In 1991, as Albania emerged from decades of isolation, a small group of scientists and activists founded the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA). Officially established on 5 June 1991 under a decree from the Albanian Academy of Sciences, PPNEA became the country’s first environmental organisation—a bold move in a nation where nature conservation was barely acknowledged.
The organisation’s early years were marked by grassroots activism. PPNEA organised environmental radio shows, documentaries, and roadshows across Albania, raising awareness in a society where ecological issues were often overlooked. By the late 1990s, its efforts had helped establish Prespa National Park (1999) and Shebenik-Jabllanica National Park (2008), two of Albania’s most biodiverse protected areas. In 2011, after years of advocacy, PPNEA contributed to the creation of Korab-Koritnik Nature Park, further securing Albania’s natural heritage.
One of PPNEA’s most significant achievements is the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme, launched in 2006. The Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus) is one of the world’s most endangered big cats, with fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the wild. Through scientific monitoring, habitat restoration, and community engagement, PPNEA has made Albania a global model for endangered species conservation. The programme’s methodologies are now studied internationally.
Beyond wildlife, PPNEA has played a crucial role in protecting Albania’s wetlands and coastal zones—critical habitats for migratory birds like the Dalmatian pelican and the Egyptian vulture. The organisation also works across borders, collaborating with neighbouring countries to safeguard transboundary ecosystems, including those shared with Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece.
Today, PPNEA remains a leader in Albania’s environmental movement, blending scientific research with community-driven conservation. Its legacy is a testament to how a determined few can reshape a nation’s relationship with nature—one protected park, one endangered species, and one educated citizen at a time.