Prespa’s Green & Blue Lifelines

Prespa's Green and Blue LifeLines

Prespa’s Green & Blue LifeLines

Reviving freshwater corridors and supporting sustainable management in the Prespa basin

Prespa’s streams and the Agios Germanos River may be modest in scale, but they are vital lifelines for the region’s lakes, wetlands, and wildlife. These freshwater corridors support exceptional biodiversity, providing spawning grounds for endemic fish, pathways for large mammals, and nesting areas for rare birds. They also link the health of nature to the well-being of local communities.

Yet these habitats face multiple threats: water abstraction, land-use pressure, wildfires, pollution, habitat degradation, and climate change. Often seen as little more than flood conduits or marginal grazing zones, riparian habitats have long been overlooked.

To address this, the Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP), with support from DIMFE and co-funding from PONT, launched the Prespa’s Green & Blue LifeLines project (2022-2025), aiming to protect and restore freshwater ecosystems while supporting more inclusive and informed management.

Project highlights:

Mapping & scientific assessments:

Field research documented the ecological status of the Agios Germanos River, five smaller streams, and riparian forests. Studies covered hydrology, fish habitats, breeding birds, mammals, riparian forests, pollution, water use, and climate risks, creating a strong knowledge base for future action.

Reducing pressures & restoring habitat:

Over 500 native alder trees were planted to stabilise riverbanks. Managed grazing created and maintained firebreaks. Stream mouths were cleared where needed to support fish movement. Regular patrols helped address illegal logging, dumping, and water extraction. Pollution risks were reduced through improvements to the disposal systems of agrochemical containers, in collaboration with the Municipality of Prespa.

Community engagement & education:

Environmental education, interpretive signs, clean-up events, exhibitions, and awareness campaigns brought residents, schools, and visitors closer to the value of riparian zones.

Stakeholder dialogue & collaboration:

The 1st Annual Meeting for Water & Wetlands of Prespa in 2024 launched a permanent stakeholder forum for joint water governance. Coordinated by the Municipality of Prespa, it brought together local, regional, and national authorities, scientific institutions, and community groups.

A lasting impact

Prespa’s Green & Blue LifeLines leaves a stronger knowledge, community support, and collaboration for freshwater conservation. It shifted perceptions of riparian zones, from overlooked margins to vital natural assets, building a momentum for long-term, collaborative water and habitat management.