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Nearly 90 000 trees were planted during the spring afforestation in four nature parks: Vrachanski Balkan, Bulgarka, Sinite Kamani and Vitosha. They are all local species and the aim is to restore forest habitats in the nature parks which are also protected areas from the European ecological network Natura 2000.

The spring afforestation was carried out within the project “Conservation and Restoration of 11 Natura 2000 Riparian and Wetland Habitats in 10 SCI’s in Bulgarian Forests”. The project is being implemented by the Executive Forest Agency, ten nature parks, structures of the Agency and WWF.

This year 2500 saplings of black poplar and white willow were planted on an area of 23 daa in Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park within Mezdra State Forestry Enterprise. The saplings were provided by Pazardzhik Poplar Station. The planting with these species aims to restore the riparian forests in the region. By the end of the year three cultivations are forthcoming to provide a higher percentage of saplings survival. Next year another 330 saplings of black alder will be planted.

On a total area of 106 daa in Bulgarka Nature Park 53 800 saplings of the species black alder, willow and mountain ash were planted. The aim is restoration of riparian forests. To restore the forests on the slopes beech, sessile oak, sycamore and silver lime were used. In the recent two weeks, the first cultivation of new plantations was carried out; two more are foreseen by the end of this year.

Within the project, in Sinite Kamani Nature Park, on an area of three daa, near Asenovets dam, 750 white willows were planted. The aim is to restore a riparian habitat, typical for rivers and wetlands in southern Bulgaria. Moreover, in the Daulite area, 16 daa were planted with 3 000 maple and 8000 beech trees this year. Cultivation should be carried out three times this year - in June, July and September; the first two had been realized till now.

On an area of approximately 100 daa in Vitosha Nature Park 19 722 saplings of dwarf pine have been planted. Forestry activities are conducted on the south side of the park in the land belonging to Chuipetlovo village. The aim is to restore the so called bog woodlands. In the autumn of the last year in the same area 835 saplings of white willow, which are part of riparian forests in southern Bulgaria, were planted.

with a special photo, symbolizing the ecological network, which was taken from the roof of the National Palace of Culture. 

The spring forestation campaign, organized by Vratchansky Balkan Nature Park Administration started. It is a part of the activities under the project “Conservation and restoration of 11 Natura 2000 riparian and wetland habitats in 10 sites in Bulgarian forests.” The project is implemented by Executive Forestry Agency and the international conservation organization WWF.

The forestation will cover 23 daa of the territory of Mezdra State Forestry Enterprise in the land of Zverino village (the so called 51–6 forestry unit). In the autumn of 2011 there was carried out soil preparation (cleaning) as a preliminary action.

The species used for the afforestation are black poplar (Populus nigra) and white willow (Salix alba). 2500 saplings are provided by Poplar Enterprise - Pazardzhik which is a partner in the project. 330 saplings of black alder (Alnus glutinosa) will be planted in the next years. These species are chosen for the restoration of alluvial forests nature habitat (91ЕО).

Nursing of the newly created culture will be made by the end of 2012. Its aim is to ensure a high percent of survival of the saplings.

This year the afforestation activities coincide with the annual campaign Forest Week which was celebrated in Vratsa at national level.

Additional Information:

The purpose of the project is to improve the condition of 10 protected areas, managed by the Executive Forestry Agency, by conservation and restoration of 11 habitat types

Project sites: Natura 2000 sites Balgarka, Vitosha, Vrachanski Balkan, Zlatni pyasatsi, Persina, Rilski manastir, Lomovete, Sinite kamani, Strandzha and Shumensko plato

Expected results:

• Removal of alien species from total area of 76.5 ha
• Restoration of 80 ha natural habitats by planting local species
• Restoration of 1.4 ha characteristic plant species
• Protection of sensitive habitats by placement of specialized facilities (fences, grates, bridges, tourist spots) over area totaling 240.6 ha with the aim to restrict the human impact
• Cleaning of 97.5 ha

Project partners: EFA, WWF, Nature parks “Balgarka”, “Vitosha”, “Vrachanski Balkan”, “Zlatni pyasatsi”, “Persina”, “Rilski manastir”, “Rusenski Lom”, “Sinite kamani”, “Strandzha”, “Shumensko plato”

Additional information could be found here

A new nature friendly method of forests management is implanted in Strandzha. It is a part of “Conservation and Restoration of 11 Natura 2000 Riparian and Wetland Habitats in 10 SCI’s in Bulgarian Forests” project which is being jointly realized by the Executive Forestry Agency (EFA) and WWF and funded by the LIFE+ Programme of the EU.

