Preparatory activities
Research of the places for restoration - the places where restoration of forest habitats will take place have been selected.
Technological afforestation plans for the sites Lomovete, Persina, Bulgarka, Vrachanski Balkan, Sinite Kamani, Zlatni Piasatzi and Vitosha are prepared. In Strandzha it is envisaged that the habitats conservation will be carried out using the Saarland method.
All technological plans are agreed with the relevant Regional Inspectorates of Environment and Waters (RIEW) in line with the Regulation on appropriate assessment of the compatibility of plans and projects with Natura 2000 sites.
The methodologies for restoration of thirteen plant species are developed: White and Yellow Water Lily, Water Chestnut, European Waterclover and Water Soldier (for Persina site), Round-Leaved Sundew and Buckbean (for Vitosha site), Strandzha Blueberry, Black Sea Holly and European Yew (for Strandzha) and Angelica pancicii, Rhubarb and Rila Primrose and European Yew (for Rila Monastery). The programmes for 9 of these species, from which reproductive material is planned to be collected, are approved. Additional information is available here.
Conservation activities
The first tendering procedures for afforestation according to Public Procurement Act were announced (Nikopol and State Hunting Enterprise Danube-Ruse).
The locations for collecting reproductive material – seeds and cuttings from for the restoration of forest habitats were selected. Seeds and cuttings of 10 species are collected. Additional information could be found here.
A joint team of WWF and Persina Nature Park works on the restoration of water lily in the ponds on the Island of Persin in the Danube River. In May this year rhizomes of yellow lilies of Veleka were planted in the Peschinsko Marsh and in one of the channels on the Belene Island. More information could be found here.
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. This year 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 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 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 maple and 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 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 saplings of white willow, which are part of riparian forests in southern Bulgaria, were planted.
On May 29th 2010, May 4th 2011 and June 19th 2012 over 8000 volunteers took a part in the National Nature Parks Day – an initiative of WWF supported by Globul and national parks administrations. The volunteers gathered eight tons of waste.
As part of the infrastructure project 11 wooden bridges in 9 parks were built, as well as over 10 tourist corners. The existing infrastructure such as shelters, tourist spots, benches and more was renovated. In each of the 10 parks ten boards with information about waste collection in the nature were placed as well as information boards for the project.
Communications
An Internet page of the project is developed. It is updated with project news and results on a regular basis. The first press conference of the project has been organized as well as the first media trip (at Bulgarka). During the trip a detailed information and demonstration of the project activities was presented to the media.
Press information is provided both to national and regional media on regular basis.
Management
The management team of the project is formed, the documentation for the inclusion of 21 new beneficiaries was prepared and a new agreement between The Executive Forest Agency (EFA) and The European Commission was signed.
21 agreements between the coordinating beneficiary and the new associated beneficiaries were prepared and signed.
The first inception report was prepared and submitted to the Life Unit and a letter with comments and recommendations for the progress was received. The first meeting of the whole project team was held as well as a series of internal meetings with fewer members. Visits to project beneficiaries related to project administration problems as well as field visits are under implementation.
Monitoring
A Steering Committee for the project was established. It carried out its first meeting at November 26, 2010 with the participation Representatives from Ministry of Environment and Waters (MOEW), The Executive Environment Agency (EEA), The Forest Research Institute and The Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research to The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds and The Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation took part. Three meetings with the monitoring representative of the Life Unit were held: in April 2010, May 2011 and May 2012.
The first season of the aerial photographing of parks was completed at 2011. It was performed by the popular photographer Alexander Ivanov. Now he is works on the second season.
Audit
The financial audit of the expenditure documents for 2011 finished, notes of the auditors are received.
Research of the places for restoration - the places where restoration of forest habitats will take place have been selected.
Technological afforestation plans for the sites Lomovete, Persina, Bulgarka, Vrachanski Balkan, Sinite Kamani, Zlatni Piasatzi and Vitosha are prepared. In Strandzha it is envisaged that the habitats conservation will be carried out using the Saarland method.
All technological plans are agreed with the relevant Regional Inspectorates of Environment and Waters (RIEW) in line with the Regulation on appropriate assessment of the compatibility of plans and projects with Natura 2000 sites.
The methodologies for restoration of thirteen plant species are developed: White and Yellow Water Lily, Water Chestnut, European Waterclover and Water Soldier (for Persina site), Round-Leaved Sundew and Buckbean (for Vitosha site), Strandzha Blueberry, Black Sea Holly and European Yew (for Strandzha) and Angelica pancicii, Rhubarb and Rila Primrose and European Yew (for Rila Monastery). The programmes for 9 of these species, from which reproductive material is planned to be collected, are approved. Additional information is available here.
Conservation activities
The first tendering procedures for afforestation according to Public Procurement Act were announced (Nikopol and State Hunting Enterprise Danube-Ruse).
The locations for collecting reproductive material – seeds and cuttings from for the restoration of forest habitats were selected. Seeds and cuttings of 10 species are collected. Additional information could be found here.
A joint team of WWF and Persina Nature Park works on the restoration of water lily in the ponds on the Island of Persin in the Danube River. In May this year rhizomes of yellow lilies of Veleka were planted in the Peschinsko Marsh and in one of the channels on the Belene Island. More information could be found here.
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. This year 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 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 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 maple and 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 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 saplings of white willow, which are part of riparian forests in southern Bulgaria, were planted.
On May 29th 2010, May 4th 2011 and June 19th 2012 over 8000 volunteers took a part in the National Nature Parks Day – an initiative of WWF supported by Globul and national parks administrations. The volunteers gathered eight tons of waste.
As part of the infrastructure project 11 wooden bridges in 9 parks were built, as well as over 10 tourist corners. The existing infrastructure such as shelters, tourist spots, benches and more was renovated. In each of the 10 parks ten boards with information about waste collection in the nature were placed as well as information boards for the project.
Communications
An Internet page of the project is developed. It is updated with project news and results on a regular basis. The first press conference of the project has been organized as well as the first media trip (at Bulgarka). During the trip a detailed information and demonstration of the project activities was presented to the media.
Press information is provided both to national and regional media on regular basis.
Management
The management team of the project is formed, the documentation for the inclusion of 21 new beneficiaries was prepared and a new agreement between The Executive Forest Agency (EFA) and The European Commission was signed.
21 agreements between the coordinating beneficiary and the new associated beneficiaries were prepared and signed.
The first inception report was prepared and submitted to the Life Unit and a letter with comments and recommendations for the progress was received. The first meeting of the whole project team was held as well as a series of internal meetings with fewer members. Visits to project beneficiaries related to project administration problems as well as field visits are under implementation.
Monitoring
A Steering Committee for the project was established. It carried out its first meeting at November 26, 2010 with the participation Representatives from Ministry of Environment and Waters (MOEW), The Executive Environment Agency (EEA), The Forest Research Institute and The Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research to The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds and The Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation took part. Three meetings with the monitoring representative of the Life Unit were held: in April 2010, May 2011 and May 2012.
The first season of the aerial photographing of parks was completed at 2011. It was performed by the popular photographer Alexander Ivanov. Now he is works on the second season.
Audit
The financial audit of the expenditure documents for 2011 finished, notes of the auditors are received.