“By learning about river wildlife, my students are better prepared to take care of our planet for current and future generations.”

Julie Himmelbauer

The sturgeon has populated our rivers for over 200 million years, but today 5 out of the 6 species native to the Danube are critically endangered. To preserve the species, the EU is bringing together researchers, local officials, NGOs and teachers from Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

Dwindling sturgeon sightings in the Danube are a wake-up call. There is an immediate need to protect Europe’s biodiversity while safeguarding the livelihoods of local fishing communities. And it’s not only sturgeons that are at risk – many more species that play a key role in our ecosystems need to be protected urgently.