Romania’s Ultima Frontiera restores wetlands and remembrance
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In Romania, Rewilding Europe secured long-term management of Ultima Frontiera, an 800-hectare site in the Danube Delta, to restore wetlands degraded by past fish farming.
The area, near the Black Sea, once held a fish farm built by forced laborers during Romania’s communist regime. Rewilding Romania is collaborating with historical institutions to preserve the memory of this period alongside the ecological restoration.
The team plans to restore natural water flow by reconnecting ponds and removing barriers, with a hydrological study scheduled for completion in 2026. They envision a semi-natural wetland supporting diverse wildlife, including white-tailed eagles, Dalmatian pelicans, and free-roaming horses. Local cattle and horses already graze on the land, helping to restore natural processes. Ultima Frontiera is also developing into an ecotourism destination, with existing wildlife photography hides and plans for kayaking, hiking, and educational programs.
This growing tourism aims to provide jobs and support local businesses, creating a regenerative economy for communities near the delta. The project hopes to serve as a model for wetland restoration across Europe, as the continent has lost half of its wetlands in the last 300 years.
