Welcome to PPNEA’s Newsletter!
A note from the Team
In an age where news cycles move faster than ever, and attention is constantly divided, stories about nature rarely take center stage. Yet these are the stories that shape our collective conscience, the ones that remind us of our responsibility toward the living world that sustains us.
This newsletter is born from the belief that environmental awareness is not just the work of organizations or conventions; it begins with each of us as citizens, professionals, and human beings sharing a home with countless other species. Through it, PPNEA aims to bring you closer to the heart of nature conservation in Albania: the ongoing efforts to protect endangered species, the scientific work behind preservation, and the voices of those standing at the frontlines of change.
About PPNEA
Founded in 1991 as Albania’s first environmental NGO, PPNEA has been a pioneering force in the country’s environmental landscape for over three decades. The organization has dedicated itself to preserve Albania’s unique biodiversity, conserving wildlife, protecting critical ecosystems, advancing scientific research, empowering local communities, and advocating for stronger environmental policies.
PPNEA works to strengthen harmony between nature and human society in Albania, envisioning a world where responsible institutions and communities actively engage in conserving nature and preserving cultural heritage. Our mission is to secure a societal and governance framework where nature conservation is prioritized, achieved through rigorous scientific research, community engagement, strategic partnerships, and continuous interaction with decision-making institutions.
Copyright & Ownership All content in this newsletter, including images, graphics, and texts, is © PPNEA. The materials are intended to inform and inspire readers about Albania’s natural heritage and the efforts to protect it. Reproduction, distribution, or commercial use without explicit permission from PPNEA is prohibited.
PLANTING HOPE IN MUNELLA
A 5-YEAR TRADITION OF BRINGING HOPE BACK TO MOUNT MUNELLA!
For the past five years, every winter, dozens of professionals, nature enthusiasts, and volunteers have climbed Mount Munella to plant hope. What started as a volunteer initiative by forest engineers Roland Lleshi and Ilir Shyti in 2021 has grown into an annual tradition that combines care for nature with the power of community. Thanks to this initiative and various projects, 9,000 seedlings, including black pine and fruit trees such as chestnuts and walnuts, have been planted in the area.
Munella is one of the habitats of the Balkan lynx, a species which counts only 10 remaining individuals in Albania. For decades, the mountain has borne deep scars from illegal logging, fires, overexploitation, and habitat destruction. This is why every seedling we plant carries the weight of a promise.
This year, our goal is to plant 1,000 black pine (Pinus nigra) and fruit tree seedlings in the degraded areas of the mountain.
Every donation is a seed sown for the future:
One more tree
More oxygen
Less erosion
Greater security for local communities
One more chance for the Balkan lynx
Together, for Munella. For nature. For the generations to come.
Forest’s Future
The Northern Forests Initiative: Forest Restoration in North Macedonia and Albania brought together expertise, local knowledge, dedication, and hands-on work in the field.
Through this collaboration, fragmented habitats are being revived, ecological connectivity is being restored, and the foundation is being laid for a more resilient environment, where nature and communities can thrive together.
In Pursuit of the Invisible
Some stories are not easy to tell. They unfold in places few ever reach, deep within forests and across the most remote mountain peaks, where even tracks vanish before they can be followed.
Through the documentary “In Pursuit of the Invisible,” we invite you into the hidden world of the Balkan lynx, one of the most endangered and elusive species in Europe.This journey takes us to the heart of its habitat, where the camera captures what is rarely seen: the work of those who dedicate their lives to searching, monitoring, and protecting what, to most, remains… invisible.
IUCN Congress voting confirms: No justification for unsustainable tourism development at the expense of Protected Areas
The IUCN Congress has voted in favor of Motion 130, “Strengthening restrictions against unsustainable tourism infrastructure”. Upfront the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, members overwhelmingly approved Motion 130 with more than 98% of votes, calling for stronger restrictions on unsustainable tourism infrastructure in IUCN Category I and II protected areas.
