Valea Saulei becomes Bucharest’s third protected natural area

A wetland with diverse wildlife

Valea Saulei contains a variety of habitats, including open water, wooded areas, reed beds and grassland. According to APNB, the site is home to more than 350 wild species, of which 12 are protected. Wildlife recorded in the area includes otters, European pond turtles, kingfishers, grey herons, little egrets and lizards. More than 80 bird species have also been reported at the site.

Recent monitoring by APNB identified the marbled white butterfly, bringing the number of daytime butterfly species recorded in the area to 21. The species is sensitive to pollution, chemical fertilisers and pesticides. According to the association, its presence is an indicator of the condition of the site’s grassland habitat.

The area is considered an important remaining wetland in north-eastern Bucharest. Its protected status is intended to safeguard these habitats and their biodiversity against further degradation and development pressures. The decision also recognises the presence of urban wildlife and the need to account for natural areas in the city’s development.

Conservation and public access

The designation provides a framework for cleaning, managing and conserving the site, as well as improving safety and access for visitors. Planned measures are intended to make the area more accessible for recreation, environmental information and wildlife observation, while maintaining its natural features.

The plans are also intended to be integrated into the winning proposal of an international design competition for the development of the chain of lakes along the Colentina River in Sector 2. This creates a link between the protection of the site and wider plans for the area surrounding the river and its lakes.

Valea Saulei can already be accessed from 116 Gherghiței Street. Visitors are required to follow rules designed to protect the area. These include prohibitions on littering, open fires, feeding birds and other wildlife, abandoning exotic animals, cutting vegetation and clearing trees.

The initiative is being implemented in partnership with Sector 2 City Hall, which is responsible for administrative matters and the management of green space and waste in the area. APNB contributes to nature protection, conservation work, visitor management and public information.

Part of a wider urban nature programme

Valea Saulei is part of Rewilding Bucharest, a multi-year programme launched by APNB in 2024. The programme aims to establish protection for five urban natural areas covering more than 1,500 hectares in total: Petricani Meadow, Valea Saulei, Băneasa Forest, the Dâmbovița floodplain and the Dobroești–Pantelimon reed beds.

The programme seeks to safeguard areas with natural value and ecosystem services for the city’s population. Its implementation involves cooperation between environmental organisations and public authorities, with the aim of incorporating natural areas into the city’s planning and management.

The designation of Valea Saulei adds another site to Bucharest’s network of protected natural areas. It also highlights the importance of retaining wetlands, grasslands and wooded habitats within the urban environment, particularly in neighbourhoods where green space is scarce.
 

Further information

Read more about Valea Saulei and the Rewilding Bucharest programme on the Bucharest Natural Park Association’s website.

More information

For more information, you can reach out to the Netherlands Agricultural Network in Romania via: bkr-lvvn@minbuza.nl