The realm of the Great Bustards is getting ready to welcome its visitors

The project started as a cross-border, public-private partnership between the Municipality of Salonta (project leader), Milvus Transylvania West Association, the Municipality of Békés and Körösök Völgye Natúrpark Association from Hungary.

On the Romanian side, the main activities focus on three directions: tourism, nature conservation, education and awareness-raising, and were devised to protect the Great Bustard, a critically endangered (CR) bird in Romania and vulnerable (VU) globally.

In 2022, the Municipality of Salonta, the project leader, carried out significant activities to protect and showcase the local natural values (watch the video below):

• ● completed the construction of a visitor centre in Salonta (exit to Arad on DN79/E671, on the right)
• ● built a bridge over a wetland (eutrophic lake)
• ● completed the construction of an observation tower
• ● built a bikeway to the observation tower.

By the end of the project, 23 information boards will be placed along the four themed trails and a guide of these routes will be printed in three languages (Romanian, Hungarian and English). Visitors will be able to find out more about the natural and cultural values on the outskirts of Salonta either by walking or cycling.

On a final note, we invite you to watch some memorable images with bustards during the previous year in Salonta.

• Text and video editing: Laura Turdean 
• Photos: "Milvus Group" Association