Romania approves protected status for Bucharest's Petricani Meadow

July 31, 2025

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On July 30, the General Council of Bucharest approved a proposal to designate Petricani Meadow as a legally protected natural area, according to an announcement by the Bucharest Nature Park Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to urban conservation.

This new status lays the groundwork for creating a management plan aimed at conserving biodiversity and promoting responsible public access. The group previously led efforts to secure the protected designation for Văcărești Nature Park, and provided the technical documentation required for the Petricani Meadow proposal.

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Surveys of the area revealed a rich variety of wildlife, including 12 mammal species such as otters, hedgehogs, stone martens, moles, and dusky bats. Researchers additionally recorded 100 butterfly species—both nocturnal and diurnal—as well as 88 different plant species.

Out of all these, 49 are protected under national conservation laws.

“This is a milestone not just for biodiversity, but for the people of Bucharest,” said Dan Bărbulescu, director of the Bucharest Nature Park Association. “The council's decision shows that nature can be a core part of the city’s development vision. Protecting Petricani Meadow is more than preserving a green space—it’s an investment in both the environment and urban well-being.”

In addition to Petricani, the organization aims to secure protected status for Băneasa Forest, Valea Saulei, Lunca Dâmboviței, and the Dobroești reed beds. These green areas collectively cover more than 1,500 hectares, offering potential environmental and public health benefits such as cleaner air and greater climate resilience for the city’s residents.