Project Manager
When Jessica was in her upper school, it didn't look as though she would have a career in nature conservation. At that time, she was particularly keen on foreign languages. But a book about the climate crisis caught her imagination and so Jessica began studies in environmental sciences in Lüneburg and later continued with nature conservation and biodiversity management in Vienna. After completing her Master's degree, Jessica stayed in Vienna and worked for UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), focusing on human-wildlife conflicts in mountainous regions.
Jessica Bitsch joined the European Green Belt team at EuroNatur in 2023. “I simply enjoy networking, it comes naturally to me. I always look for what connects, not what divides, whether it's ecosystems or people,” says Jessica. The European Green Belt also allows her to satisfy her passion for foreign languages and other cultures.
Jessica primarily supports the BESTbelt project, funded by the European Union and promotes initiatives for the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development along the route of the former Iron Curtain. She is also responsible for everything to do with communications on the European Green Belt, writes newsletters on the subject and manages the initiative's website. In general, she contributes to making the European Green Belt more visible and accessible to the general public.
She herself says: “During my time in the Global South, I realised that nature conservation doesn't work without involving people. Along the European Green Belt, I also want to inspire the locals to adopt a sustainable lifestyle and show them that not only the ecosystems but also the people who live in them can benefit from nature conservation.”