In 2004 site conservation actions on the ²ÂÀs have been performed in the framework
of the grant PIN Matra "Conservation of Important Bird Areas in Ukraine:
towards ecological networks and on-the-ground site conservation actions ".
Selection of projects for the purpose of financing had been conducted on competitive
basis. Competition for the best site conservation projects among ²ÂÀ coordinators
and caretakers has been conducted from February 13 till March 29, 2004. 7 projects,
which became winners, received financial support from the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds.
Preference has been given to projects, which were directed at:
1) Improvement in conditions for birds at priority ²ÂÀs (in particular, biotechnical,
hydro-technical measures).
2) Improving management of ²ÂÀs (in particular, development of management plans,
assistance in designating ²ÂÀs an official status of protected areas etc.).
3) Raising environmental awareness through educational, training, publishing and
other information activities among all groups of Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds
(in particular, publishing and distribution of educational materials, posters,
leaflets and other printed products with ²ÂÀ themes; conducting meetings with
local public, organizing summer camps and environmental field trips for children
and youth etc.).
4) Development of the network of ²ÂÀ coordinators a d caretakers, wide engagement
of public in environmental activities.
Such direction of site conservation projects corresponds to the priorities of
IBA program in Ukraine and principles of ecologically balanced management of ²ÂÀs.
First of completed projects has been conducted in June, 2004 by Gola Prystan
branch of Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds under the direction of ²ÂÀ coordinator
Mrs. T. Ardamatska. This project was related to the organization of ornithological
camp for school students "Chaika" ("Sea-gull") on the territory
of regional landscape park "Kinburnska kosa" ("Kinburn spit",
²ÂÀ territory No.63). 20 students of 7th – 11th grades from city schools of Gola
Prystan and neighboring villages became participants of this camp. All of them
are the members of Ukrainian Society for Bird Conservation, participants of the
Ecological and Naturalistic Center for Youth, students of the Correspondence Ecological
School and the Small Academy of Sciences. Among objectives of the project were
not only familiarization of school students with natural resources of Kherson
and Mykolayiv regions, but also building responsibility for the condition of biodiversity
as a whole. Project activities included field trips to study the area and artificial
islands of the park, its flora and fauna. Route survey of birds along the coast
of the Black Sea in Yagorlytska Bay has been conducted. School students kept observation
diaries, learned how to identify bird species and make records, collected herbarium,
listened lectures of Dr. Z. Petrovich, Director of the Park about ringing of birds,
attraction of birds for nesting, inventory of wintering birds in the park. Tours
to study history of region have also been organized – students visited Kinburn
Fortress and Suvorov Museum. Contests for the best picture about nature, the best
tale about birds have been conducted. At the end of their stay in the camp, students
prepared reports. Contest winners have received awards.
Another educational project of has been conducted in Dzhankoi, Crimea, where ²ÂÀ
coordinator Mr. M. Arsiyevich conducted a workshop and practical training "Study
and Protection of Birds of Sivash Lake". This workshop was held on June 23-24
on the premises of Dzhankoi district Ecological and Naturalistic Center for Youth.
Its participants were center's employees and students, biology teachers and children
of 11 schools of Dzhankoi district, scientists of the Black Sea Ornithological
Station (²ÂÀ coordinators), representatives of public organization "Ecology
and Peace", employees of the Ecological Inspection of North Crimea region,
representatives of the Department for Education of Dzhankoi District State Administration.
All together, there were 85 people who took part in this workshop. Lectures about
significance of Sivash Lake for the protection of nesting birds, and also migrating
and wintering species, conditions of biotypes, which are important for birds in
Dzhankoi district, have been conducted in the context of the workshop. There was
a discussion of lecture materials and sessions "Birds of Dzhankoi district",
"Biotypes of Dzhankoi district", "Work with Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds". An entertaining program for school students "Ornithological
auction", which included role plays and quizzes has also been organized.
During the second day, a trip to study biotypes of Dzhankoi district has been
conducted to observe ornithological fauna and rare species. Participants of the
workshop have filed out the questionnaire to evaluate the effectiveness of the
workshop. All participants appreciated this unique opportunity for communication
among school students, teachers and scientists.
Project with participation of school students has also been conducted on the IBA No.91 – Dniester River delta in Odesa Region. This project was named "Bird corridors" and has been initiated by ²ÂÀ coordinator Mr. I. Rusev. 85 students from schools and other educational institutions ffrom Odesa, Bilyaivka, Bendery, Tyraspol, Chisinau, villages of Mayaky, Yasky, Stepne, took part in this project. There have been conducted 7 trips to delta ecological systems, ringed 300 birds from reedbeds on Gontarenko Island and in the colony of Whiskered Tern at the Dniester estuary. There has also been conducted a cleaning-up of canals at the Old Turunchuk in Dniester Delta, Litter has been collected along the banks of Dniester River including water-meadows. Part of the work has been directed at the cleaning-up of lakes from plastic bottles. Local residents praised these work due to improvement of ecological situation; some representatives of local communities took part in litter collection. Besides, signs have been placed on Gontarenko and Osetroviy Islands, which advise visitors of wetlands to protect biotypes and birds, and not to litter. Besides, photo exhibitions have been conducted in village councils, schools, on the premises of Odesa Ecological University. Leaflet "Love and Protect Birds" has been issued and distributed. Work within the faramework of the project has been continued with the use of funds of Odesa City Council and The Farmer associations, which allowed planting trees in Dniester Delta.
In general, work on local environmental projects is at the stage of completion and may be evaluated as quite successful. It is planned to conduct a competition for the best projects also in 2005.