Why we do this
How our approach works
Theory of Change
We take a long-term, hands-on approach to caring for key sites in the landscape. Over time, these sites become connected, enabling biodiversity to return not only within them but also across the surrounding area.
Our goal is to change how society understands and practises nature conservation. We want active landscape stewardship—such as conservation grazing, mosaic mowing, or restoring small wetland pools—to become a standard part of spatial planning and public policy.
We start from the premise that landscapes—and society—change primarily from the bottom up: through people who care for places over the long term. Today’s cultural landscape is highly fragmented, which is why we create “biodiversity islands”: model sites managed consistently and to a high standard.
These sites act as stabilising hubs and stepping stones. They allow threatened species to survive and gradually spread into the wider landscape once conditions improve beyond the site boundaries—thanks to sustained management and cooperation with local stakeholders.
We work with a proven, transferable model of long-term active management for key sites. It demonstrably stabilises or strengthens threatened species populations, showing that modern, practical landscape management can be a sustainable pathway to restoring biodiversity in Central Europe.
Our vision
Where we are heading
We want a landscape that works well—one that supports people and nature alike.
We strive for a world where caring for nature is a practical part of everyday decisions—at home, at work, and across all sectors.
We are guided by a simple fact: a healthy environment is not a luxury; it is a basic condition for a good quality of life for each of us.
Our purpose
Why we exist and who we serve
We connect people with places that need care.
In practice, we restore valuable sites and support threatened species. At the same time, we explain clearly and accessibly why specific interventions make sense and what they achieve.
We work to create places in the landscape from which biodiversity can recover—even in areas where it is missing today.
We look for solutions that remain viable over the long term, under today’s conditions and those still to come.
Our work is grounded in scientific evidence, local knowledge, and collaboration with the people who work in the landscape. This is how we build partnerships that deliver tangible results.
Our mission
What we do
In the field and with decision-makers, we work to ensure the landscape makes sense for both people and nature.
• We care for high-value sites—through grazing, mowing, selective scrub clearance, and habitat restoration—so places do not quickly lose the qualities that make them valuable.
• We support the return of threatened plant and animal species to our countryside.
• We explain complex topics clearly and factually, so everyone understands why specific actions are taken and what practical outcomes they deliver.
• We work with municipalities and local communities on simple, feasible measures for landscape stewardship.
• We organise field trips, educational and volunteer events, and create opportunities for people to get involved in ways that match their time and abilities.
• We help shift the perception of conservation from an obstacle to a tool for public benefit and damage prevention—for municipalities, farmers, landowners, and local residents.
• We connect NGOs, experts, companies, and institutions across regions and countries.
• We take part in professional and policy debates: we engage with public authorities, comment on laws and strategies, and bring forward practice-based proposals with real-world impact—without placing unrealistic demands on people.
JARO is a network of associations from Central Europe working hands-on in the field. We’ve been protecting nature across Europe and beyond since 1989.
35+
years of experience
5000+
acres in custody
Donate to nature
Support our crew, which works towards the world
where humans and nature can both thrive. You can donate via this form, or by a bank transfer to our public collection account: 2801040757/2010
BIC/SWIFT: FIOBCZPPXXX
IBAN: CZ2220100000002801040757
payment reference number = variable symbol: 999
Thank you!