Last updated: October 2024
"Urban Natural Area Ciric" is an initiative aimed at designating the forest and lakes of the Ciric area, located on the outskirts of the city of Iași, as an Urban Natural Area. To achieve this goal, the initiating organizations—NGO Civica and the Ornithological Association of Iași (SOR)—have developed a comprehensive report focused on the Ciric natural area, which monitors species and habitats while identifying pressure points on biodiversity and necessary conservation actions, as well as the benefits these areas provide. In the Ciric area, various flora and fauna species have been identified, with some holding high protection status (14 bird species) or being of community importance and conservation interest. However, this ecological richness faces threats, as factors such as rapid urbanization, water pollution, and waste disposal have been identified as significant risks to the ecosystems. In response to these challenges, the NGO aims to collaborate with the municipality to create protective municipal laws that will not only recognize the area as an Urban Natural Area but also ensure its inclusion in development plans. This partnership seeks to establish regulatory measures and strategies that will safeguard and enhance the biodiversity and ecosystems of Ciric. Additionally, the organizations have highlighted the social and physical benefits of the area for residents, including flood regulation and prevention, pest control, provision of clean air, and recreational and scientific opportunities. To further raise support and awareness for their efforts, SOR and Civica conduct guided tours, educational workshops, and photographic exhibitions. They have also set up two informational panels in the area that highlight the biodiversity of Ciric. Furthermore, the two NGOs have partnered with regional organizations to create the "Rețeaua națională de arii naturale urbane" (The National Network of Urban Natural Areas) and have received funding from the EEA Grants. (1-8)
Scenic view of the Ciric lake
https://asociatiacivica.ro/noutati/padurea-si-lacurile-ciric-pot-deveni-o-arie-naturala-urbana/#&gid=1&pid=1
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
- Parks and urban forests
- Large urban parks or forests
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Environmental quality
- Air quality improvement
- Soil quality improvement
- Waste management
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Flood protection
- Improvements to water quality
- Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
- Preservation of natural heritage
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Effective management
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Environmental Degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Invasive alien species
- Soil degradation and loss
- Poor water quality
- Land use and Socio-economic change
- Rapid urbanization
- Unequal availability and access to public green spaces
- Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
- Inadequate access to recreational opportunities
- Disconnection from nature
- Social fragmentation and isolation
- Poor community engagement
- Other
Key priorities
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Creation of green corridors (including connectivity between urban and rural ecosystems), Maintenance and management of urban nature, Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks), Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Ecological restoration of existing green spaces, Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems), Protection of natural ecosystems, Habitat conservation, Creating nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, or biodiversity hotspots to conserve unique ecosystems, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Clearing out invasive alien species and allow natural regeneration maintaining the functionality the ecosystem, Habitat mapping, restoration and monitoring-focused management, Citizen science and monitoring initiatives (e.g. species observations, habitat assessments, and data collection efforts), Species-specific monitoring and conservation programs
Project objectives
To designate the Ciric area as an Urban Natural Area through local laws and regulations.
To protect the green area by preserving and improving its biodiversity and ecosystems (including pollination), thereby enhancing its role as a green corridor.
To maintain the flood protection, air regulation, micro-climate stability (low temperatures), and soil quality properties of the area through protective measures.
To establish measures to prevent water pollution and waste disposal in the area.
To manage potential invasive species effectively.
To involve citizens by fostering educational programs, promoting citizen science ( Citizen Science monitoring and conservation activities), and creating environmental consciousness related to the Ciric Natural Area.
To enhance the scientific potential of the area.
To increase the recreational role of the area while ensuring the protection of its biodiversity.
To secure a high quality of life for the citizens. (1-8)
Implementation activities
The initiative includes the installation of two informative panels that focus on the bird species and biodiversity of the Ciric natural area (forest and lake). Additionally, a comprehensive report has been developed, identifying the habitats and species present in the Ciric area, as well as pinpointing pressure points affecting biodiversity. This report highlights relevant species of community and European interest, detailing their necessary habitats (protection of 179 plant species vascular plants identified, 25 are characteristic of forest vegetation; 44 species of insect species; 97 species of birds; several species of amphibians and reptiles). It serves as a foundation for management suggestions, objectives, and priorities that can inform institutional plans aimed at adequately protecting and managing the area's species and their habitats.