The purpose of the method, which is applied in young forests, is production of high-quality wood by using minimal resources and meeting the high standards of nature conservation. Using this method instead of the traditional afforestation, special care of trees called “trees of the future” is taken. These trees must have good quality and to be viable and regularly distributed over the whole area. “The trees of the future” are being chosen with priority among the local species.

One of the regions where the project is carried out is Natura 2000 area - Strandzha, Strandzha Nature Park. It is one of the biggest low mountainous, continuous forest massifs in Europe. Its natural restoration forest is very good. That’s why afforestation is not needed and the work is directed towards the improvement of the forest quality. Unlike Strandzha, in other project regions restoration of forest habitats by planting seeds and saplings of local species is planned.

The method was put into practice for the first time in France (Alsace – Lorraine regions) and in Germany (Saarland) where it yielded excellent results. It is adopted by the certification system for responsible forest management, FSC and is compatible with the conservation of forest habitats under Natura 2000.

The implementation of the method in Bulgaria dates back from 2010 when the quality of 66 da forests in the area of State Forestry Enterprise Kosti and 154 da in State Hunting Enterprise Gramatikovo was improved. Until the end of the year 214 dka more will be restored including the Western Pontic beech forests. The project will end in 2013 but both the enterprises plan to continue the management of these areas in the future.


- The method is compatible with nature conservation because it promotes local species even those which are not used by the traditional forestry as for example Chequer Tree, Wild cherry, Hornbeam, Aspen, Manna-ash. The removal of the competitor species is made by using hand tools – without noise, gases and vibrations. That why it can be carried out even during the nesting period of the birds. When logging is needed, the forest machinery moves only along specifically made cuttings which prevents the congestion of the forest soil and decreases the erosion. The method is connected with long-term planning therefore it helps the conservation of the ecological functions of the forest and the production of wood at the same time.

- The trees which are grown this way produce wood without nodus, with regular annual rings and no rottenness. This makes the wood to be of great demand – the price for 1 m3 can could reach 2000 euro.

- There are no expenses for afforestation when using this method because the natural restoration of the forest is used. In addition, labor costs are low because the growing of 1 ha young forest takes no more than 8-10 hours. Natural self-trimming of trees is used and not mass trimming.

Project data:

- Donor of the project is LIFE+ (financial instrument for environment of EU) and its duration is January, 2010 – December, 2013. Its total cost is 1 236 834 euro including 615 199 euro co-financing of EU

- Expected results:

• Removal of alien species from total area of 76.5 ha
• Restoration of 80 ha natural habitats by planting local species
• Restoration of 1.4 ha characteristic plant species
• Protection of sensitive habitats by placement of specialized facilities (fences, grates, bridges, tourist spots) over area totaling 240.6 ha with the aim to restrict the human impact
• Cleaning of 97.5 ha

- Beneficiaries of the project: EFA, WWF, Nature parks “Balgarka”, “Vrachanski Balkan”, “Zlatni pyasatsi”, “Persina”, “Rilski manastir”, “Rusenski Lom”, “Sinite kamani”, “Strandzha”, “Shumensko plato”, State Forestry Enterprises “Gabrovo”, “Vitoshko – Studena”, “Mezdra”, “Varna”, “Nikopol”, “Sliven”, “Kosti”, State Hunting Enterprises “Dunav – Ruse” and “Gramatikovo”, Forest Seed Control Station, Poplar Enterprise - Pazardzhik

WWF organized the first media trip - part of the project for restoration of riparian forests in the Bulgarka Nature Park in Gabrovo. During the tour, the journalists were acquainted with the places where the Gabrovo State Forestry Enterprise will restore riparian forest habitats.

Besides presentation of project`s activities, the goal of the tour was to promote the nature parks mission and values.