Review 2022
Dear Friends of
Nature,
Our activities in 2022 mainly
concerned the protection of the Lord's Meadow, an old hay meadow
measuring 40 ha in Luna de Jos (near Cluj-Napoca), which is no
longer mown by the local farmers. As a result, it is becoming
increasingly overgrown by shrubs and the excessive sheep grazing is
also having a negative impact on the vegetation structure and
typical meadow species.
Yet the meadow is a great example
of what treasures the interaction of natural resources and
extensive agriculture can create: it is the only known place in
Europe where five taxa of Maculinea butterflies (synonym:
Phengaris) occur together - or did until recently, one
must unfortunately say, as the abandonment of mowing as well as the
grazing has already severely affected the butterfly
populations.
It is not yet too late for the
Maculinea butterflies - which is why we have continued to
work this year for the long-term protection of the Lord's
Meadow:
- In spring, a 1.2-hectare area in the Lord's Meadow was cleared
from shrubs and the material was used to build a natural fence as
protection against grazing.
- In cooperation with other local organisations, controls and
discussions with the sheep farmers ensured that this area was not
grazed throughout the summer.
- At the end of August, the 2 hectares were then mown with a
small mowing machine and the hay was removed from the area.
- We were also able to sign renting contracts for further plots
in the Lord's Meadow.
Many thanks to all the people who helped with the practical
implementation of the measures and to all those who supported us
through donations! We are also happy that the NaLa Association will
dedicate a part of the donations from his year's Christmas tree
campaign to us again.
Season's greetings and best wishes for a Happy New
Year!