Furthermore, a thematic path will be created within the natural area to raise awareness and educate visitors about the biodiversity of Ciric. To enhance community engagement and foster environmental consciousness, several cultural and outdoor activities will be organized, including photographic exhibitions that celebrate the natural elements of Ciric. Finally, meetings with local decision-makers will be held to present the findings of the study and advocate for the implementation of protective laws and regulations for the area. (1-8)
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
- Promote environmentally-sound development in and around protected areas
- Create new habitats
- Preserve and strengthen habitat connectivity
- Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
- Protect species
- Control and clean invasive alien species
- Means for conservation governance
- Raise public awareness
- Public engagement
- Create and use scientific knowledge for conservation
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Non-government organisation/civil society
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Taskforce groups
- Dissemination of information and education
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The initiative was started by the NGO Civica and the Ornithological Association of Iasi (SOR), which partnered with similar organizations to create The National Network of Urban Natural Areas (1 & 2 & 4 to 6). The two organizations carried out educational activities related to the natural area and implemented two informative pannels in the area about the existing biodiversity (4 & 7 & 8). The NGOs developed a report that monitored the habitats and species of Ciric and advised actions for appropriate management and adequate regulations (1 & 2). Civica and SOR carried out meetings with relevant stakeholders and the municipality to push for local protection laws and management plans (1). The municipality supported the initiative by approving the informative pannels (4 & 7). The photographic club of Iasi prepared an exposition to support raising awareness for the initiative (8). The report was financed by Active Citizens Fund from the Liechstein, Norway and Iceland partnership (6).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Yes
(The project mentions ”Rețeaua națională a ariilor naturale urbane – Natura la ușa ta” (6) // Conservarea Naturii prin Ghidul pentru arii protejate urbane (2014) (2, p. 1) - IUCN guide)
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(The project mentions Ordinul ministrului mediului nr. 304/02.04.2018 privind aprobarea Ghidului de elaborare a Planurilor de
management ale ariilor naturale protejate (2, p. 43). Order of the Minister of the Environment no. 304/02.04.2018 regarding the approval of the Guide for the development of the Plans
management of protected natural areas (part of the Romanian National Biodiversity Plan))
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation, City network or regional partnerships focused on climate change, sustainability, GI or NBS in the city, Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)
Financing
Total cost
€100,000 - €500,000
Source(s) of funding
- Multilateral funds/international funding
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of land
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Expected lowered local temperature
- Strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters
- Expected strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters
- Environmental quality
- Improved air quality
- Expected improved air quality
- Improved waste management
- Expected improved waste management
- Improved soil quality
- Expected improved soil quality
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Expected improved water quality
- Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Expected enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Increased number of protection areas
- Expected increased number of protection areas
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales
- Expected increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Expected reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased protection of threatened species
- Expected increased protection of threatened species
- Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
- Expected improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
- Enhanced support of pollination
- Expected enhanced support of pollination
Economic impacts
- Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
- Achieved generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
- More sustainable tourism
- Expected more sustainable tourism
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved liveability
- Expected improved liveability
- Improved access to urban green space
- Expected improved access to urban green space
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Protection of natural heritage
- Expected protection of natural heritage
- Increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
- Expected increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Expected increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
Dinga, A. & Fasolă-Mătăsaru, L. (n.d.). Pădurea și lacurile Ciric pot deveni o Arie Naturală Urbană . CIVICA, Accessed on September 20, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Societatea Ornitologică Română (2023). Studiu in vederea desemnarii ariei naturale urbane Ciric. Accessed on September 20, 2024, [Source link];
3.
Ziarul de Iasi (2023). Dezbatere - Pădurea și lacurile de la Ciric să devină Arie Naturală Urbană. Accessed on September 20, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Civica (2023). CIVICA - 🐾 Azi s-a mai făcut un pas concret pentru ca pădurea și lacurile Ciric să devină o arie naturală urbană. Facebook , Accessed on September 22, 2024, [Source link];
5.
Radio Romania Iasi (2024). La Iași, demersuri pentru înființarea Ariei Naturale Urbane Ciric”. Sorana Lupu, Asociația ”Civica_ zona Ciric înseamnă aer curat, verdeață, înseamnă adăpost pentru niște animale; este o zonă în care poți să te relaxezi, să te conectezi cu natura.. Accessed on September 22, 2024, [Source link];
6.
Asociația Parcul Natural Văcărești (n.d.). Natura Urbana_Despre Proiect. Accessed on September 22, 2024, [Source link];
7.
Antal, C. (2023). Societatea Ornitologică Română_ ”Pădurea și Lacurile Ciric din Iași pot deveni arii naționale urbane” . Stirea Verde , Accessed on September 22, 2024, [Source link];
8.
Neculau, C. (2024). Expoziție „Natura de lângă tine. Aria Naturală Urbană Ciric prin obiectivul foto”. Clubul Fotografilor Iasi , Accessed on September 22, 2024, [Source link];
9.
Andrei, A. (2017 ). Limitele cartierului Moara de Vânt_ Podul de Fier, Aroneanu, Veneția (III) ». APIX, Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link];
10.
STORIA (n.d.). STORIA Trai Moara de Vant. Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link];
11.
Inter Imobiliare (2020). Presentare Cartier Tatarasi . Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link];
12.
STORIA (n.d.). STORIA Trai Tatarasi Sud. Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link];
13.
Comuna Aroneanu (2015). Strategia de dezvoltare locală a comunei Aroneanu [2015-2020]. p. 59 to 63 Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link];
Turtle in the Ciric Area
https://asociatiacivica.ro/noutati/padurea-si-lacurile-ciric-pot-deveni-o-arie-naturala-urbana/#&gid=1&pid=1
Bird of Kingfisher species in the area
https://asociatiacivica.ro/noutati/padurea-si-lacurile-ciric-pot-deveni-o-arie-naturala-urbana/
Ciric lake and forest
https://asociatiacivica.ro/noutati/padurea-si-lacurile-ciric-pot-deveni-o-arie-naturala-urbana/
Ciric lake and forest
https://asociatiacivica.ro/noutati/padurea-si-lacurile-ciric-pot-deveni-o-arie-naturala-urbana/
Ciric lake and forest
https://asociatiacivica.ro/noutati/padurea-si-lacurile-ciric-pot-deveni-o-arie-naturala-urbana/
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.