Prespa’s Wet Meadows: Protecting a Vital Landscape Through Thoughtful Conservation

For the sixth consecutive year, the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) has successfully coordinated the seasonal mowing of wet meadows in the Prespa region. This is a vital conservation effort delivered in collaboration with the Municipality of Resen, Ezerani Nature Park, Galicica National Park, local livestock farmers and agricultural communities.

This year’s mowing campaign resulted in approximately 18 hectares of mowed meadows and around 70 tons of collected hay. The hay was then distributed among local farmers and the reproduction centre for the European deer in Galicica National Park, directly supporting both nature conservation and sustainable rural livelihoods.

Prespa’s wet meadows are among the most ecologically valuable habitats in the region, supporting rich biodiversity and providing key ecosystem services. Their effective management based on good nature-based practices and the cooperation of stakeholders is of great importance from both an ecological and socio-economic perspective. Helping to preserve the local flora and fauna, supporting traditional livestock farming, and in the control of wildfires, particularly on the vulnerable northern shore of the Great Prespa Lake.

To highlight the importance of this type of habitat, MES organised a public presentation and roundtable on the 19^th of June 2025 in Resen, entitled “Wet Meadows in Prespa: Importance, Conservation, and Management.” The event opened with addresses by MES Executive Director Robertina Brajanoska and Ayman Al-Malla, Head of the Environmental Sector of the Municipality of Resen. A presentation by MES’s Lazar Nikolov showcased ongoing meadow management efforts, followed by a dynamic discussion with participation by representatives of local and national institutions, including Galicica and Pelister National Parks, UNDP, local NGOs, and members of the community.

The roundtable served as a platform for presenting the current achievements of the project activity and for gathering ideas on expanding the initiative, exploring its replication in other local habitats, and reinforcing sustainable environmental practices throughout the transboundary Prespa region.

This activity is implemented as part of the project “PrespaNet III – Transboundary Prespa Biodiversity Conservation“, supported by the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT), the Aage V. Jensen Foundation, and EuroNatur.

By: MES