Links
Related programmes:
LIFE IP GRASSLAND-HU
Nationwide programme dealing with the protection of grasslands and associated species, which is partly implemented with EU funding.
https://www.grasslandlifeip.hu/
LIFE SYSEL’
LIFE SYSEL’ – Partly funded by the European Union, the programme is designed to preserve the European ground squirrel population located at the Northern boundary of their proliferation.
https://broz.sk/en/projekty/conservation-of-european-ground-squirrel/
Vadonleső Program
One of the first citizen science programmes involving volunteers in collecting distribution data on selected animal and plant species. The programme is operated by the current ministry responsible for nature conservation (currently the Ministry of Agriculture) and the Herman Ottó Intézet Nonprofit Kft, with the involvement of the Hungarian Natural History Museum and the Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden, and with the assistance of the Wildlife Watch Community Nature Conservation Association (VKTE). Within the scope of the programme, observed European ground squirrel colonies may also be reported easily and quickly by anyone.
Domestic national parks - Directorates:
Aggtelek National Park Directorate
Balaton Uplands National Directorate
Duna-Dráva National Park Directorate
Duna-Ipoly National Park Directorate
Körös-Maros National Park Directorate
Őrség National Park Directorate
Domestic nature conservation organisations:
Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society, Mammal Special Section
The Special Sewction is responsible for NGO activities within MME, the largest domestic nature conservation NGO.
https://mme.hu/emlosvedelmi-szakosztaly
Wildlife Watch Community Nature Conservation Association (VKTE)
A nature conservation NGO supporting the operation of the Vadonleső (Wildlife Watch) Program. In addition to this role, it primarily deals with mammal-related conservation topics (such as European ground squirrel surveys and mole rat conservation), but also participates in the implementation of the Wildflower of the Year campaign, contributes professional expertise to the establishment of nature trails, and carries out various other awareness-raising activities.
European Ground Squirrel Register
An action campaign series aimed at monitoring the European ground squirrel population, initiated by the Wildlife Watch Community Nature Conservation Association (VKTE) and later also supported by CitellusLIFE, within the scope of which anyone may contribute to the annual European ground squirrel counting campaign linked to Earth Day (22 April), thereby supporting the monitoring of changes in the Hungary’s European ground squirrel population.
Foreign professional organisations:
SMCC, Small Mammal Conservation Conference 2026
https://smcc.habitatfoundation.org/
Mossy Earth
Our team is passionately committed to nature and to its conservation. Our main mission is to restore wild ecosystems, support wildlife and biodiversity, and contribute to the fight against climate change.
https://www.mossy.earth/projects/translocating-european-ground-squirrels
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/20472/221789466
Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic
https://www.zachranneprogramy.cz/en/european-ground-squirrel/