In order to produce saplings from autochthonous seed sources for our replanting efforts, we have created several tree nurseries throughout the project area. Some are small under the canopy of old trees, other nurseries are bigger, but we operate all without chemical substances, weed manually using local labour, and have designed them in an organic and natural way.

Prior to replanting clear-cuts, we surveyed the forest properties to learn about existing regeneration and to understand the original tree species composition of the slopes. In this way, the restoration measures could be best targeted towards the original state. The lack of species with importance for biodiversity such as common ash, wych elm, sycamore, rowan, or European yew has led to a degradation of the ecological quality of the forests, and current development with land restitution gives little hope for improvement. To allow a re-growth of the original forest ecosystem, we raised the missing species in our own nurseries and re-planted the clear-cuts also with commercially worthless, but ecologically highly valuable tree saplings. So far, Foundation Conservation Carpathia has planted almost 2 million saplings and restored more than 600 hectares of clear-cut for the benefit of hundreds of other species that will thrive and prosper in these forests.

Many forests have been subject to forest management within the past 100 years and thousands of hectares of mixed forests have been transformed into spruce-dominated cultures with low biodiversity. Foundation Conservation Carpathia also tries to re-wild these areas by carefully opening up small pockets in the spruce canopy and replanting with beech, elm, sycamore, fir, and rowan. Almost 400 hectares have so far undergone these restoration measures, including riparian areas, where spruce has partially replaced the extremely important alder galleries. The recovery of the alluvial forests will tremendously enhance the quality of the aquatic system for the benefit of a number of listed species such as European otter, hazel grouse, white-backed woodpecker, and grey-headed woodpecker, as well as numerous butterfly and dragonfly species.

Restoration activities have improved the quality of the forests, have created new living space for autochthonous species, and have contributed to a more balanced and healthy ecosystem. Repairing degraded habitats also had a positive impact on the public view upon nature: While for years, huge areas of forest have disappeared right in front of their eyes, leaving them with barren land, Foundation Conservation Carpathia has set out to repair the damage. Many members of the local communities joined in during the replanting sessions, which created a new sense of responsibility and pride for these forests.