IUCN Demands Albania to Amend Law Undermining the Protection of Protected Areas
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has overwhelmingly voted in favor of Motion 130, “Strengthening restrictions against unsustainable tourism infrastructure.” Ahead of the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, more than 98% of IUCN members approved this motion, sending a powerful global message: protected areas exist for conservation, not for mass development.
A crucial outcome of this decision is the call on the Government of Albania to amend Law No. 21/2024, which removed long-standing protections from the country’s most sensitive ecosystems. The IUCN Congress urged Albania to restore safeguards against airports, luxury resorts, and other large-scale infrastructure projects in IUCN Category I & II sites.
PPNEA Participates in the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025
The Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) participated as member organization no. 122 in the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
During the Congress, the project “Northern Forests Initiative: Forest Restoration in North Macedonia and Albania” was presented, highlighting efforts to restore forest ecosystems and strengthen ecological resilience through Nature-based Solutions (NbS). Aleksandër Trajçe, Executive Director of PPNEA, shared Albania’s experience in forest restoration, regional cooperation, and the essential role of local communities. Funded by the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation, the initiative represents an important step toward restoring forest landscapes across the Western Balkans.
Dr. Trajçe also contributed to the IUCN session “Tools for Nature,” presenting Albania’s experience in human–wildlife coexistence and conflict management, with insights from research and field projects on large carnivores and forest ecosystems.
Through its participation, PPNEA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation for biodiversity conservation and to contributing actively within the IUCN network.
International Small Mammals Camp 2025
Vjosa – Narta Conservation Camp 2025
New Research Confirms: The Balkan Lynx Has Found a Home in Shebenik
Encouraging news from Albania’s natural heritage: recently, two different individuals of the critically endangered Balkan lynx were photographed in Shebenik National Park. This confirmed that the species is no longer only a transient presence from Mavrovo National Park, but a resident of this protected area.
Shebenik’s well-preserved habitats provide the shelter, food, and space necessary for the lynx to thrive, highlighting the park’s importance for biodiversity conservation.
During June and the following months, PPNEA, in cooperation with the Macedonian Ecological Society, Callisto, Eko-Svest, Euronatur, and the Regional Administration of Protected Areas in Elbasan, carried out a transboundary camera-trap study. The initiative aimed to collect data on large carnivores such as lynx, bears and wolves to support joint conservation strategies across the region.
Scientific assessments under the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme had already identified Shebenik as a highly suitable habitat. Since the park’s designation in 2008 and the first photo-capture of a lynx in 2012, its presence has been consistently confirmed, underlining Shebenik’s growing role in conserving this rare species.
Thanks to long-term collaboration, local protected-area staff are now well equipped to monitor wildlife, marking a significant step forward for nature protection in the region.
Photo © PPNEA / AKZM Camera Traps
One Step Closer to Protecting Biodiversity in Munella
The drafting process for the Management Plan of Munella Nature Park has officially begun, marking an important step toward the long-term protection of biodiversity and the Balkan lynx. The process aims to establish a strategic framework for park management while ensuring strong institutional coordination and active involvement of local stakeholders.
The first meeting, held on July 24th in Katundi i Vjetër, Rubik, brought together representatives of the National Agency of Protected Areas, Regional Agencies of Protected Areas, PPNEA, and protected-area management experts. PPNEA is leading the process in collaboration with expert Goran Gugic, who presented a participatory and inclusive methodology focused on building management capacities and ensuring sustainable planning.
This initiative lays the foundation for effective and inclusive long-term management of Munella Nature Park and the protection of its natural values.
The Balkan lynx belongs in our forests, not in the pages of history. Yet, every day, illegal killing pushes this critically endangered species closer to extinction. With fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the wild, urgent action is needed to protect it from poaching, habitat loss, and human threats.
Across borders, people from institutions, schools, media, and activist communities have come together with a single message: “Protect the Balkan Lynx. Say No to Illegal Killing!” You can watch their inspiring videos here:
Protect the Balkan Lynx: Say No to Illegal Killing
Now it’s your turn!
