Tara, 4 September 2026 – H.E. Charlotte Sammelin, Ambassador of Sweden to Serbia, visited the Crveni Potok site in Tara National Park, together with Dragić Karaklić, Director of Tara National Park, and representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). During the visit, they were presented with the results of measures implemented to restore and conserve 10 hectares of wetland habitats.

Activities at one of Serbia’s most significant wetlands and one of Europe’s southernmost refugial habitats for boreal species were implemented with the support of Sweden, within the “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia” initiative. They included the installation of innovative systems for collecting moisture from the air, known as “fog catchers”, the reintroduction of Sphagnum peat mosses to restore biodiversity, and the establishment of a modern monitoring system to track the condition of wetland habitats and the impacts of climate change on this unique ecosystem.

“The experience gained at Crveni Potok can also be valuable for other protected areas in Serbia, as it demonstrates how innovative solutions can help restore and protect valuable ecosystems. By supporting biodiversity conservation and wetland restoration on Tara, as well as in other protected areas across Serbia, Sweden is helping to strengthen their resilience to climate change,” said H.E. Charlotte Sammelin, Ambassador of Sweden to Serbia.

Earlier this year, Tara National Park received the Green Innovation Leaders 2026 award for its innovative solution aimed at protecting the sensitive ecosystems of endangered peatland habitats. These habitats support numerous rare species, including the endemic Serbian spruce (Pančićeva omorika), but in recent years they have been affected by degradation caused by water scarcity, the spread of invasive species and changes in the water regime. 

The installation of ‘fog catchers’ has created more favourable conditions for moisture retention, contributing to habitat restoration and the recovery of Sphagnum peat mosses, which are essential to the functioning of this ecosystem. By improving water conditions, removing invasive species and strengthening the monitoring system, the initiative contributes to the long-term protection of endangered species and the sustainable management of this valuable natural area.

Peatlands play an important role in conserving biodiversity, retaining water and storing carbon, which makes them an important natural ally in addressing climate change. Their protection and restoration help preserve ecosystem services on which both nature and people depend.

The “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia” project is implemented with the technical and financial support of the European Union and in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection by UNDP, in cooperation with Sweden and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with additional funding provided by the governments of Sweden, Switzerland and Serbia.