About Us

Our History

EcoNatura was founded in 2010 by a small group of passionate ecologists, biologists, and environmental activists who shared a deep concern for Romania's rapidly changing natural landscapes. Dr. Elena Popescu, a renowned botanist, along with marine biologist Andrei Ionescu and environmental engineer Mihai Dragomir, initially operated from a small office in Constanța, focusing on documenting biodiversity along Romania's Black Sea coast.

In our early years, we conducted critical baseline studies of coastal ecosystems that later became the foundation for several marine protected areas. By 2015, our scope had expanded to include the Carpathian Mountains and Danube Delta, as we recognized the interconnectedness of Romania's diverse ecosystems.

A pivotal moment came in 2018 when we successfully advocated for the protection of the Văcărești Natural Park, transforming an abandoned reservoir into Bucharest's first urban nature reserve. This project demonstrated how ecological restoration and community engagement could go hand in hand, establishing our reputation as innovative problem-solvers in environmental conservation.

Today, EcoNatura has grown into Romania's leading ecological conservation organization, with 45 full-time staff, over 500 regular volunteers, and successful projects across every region of the country. Our headquarters on Strada Independenței in Constanța serves as both an administrative center and an environmental education hub, welcoming thousands of visitors annually.

Our Mission & Values

Our Mission

EcoNatura is dedicated to preserving Romania's natural heritage through sustainable conservation practices, scientific research, and community engagement. We aim to protect biodiversity, restore damaged ecosystems, and promote harmonious relationships between humans and nature.

Our Vision for 2026

By 2026, we envision Romania as Eastern Europe's leader in ecological restoration, with thriving biodiversity, resilient ecosystems, and communities that value and protect their natural environment. We're working toward a future where economic development and environmental conservation are not opposing forces but complementary aspects of a sustainable society.

Our Core Values

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Scientific Integrity

We base our conservation strategies on rigorous research and evidence, constantly adapting our approaches as new knowledge emerges.
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Collaborative Action

We believe that lasting conservation requires partnership between scientists, communities, governments, and businesses.
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Respect for Nature

We recognize the intrinsic value of all living beings and work to protect Romania's natural systems in all their complexity.
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Innovation

We embrace creative solutions that address both ecological and social needs, pioneering new approaches to conservation challenges.

Meet Our Team

Our dedicated professionals bring diverse expertise to Romania's environmental challenges. From scientific research to community engagement, our team works collaboratively to create lasting positive impact.

Dr. Elena Popescu

Executive Director

With a Ph.D. in Botanical Sciences from the University of Bucharest, Elena has dedicated over 20 years to plant conservation in Eastern Europe. Her groundbreaking research on Carpathian alpine ecosystems has influenced protected area management throughout Romania. Elena's leadership combines scientific rigor with strategic vision, guiding EcoNatura's growth since 2015.

Andrei Ionescu

Scientific Director

Andrei brings extensive expertise in marine ecology to EcoNatura. After completing his studies at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, he returned to Romania to lead Black Sea conservation initiatives. His innovative monitoring protocols have revealed crucial data about pollution impacts and climate change effects on coastal ecosystems. Andrei oversees all research programs and ensures our conservation strategies are backed by rigorous science.

Cristina Dumitrescu

Community Engagement Manager

With a background in social anthropology and environmental education, Cristina specializes in building bridges between conservation science and local communities. She has developed EcoNatura's acclaimed participatory conservation model, ensuring that traditional ecological knowledge is valued alongside scientific research. Cristina's team has established successful partnerships with over 75 rural communities throughout Romania.

Mihai Dragomir

Conservation Programs Director

An environmental engineer with expertise in ecosystem restoration, Mihai oversees EcoNatura's on-the-ground conservation initiatives. His innovative approaches to wetland rehabilitation have been adopted throughout the Danube basin. Prior to joining EcoNatura, Mihai worked with the European Environment Agency, bringing valuable international perspective to our projects. He specializes in designing conservation programs that deliver both ecological and social benefits.

Our Achievements

Since our founding, EcoNatura has made significant progress in protecting and restoring Romania's diverse ecosystems. Here are some of our key accomplishments:

30,000 Hectares

Of critical habitat protected through our conservation initiatives, including forests, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems.

850,000 Trees

Planted through our reforestation programs, focusing on native species that support local biodiversity.

12 Endangered Species

Recovery programs successfully implemented, including the European mink and Eastern imperial eagle.

75,000 Students

Engaged through our environmental education programs in schools across Romania.

120 Tons

Of plastic waste removed from Romania's rivers and coastlines through our clean-up initiatives.

35 Scientific Studies

Published in peer-reviewed journals, contributing valuable knowledge to conservation science.

What Others Say

"EcoNatura has transformed how we approach environmental research in Romania. Their collaborative model, combining scientific rigor with community engagement, has created a new paradigm for conservation work in Eastern Europe. As an academic partner, I've witnessed firsthand how their projects bridge the gap between theory and practice, training the next generation of environmental scientists with real-world experience."

Dr. Mircea Vasile

Professor of Environmental Sciences, University of Bucharest

"Working with EcoNatura has been transformative for our community in the Danube Delta. Their wetland restoration project not only improved water quality and biodiversity but also created sustainable ecotourism opportunities for local residents. What sets them apart is their genuine commitment to involving community members in every stage of the process. They don't just implement projects; they build capacity and leave lasting knowledge."

Maria Enescu

Mayor of Tulcea, Danube Delta Region

"EcoNatura represents the gold standard for environmental NGOs in the European context. Their data-driven approach, coupled with innovative conservation techniques, has produced measurable results that inform policy at both national and EU levels. Their work documenting climate change impacts in the Carpathian region has been particularly valuable in developing adaptation strategies. We regularly cite their projects as best practice examples."

Stefan Antonescu

Regional Coordinator, European Environment Agency

Our Work in Action

Wetland restoration in the Danube Delta

Old-growth forest protection in the Carpathians

Environmental education with local schools

Black Sea coastal cleanup initiative

Wildlife monitoring and research

Community-based conservation planning

Join Our Mission

Whether you're interested in volunteering, supporting our work financially, or partnering on conservation initiatives, we'd love to hear from you. Together, we can build a sustainable future for Romania's natural heritage.