Nature Free of Invasive Alien Plants

Discussion Forum

June 10, 2022

9:30-18:00

Agricultural University Plovdiv

The Forum included

  • Presentations about approaches to the conservation of valuable natural grassland (meadow and pasture) and forest habitats in NATURA 2000 and methods for the control of invasive alien plant species;
  • A discussion between representatives of all parties, interested in the conservation and sustainable use of Bulgaria’s biodiversity;
  • An exhibition of posters about: invasive alien plant and animal species, which threaten Bulgaria’s nature; valuable natural habitats, etc.

Participants

  • Regional and national experts from the system of the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Executive Environment Agency, directorates of national and nature parks, The Ministry of Agriculture and all its national and regional structures, The National Agricultural Advisory Service – the main advisor of farmers in Bulgaria, The Executive Forests Agency, state forest enterprises, municipal administrations and all other institutions with responsibilities and interests in the topics of the Forum
  • Academic and educational institutions and museums
  • Associations and unions with members, who are farmers or own and use pastures and meadows
  • Non-governmental organisations
  • The general public
  • Media.

About the project

The Forum is part of a project of Foundation Information and Nature Conservation, co-funded by the LIFE programme of the European Commission with associated beneficiaries Ecoforum for the Nature, Plovdiv and Foundation for Organic Agriculture Bioselena (from October 2017 to March 2020).

Conservation measures for the maintenance and improvement of the status of four natural habitats in the NATURA 2000 network were executed as part of the project. They benefited habitats: 9180* Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines, 9560* Endemic Forests With Juniperus spp., 6210 Semi-natural Dry Grasslands and Scrubland Facies: on Calcareous Substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) and 6510 Lowland Hay Meadows.

We were able to:

  • Improve the condition of the target habitats in various ways, including the removal and/or reduction of the risk of introduction of IAS plants in them;
  • Develop programmes and materials and carry out trainings for the main target groups;
  • Create and distribute a series of informational packages for the media, as well as posters and leaflets;
  • Carry out a routine Facebook campaign and maintain a website, which has become the main source of information about IAS plants in the country.
  • Publish articles with pictures about all 10 most dangerous IAS plants in the country, as well as a few of the IAS plants threatening EU countries on a specially designated page on the website of the Ministry of Environment and Water;
  • Create a Handbook for the control of IAS and conservation programmes for all four target habitats of the project.

Organizer and partners

Foundation Information and Nature Conservation in partnership with the Agricultural University Plovdiv with the support of the Ministry of Environment and Water.