WWF Contribution to Natura 2000 in Bulgaria

1. WWF Contribution to Natura 2000 in Bulgaria Katerina Rakovska Natura 2000 Expert, WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme Bulgaria

2. WWF contribution – designation stage Scientific research – field studies and reports on some of beech habitats Comparative Analyses of Bulgarian habits and species in light of the HD Annex _ and Annex II (2004), WWF DCP Bulgaria

3. WWF contribution – designation stage Contribution to legislation on N2K - take part in the development of the Biodiversity Act formed a coalition to campaign against bad proposal of the Protected Areas Act and for the proposals for new habitats to be included in the Annexes of the Biodiversity Act Proposals for inclusion of habitat types and species Participation in working meetings with the Ministry to discuss procedures

4. WWF contribution – designation stage Handbook on identification in the field of natural habitat types - together with Green Balkans Federation 90 habitats Pictures description and geographical distribution 3 experts

5. WWF contribution – designation stage Investigation of potential sites Co-ordinate with other NGOs whowhatwhere focus on Western Danube tributaries and sites along the Danube research of natural habitats types and fish species, the other species – studied by Green Balkans 18 sites 21 950 hectares in total

6. WWF contribution – designation stage • Discussion of the proposed sites from the point of view of a network! • Purely an initiative of NGOS • All stakeholders invited • A working group making corrections of the proposed border of sites

7. Investors vs Natura 2000 Construction industry - blocking roads with trucks Seaside municipalities – protest in Sofia with buses

8. After submission of documentation • Big opposition by investors • Government – all sorts of cuts: o Delays of most critical sites in time o Attempt to exclude spatial plans from the network

10. Our response, 2007 Shadow list sent to DG Env to show that there is no reasons to delay Letter sent to DG Env explaining cheating with spatial plans Campaign within government – letters, position papers, meetings with Ministers this first complaint submitted to DG Environment for insufficient designation of sites + delay

11. Citizens response

13. Results from NGO actions • DG threaten to stop find for Env, OP • Missions from DG Env. To BG to push for action towards adopting the lists • Government adopts decision to include spatial plans in N2K back again • End of 2007 government submits all documentation to EC • From 225 sites proposed – only one not approved by the government – Rila Buffer

14. WWF contribution – designation stage BIoGeo Seminars: • organise training for NGOs • help wit the analyses of coverage • take part in the BG – RO NGO preparation meeting • biogeographical seminars for BG and RO – June 2008

19. Contribution to the type of farming which helps natural & semi-natural habitat types • Trainings (2008 – 2011): • Good Farming Practice /GAEC • High Nature Value farming • Use of EU funds • Organic farming • 840 people trained – farmers, NGOs, authorities

20. Other support to small scale producers in N2K sites: a. Help with appeals b. Help to take part in various fairs • Through the coalition Clean Food, Fair Livelihood – adoption of a Regulation on small farms • contribution to development of the N2K compensation measure + develop training material

21. Lobbying for the new Forest Act, our contribution: • Forest management certification into the law • Non-change of land-use in N2K sites • Payments for Environmental Services concept into the law • Crisis response – react to some harmful proposals in the draft bill, taken out of the draft! • A big media campaign helped a lot – 70 000 signatures under the forest petition

22. Pilot PES schemes- since 2010 • a national public scheme for fisheries and aquaculture in Bulgaria • 2 schemes supporting protection and biodiversity and cultural values of protected areas • 1 scheme for wetland management by harvesting biomass • 1 scheme for compensation fro not logging of old growth forests in Bulgarka by a private company (Aroma)

23. The Danube PES project Payments for protected area management • Place: protected areas in Bulgaria (Russenski Lom) and Romania (Maramures) • Environ issue: protected area administrations lack funds for biodiversity and visitors management • Target: decrease the footprint of tourists and increase attraction and conservation status of PA • Concept: Linking the users of the natural capital to its conservation

24. Bulgarka site - draft management plan: • Field mapping • Assessment of FCS • Proposal for zoning • Development of measures • Develop draft plan • Discussion with local people • Next steps: finalise draft and submit to the Ministry

26. Field projects in N2K sites • Restoration of the Kaykusha Marsh in Persina N2K site • Piloting the use of wetlands biomass (reeds) fro the production of pellets for heating in Persina • Restoration of forest habitats in 10 N2K sites – LIFE project

27. Crisis response work for the protection of N2K sites: • A complaint for the Masters Spatial Plan of Tsarevo Municipality affecting Strandzha site, infringement procedure started • Participation in package meetings with EC reps • Vitosha case – lawsuit against the agreement to enlarge existing ski zone on Vitosha N2K site/ Nature Park

28. Take care for green public funds: WWF people as NGO reps in the monitoring committees of: • Environment OP • Fisheries OP • Rural Development Plan (RDP) • RDP Working Groups

29. Thank you for your attention J krakovska@wwfdcp.bg www.wwf.bg