The green band Europe: Lifeline for endangered species in the border area!

The green band Europe: Lifeline for endangered species in the border area!

This day, June 6, 2025, the view of the Green Band Europa that has arisen from the former border region of the Iron Curtain. Alois Lang from the Burgenland Nature Conservation Association reports on the development of this unique area, which runs from Barentssee to the Black Sea with a total length of around 12,500 kilometers and brings 24 European countries together.

This region, which remained unaffected by humanity for almost 40 years during the Cold War, has established itself for a retreat and development room for nature. The former border that was never allowed to enter offered a welcome opportunity for endangered species to recover. Surprisingly, the green band has developed into a habitat and distribution corridor for many protected plant and animal species. According to Wikipedia it includes 1,300 nature reserves that extend along this lifeline.

from death strip to the lifeline

The idea of ​​a green band began in 2002 when Hubert Weiger, the chairman of the Bund Naturschutz in Bavaria, presented the concept. There was a first international conference in Bonn, followed by another in Hungary in 2004, which gave the starting signal for the initiative for the Green Band Europe . Mikhail Gorbachev took over the patronage, and since then citizens, countries and nature conservation organizations have been working together to preserve this extraordinary landscape.

The Green Band Europa is not only a nature conservation project, but also a symbol of the preservation of culture and history. It combines the various habitats in Europe, from Boreal forests in the Fennoscandia section to species-rich wetlands in the Balkans. This diversity is crucial for biodiversity, and international cooperation is considered the key to protecting these areas.

challenges and opportunities

Currently there are still many challenges to be overcome. The sensitive ecosystems endanger threats from intensive agriculture, infrastructure projects and poaching. The political situation in Europe, such as the Russian-Ukrainian War, also complicates the exchange of scientific data, which further dampens the efforts to protect the green band. Alois Lang, who worked as a IUCN coordinator for the Green Band Europe between 2005 and 2008, is aware of these challenges and is committed to sustainable regional development.

Through initiatives such as natural tourism, these areas should not only be protected, but also better integrated into society. The National Park Neusiedler See-Seewinkel, where endangered species such as swamp-ear owls and large rapies live, is a lively example of these efforts. This shows in particular how nature conservation and regional development can go hand in hand.

summarized the green band Europe is an impressive example of how a lifeline can emerge from a former death strip. The use of 150 institutions from 24 resorts shows that European cooperation in nature conservation is not only possible, but also necessary to preserve the remaining natural jewels for future generations. Initiatives for the nomination of the green band as a UNESCO World Heritage are already in the corridor, and hope is great that this dream will be fulfilled one day.