Field actions it 2003 were organized within the framework of the competition among IBA co-ordinators and caretakers. This competition was conducted in 2003 with the support of Vogelbescherming Nederland within the framework of NPL 2002 BirdLife Partners program.
Funding was provided for 9 best projects that won competition. These 9 site conservation actions were aimed at raising public awareness regarding BirdLife International conservation activities in Europe and USPB activities in Ukraine.
1) Public awareness campaign with local people regarding including
IBA 22 into the National Ecological Network
As a result of the project, 600 copies of a colour leaflet (A-4) about IBA 22 (Chulatovo-Kortchenkivski
luky, Desna river Valey) were printed and distributed among local decision makers.
Furthermore, a roundtable with the participation of local people - new landowners
– was organized to discuss ecological importance of IBA 22. As a result of the roundtable,
residents of the village Chulativ signed the resolution to support an initiative
of creating an ornithological reserve on the base of IBA 22. Now, USPB is in the
process of preparing draft proposal for creating this ornithological reserve. The
proposal will be sent to the authorities.
2)
‘They need our help’
As a result of this project, 1,000 copies of a colour poster (A-2) "Globally
threatened species of Dniester Delta, IBA 91”were printed and distributed among decision-makers
on a local and national level, which raise public awareness.
3) Preparation of a colour leaflet "Proirity IBA "Utlyukskij
lyman" under threat"
As a result of this project, 300 copies of a colour leaflet (A-3) were printed and
distributed among target groups (local decision-makers, general public, non-profit
organizations).
4) Impact environmental assessment of building the canal of Danube
Delta
This project included conducting public environmental impact assessment of building
a canal in the Danube delta. Two proposed options of building that are currently
discussed by authorities were analysed. Obtained results confirmed that both options
would have negative environmental impact on the fauna of the delta and on the ecosystems
in the whole. The option of building a navigable path through the Solomoniv arm and
the Zhebriyanska bay was assessed as less ecologically damaging. Based on the results
of the assessment, a paper was prepared for the Ukrainian journal ‘Shipping Industry’.
Currently, this paper is accepted and will be included into the next issue of the
journal.
The results of the assessment were used for lobbing.
5) Survey of two forest IBAs in Kharkov region
This project consisted of the following elements:
Monitoring of the current status of the IBA forest areas and clarifying to which
degree these areas correspond to special forest maps prepared by forest users;
Informing the regional nature conservation inspection about the results of the survey.
Participation in decision-making process;
Preparation of the draft documents for the report to nature conservation inspection
to justify the need in further planning of conservation activities and mapping of
the area.
6)
Public awareness campaign to promote IBA program in the North-Western Black Sea Coastal
Zone of the National IBA network.
As a result of the project, 1,000 copies of a colour A-1 poster "Golden Reserve"
about the North-Western Black Sea Coastal Zone were printed and distributed among
decision makers at different levels. A photo exhibition "IBAs should be protected"
was also organized where posters and other publications of USPB were distributed.
7) Preparation of the artificial nesting places to increase nesting
capacity of wetlands of IBA 63 (international code)
This project included preparation and installation of the nesting places for the
Black-winged Stilt and Avocet on the territory of the Kinburg Regional Landscape
Park. Small islands were built on 10 lakes; their construction was planned in such
a way to create the most appropriate conditions for nesting of colonial birds. This
project was widely announced and discussed during meetings with local population,
the importance of the work on the project and conservation of birds was emphasized;
thus, a positive attitude of the local people toward the project was achieved. During
spring and autumn 2004, monitoring of the project results through birds observation
on the mounted nesting places has been planned.
8)
Public awareness campaign with local people to create positive altitude toward further
steps of IBA program implementation in the Kherson region.
This project included preparation and distribution of the leaflet "Who is wiser
- birds or people", course of lectures (for different level of local people)
"IBA network in Kherson region" and background documents for lobbying regional
department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection. A series of developed lectures
deals with environmental problems at Kardashynski swamp and Geroys’ki lakes. These
lectures were delivered with using USPB’s publications and video materials in schools
and city councils of 5 towns. In addition, a roundtable was organized to discuss
advantages and disadvantages of creating a reserve at the Kardashynsky swamp (IBA
#440). Among participants in this roundtable, there were local authorities, representatives
of non-profit organizations, businesses, and students.
9) Public awareness campaign against unsustainable use of the
wetlands within IBA 043 (Kharkiv region).
Survey of Samara river flood plane (IBA 043) was conducted, and a leaflet about
ecological value of flood plains was prepared and distributed among new local landowners
(colour, A-4, 600 copies). In addition, a list of recommendations on activities to
improve ecological value of the site was prepared and submitted to the local authorities.