The Prince of Wales walked in the hay meadows of Saschiz with his botanist, John Akeroyd, and Răzvan Popa of Fundatia ADEPT. They discussed the importance of the hay meadows, lost in most of Europe, the threat from overgrazing, and how best to work with farmers to protect the meadows and the communities.
On 4 June, his Royal Highness Prince of Wales visited Saschiz, on his way to Tirgu Mures Airport, where he left for England after a weekly visit to Romania.
Prince Charles walked on the hills of Saschiz with his botanist John Akeroyd and Razvan Popa of the ADEPT Transilvania Foundation. They discussed the importance of biodiversity in Romanian rural landscapes, largely lost in Europe, threatened by certain agricultural practices such as overpopulation, grassland, etc., and the best solutions to collaborate with small farmers and Romanian authorities , to implement new pilot schemes for compensatory payments in national agri-environment policies.
Protecting natural values in rural landscapes and supporting local communities is the ongoing focus of the ADEPT Foundation, looking for new ways to contribute to economic vitality by adding value to products and services in these areas.
Răzvan Popa explained to the Prince the unique project in Europe that the ADEPT Foundation is currently running, testing some compensation schemes for grassland protection, favoring farmers and better results for nature.
Prince Charles also visited the Saschiz fortress, which the locals hope to restore, this being part of the historical heritage of Romania, a UNESCO protected site and a potential great attraction for visitors to the area.
