The Republic of Moldova is enhancing its nature protection system, by improving the management of protected areas and supporting local volunteer rangers, as part of Czech-Moldovan cooperation, facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The project has contributed to improved management of three protected areas (Lower Nistru National Park, Orhei National Park and Codrii Nature Reserve). At the same time, with support of Czech and UNDP, Moldova is seeking to establish the Natura 2000 network in Moldova. Natura 2000 is the key instrument to protect biodiversity in the European Union. It is an ecological network of protected areas, set up to ensure the survival of Europe's most valuable species and habitats. 

“The ultimate goal is not the creation of the Natura 2000 network as such, but the permanent protection of nature within its territory,” noted Petr Roth, the former Czech Deputy Minister of Environment and project expert.

With funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic offered via UNDP, the CSOs Arnika (Czech Republic) and Biotica (Republic of Moldova), strengthened volunteer rangers’ network – currently 40 people in the Republic of Moldova, mostly concentrated in central part of the country. The volunteer rangers benefited from a capacity development programme, improving their knowledge about protected areas‘ management, excessive tourism, use of drones, forest management, river revitalisation etc. 

"It's inspiring to see how there is a priority given to eco-education and building relationships between rangers and the public, instead of fines, which are seen as a last resort," said Nicolae Nastasi, representative of the Moldovan Association of Volunteer Rangers.

Also, the rangers received essential equipment: binoculars, 1st aid kids and branded materials. Each beneficiary protected area (Orhei, Lower Nistru and Codrii) received a drone and a small boat to help monitoring the protected areas.

"We hope that this support will help them to be better equipped, more visible and hopefully more respected by protected area visitors," said Pavel Pinkava, Arnika's international project coordinator.

Currently, the volunteer rangers need more public recognition and institutional support. The UNDP-Czech partnership seeks to make the network fully operational, protected and respected, but also to assist Moldovan rangers in international networking and experience sharing.

To become volunteer rangers, it is needed to obtain a special ID card issued by the Environmental Protection Inspectorate. With the help of these volunteers, illegal felling of trees, poaching, sewage dumping, illegal waste dumping, etc., are prevented, detected and punished. The volunteer rangers are not financially remunerated and act out of care about their community and nature. Their work comes to complement the one of the environmental inspectors.