing carbon, regulating water and supporting local livelihoods.
Over the last century, large areas of the landscape were drained, fragmented and degraded. Wetlands dried out, peatlands became vulnerable to fire and important habitats were lost or disconnected.
Led by Frankfurt Zoological Society and partners, this project is helping secure the future of Polesia through protected area expansion, wetland restoration planning, scientific research and community action across one of Europe’s most important natural landscapes.
Polesia, Ukraine (and Belarus until 2022)
Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS)
2019-2026
US$4,402,923
5,800,000 ha
Wetlands, peatlands, floodplain meadows, marshes, mires and raised bogs
Greater spotted eagle, great snipe, European bison, moose, Eurasian lynx, grey wolf and greater noctule bat
Carbon storage, flood regulation, freshwater supply, climate mitigation, landscape connectivity
Why this place matters
Spanning more than 18 million hectares across Eastern Europe, Polesia contains one of the largest remaining natural complexes in Europe’s temperate lowlands. The project focuses on approximately one-third of this vast landscape.
Its wetlands and peatlands support globally important populations of species including aquatic warbler, greater spotted eagle and European bison. The region also provides critical breeding habitat for migratory birds travelling along the African-Eurasian flyways.
Beyond biodiversity, Polesia’s wetlands store vast amounts of carbon, regulate water flows and help reduce the impacts of floods, droughts and wildfire. Maintaining these natural functions is becoming increasingly important as climate change intensifies across the region.
Action on the ground
Over seven years, the project strengthened protection, prepared large-scale restoration activities and improved understanding of the Polesia landscape.
people trained in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.
institutions involved in project delivery.
tCO₂e projected to be mitigated by 2042.
170,000 hectares proposed as Emerald Network Areas of Special Conservation Interest.
of protected areas designated or expanded.
of drained mires and flood-plains prepared for restoration.
of rare and protected habitats legally protected.
Protecting one of Europe’s last wetland wildernesses
One of the project’s biggest achievements has been securing long-term protection for some of Polesia’s most important wetlands, forests and flood-plains.
More than 105,000 hectares received new or stronger protection through the creation of new protected areas and the expansion of existing reserves. This included Pushcha Radzivila National Park, Starobinsky Nature Reserve and Lva Flood-plain Nature Reserve.
The project also identified 127,000 hectares of high-conservation-value forest and helped secure legal protection for nearly 37,000 hectares of important habitats and species sites.
These efforts are helping to keep large areas of Polesia connected, giving wildlife the space it needs to move, adapt and thrive.
Bringing water back to the landscape
For much of the twentieth century, wetlands across Polesia were drained for agriculture and development. As water levels fell, peatlands dried out, habitats degraded and wildfire risk increased.
The project has laid the foundations for reversing these impacts by preparing around 17,000 hectares of drained mires and flood-plains for restoration.
Engineering designs, environmental assessments and baseline monitoring have been completed across multiple sites in Ukraine. Restoration work is now underway to slow water loss, restore natural flood dynamics and reconnect wetlands with the landscapes around them.
Over time, these actions will help rebuild wetland habitats, improve water retention, reduce fire risk and restore the natural functions that make Polesia such an important landscape.
Understanding and safeguarding Polesia
Protecting a landscape as vast as Polesia starts with understanding how it works.
The project developed the first detailed land-cover map of the entire region and established one of the largest biodiversity monitoring networks ever deployed across the landscape. Nearly 400 camera-trap locations and more than 600 acoustic monitoring stations have helped reveal how wildlife uses forests, wetlands and flood-plains.
These data have already informed protected area expansion, habitat protection and restoration planning.
The project also established 18 volunteer groups known as the “Caretakers of Polesia”. With more than 260 members, these groups help monitor wildlife, identify important habitats and champion conservation within their communities.
Together, science and local stewardship are helping to build a stronger future for Polesia.
What’s Next
The project has established strong foundations for restoring and protecting Polesia. Future work will focus on scaling up restoration, strengthening protected areas and developing a long-term vision for the wider landscape.
protected areas targeted for strengthened management over the next two years.
year roadmap planned for landscape-scale restoration planning.
Additional mire and flood-plain restoration planned across priority sites.
Long-term funding needed to support restoration and protected area management.
ready for wetland restoration implementation.
hectare transboundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve proposal under development.
Restoration Works
Restoration Works showcases the accomplishments of projects supported by the ELSP which have completed their funding period.
Visit the Polesia website
Restoration works: Seven years of change across Europe’s landscapes and seascapes
Chornobyl on fire: the growing problem of wildfires in the exclusion zone
Restoration and resilience in Polesia: a 2025 update
Where water shapes life: Polesia’s wetlands and people
