Romanian parks and zoos launch summer volunteer and education programs

The Administration of Văcărești Natural Park in Bucharest organized a volunteer action on 13 August, inviting citizens to clean the park and remove ragweed (ambrozie) before the pollination period. Participants were provided with equipment and the effort aims to lower pollen levels for allergy sufferers. Park director Mircea Calnegru highlighted the growing community involvement in protecting one of Europe’s most valuable urban ecosystems.

Zoo Brașov marked International Zoo Day on 9 August with a programme of interactive games, quizzes, workshops and free solar‑observation sessions. Children and families received free entry, and staff presented the resident lionesses Nia and Zuri, discussing lion behaviour and conservation. The event also featured partners from the local planetarium, postal service and police, promoting biodiversity education and animal‑protection legislation.