Record your message, tag us, and help spread awareness. Every voice counts in protecting this rare species. Illegal killing isn’t just a crime; it disrupts the delicate balance of nature.
Join the campaign. Speak up. Share. Protect.
The Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme
The First National Symposium on Ecological Connectivity in Albania
From June 11–13, 2025, Razma hosted Albania’s first national symposium dedicated entirely to ecological connectivity a landmark gathering to advance nature conservation across the country and the wider region.
The event brought together researchers, public institutions, civil society, and international partners to share insights and build a common vision for ecological networks that connect protected areas with surrounding landscapes. Discussions focused on the impacts of habitat fragmentation, the role of green infrastructure, and best practices in biodiversity integration within spatial planning, restoration, monitoring, and environmental technologies.
The symposium marked an important step toward turning scientific knowledge into coordinated action, reinforcing ecological connectivity as a cornerstone of Albania’s long-term conservation and sustainable development efforts.
Biodiversity Conservation within the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans Report
Tracking the Cracking: Vigilance at the Vjosa Delta Secures Sea Turtle Nests
Our dedicated field team is currently immersed in the Vjosa Delta, executing a critical sea turtle monitoring program. Covering tens of kilometers daily, from sunrise to sunset, the objective is to monitor and identify nests of sea turtles (primarily Caretta caretta) to ensure their protection during the critical hatching period. This tireless effort is essential for safeguarding the future of these threatened species in the Adriatic.
Vulture and Bear Campaigns Sound Alarm on Illegal Killing
Vultures on the Brink: International Vulture Awareness Day highlighted the perilous state of the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus). With only four breeding pairs remaining in Albania, this species is a critical symbol of our fragile biodiversity. Their survival depends on eliminating threats like poisoning.
Bear Killings Continue: The tragic recent death of a bear fatally injured on a road in Bulqiza underscores the dangers facing large mammals. More disturbingly, the illegal use of snares is killing our bears and other wildlife. PPNEA is actively campaigning to stop these destructive practices and promote stricter enforcement.
The Snare: A silent killer of wildlife
Photo © Tiziana Lohja
Monitoring Migratory Birds in the Fllaka Lagoon: Traces of Life and Death
On World Migratory Bird Day, monitoring activities were carried out at several key sites across Albania to document migratory bird species using the country as a stopover along their migration routes. One of these activities took place at Fllaka Lagoon, an area of exceptional biodiversity along the Adriatic Flyway.
While numerous migratory species were recorded, signs of illegal hunting were also observed, highlighting a serious ongoing threat to migratory birds and their habitats. These findings underline the urgent need for stronger law enforcement, improved habitat protection, and increased public awareness.
The monitoring was conducted with the support of PPNEA volunteers, whose dedication plays a vital role in wildlife conservation efforts. Those interested in contributing to the protection of Albania’s natural heritage are invited to join our volunteer program.
Glimpses of our Campaigns
PPNEA Annual Report 2024
2024 was a challenging yet inspiring year for nature conservation in Albania.
It was marked by serious threats to the country’s protected areas following the adoption of a controversial law that raised concern among national and international experts. These challenges strengthened our conviction that defending nature is both a right and a responsibility.
Throughout the year, PPNEA continued to monitor, restore, and protect biodiversity, advocating for wetlands, forests, and threatened species. During the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process, we ensured that environmental protection remained central to regional development and EU integration discussions, contributing concrete policy recommendations.
Our commitment was especially visible in the ongoing efforts to protect Vjosa–Narta, where science, collaboration, and public engagement transformed local action into a national and international cause. At the same time, we strengthened ecological corridors, advanced the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme, monitored wildlife, and engaged communities and youth through education, art, and conservation initiatives.
This report reflects a year of resilience, vigilance, and dedication. Conservation is never easy, but it is essential. Looking ahead, PPNEA remains committed to advancing this mission through science, cooperation, and courage ensuring that nature’s voice continues to be heard and respected.
