News
We participated in the 8th European Congress on Conservation Biology (ECCB)
At the beginning of July, the LIFE for BUGS and BIRDS project team also participated in the 8th European Congress of Conservation Biology (ECCB), where we presented the project’s results and experiences to date in the form of a poster. The congress is one of Europe’s leading professional events in the fields of nature conservation […]
In Search of Dung Beetles at the Horhos Valley Eco-Farm
As part of the LIFE for BUGS and BIRDS project, our team conducted a dung beetle survey at the Horhos-Völgyi Estate. During the fieldwork, we searched for characteristic species of hilly and mountainous pastures while collecting valuable data on pasture ecosystems and the impacts of nature-friendly farming. Simultaneously, we learned about agricultural practices operating in […]
As part of a professional collaboration, we conducted a dung beetle survey on the grazing lands of the DEDES – Private Agroecology Project in Lendvadedes, Hungary.
This joint effort not only yielded valuable data on the insect fauna of the area but also provided us with an excellent opportunity to deepen our understanding of the potential and practical applications of regenerative agriculture. It was truly inspiring to learn about the principles of regenerative farming and the management practices aimed at improving […]
We participated in the 30th National Cattleherders’ Competition and Shepherds’ Gathering
This year, the 30th National Cattleherders’ Competition and Shepherds’ Gathering was held at the Pusztai Állatpark in Hortobágy. The jubilee event aims to showcase and pass on the traditions that are still alive among the herders of Hungarian Grey cattle kept under extensive, free-range conditions, as well as the practical skills of traditional pastoralism. Cattle herders […]
Where Tradition Meets Nature Conservation in Hortobágy – Our Participation in the 8th Hungarian Wool Festival
Hortobágy hosted the 8th Hungarian Wool Festival, which once again offered a diverse programme for those interested in traditional pastoral culture, wool processing, and sustainable livestock farming. The event aims to bring visitors closer to the traditions surrounding sheep farming and the journey of wool from sheep to finished product, while also providing a platform […]
When the Puszta Comes Alive Again – We Visited Traditional Livestock Turnout Festivals
“On St. George’s Day, when the livestock is driven out, anyone can be a herdsman; but on St. Michael’s Day, when they are brought back in, only those who can account for them remain herdsmen” – as the old folk wisdom says. In the recent period, we participated in two events of outstanding professional and […]
From St. George’s Day to the Pastures: Tradition and Nature Conservation in Grazing Management
For generations, 24 April – St. George’s Day – marked one of the most important days of the year. Among livestock-keeping communities, the weather and pasture conditions determined the exact timing, but traditionally this was the day when animals were first turned out from their winter quarters to pasture. It has also marked the hiring […]
Insect-friendly grazing from a close perspective – “White patches” and “green solutions” in Miklapuszta
Experts from the Grassland Life IP project, a professional project team being active in the fields of grassland manegament and conservation, visited us. The participants became acquainted with the conservation management practices implemented in Miklapuszta during in thorough field visit.The following report summarizes their experiences and impressions. We would like to take this opportunity to […]
We participated in the Soil – Climate – Health Sector Professional Day
Close to 200 experts participated in the Soil – Climate – Health Sectoral Professional Day conference on ecological farming, organised by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture at the Kázmér Albert Faculty of Széchenyi University in Mosonmagyaróvár, western Hungary. In addition to researchers from the university, invited speakers reported on current topics in ecological farming […]
ANImashEXPO – professional meetings and valuable discussions
In January participated in a series of thematic conferences organized by the Hungarian Association for Precision Animal Husbandry at ANImashEXPO. In our presentation, we introduced our project and insect-friendly grazing methods, then answered questions from interested parties in a roundtable discussion. The small ruminant section was followed by numerous farmers, and we were delighted that […]
We wish you Happy Holidays!
As the year comes to a close, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the project’s goals through their professional work, collaboration, and support. In 2025, we achieved numerous important results in restoring habitats crucial for insect and bird species, as well as promoting insect-friendly grazing practices. The winter […]
We didn’t idle during the fall semester either!
Over the past two months, we attended five events to promote the project and insect-friendly grazing methods among farmers. In September, we participated in the ÖKO Expo Exhibition organized by the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture in Debrecen, the 29th National Herders’ Competition, Shepherds’ Meeting and Shepherd’s Dance Competition in Hortobágy, and the National Agricultural and […]
Our project’s Fourth Annual Meeting was successfully completed!
At the end of October, we held our open Advisory Board meeting and the Steering Committee meeting, along with the related field activities. Together with our partners, we reviewed the results achieved so far, discussed the areas that require further development, and coordinated the tasks planned for the upcoming period. We thank everyone in attendance […]
The Eurasian Stone-curlew in the grassland
The Eurasian Stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) used to be a typical bird of the Hungarian steppes, but its population has collapsed recently. In the 1990s, there were 20-30 pairs breeding in Miklapuszta, but today they have disappeared from the area and have not yet returned despite livestock grazing and other habitat management actions in the project. […]
Hungarian Sea Lavender blooms in Mikla-puszta
Hungarian Sea Lavender (Limonium gmelinii ssp. hungarica) might be a heraldic plant of Hungarian salt marshes, one of the most characteristic perennial flowering plants of the plains east of the Tisza, capable of turning the entire steppe purple in late summer. It is a native plant of steppes and alkali grasslands located at the Carpathian […]