IPOT Valorization evidences

Transcript

1 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: SEO/BirdLife Activity number: 1 Date of activity: 1 Curso de formación en turismo ornitológico. Presentación del proyecto IPOT Media used: Power Point - oral Place 1 : La Seu d Urgell, España Duration 1 : 2 días Impact 2 : 1 profesionales de hostelería de la comarca de l Alt Urgell. Purpose of the activity: La comunicación se ha emmarcado en un curso para hosteleria sobre turismo ornitológico organizado por el consell comarcal de l Alt Urgell. Donde se han impartido nociones sobre el birdwatcher y sobre el turismo ornitológico como herramienta de desarrollo rural, conplementaria a la actividad de turismo tradicional. Se ha presentado el proyecto IPOT. Methodology IPOT broadcast: Presentación oral y con espacio posterior para discusión con los asistentes. Visita a una zona importante desde el punto de vista ornitológico. Main results of the activity (related with IPOT project): El proyecto IPOT ha tenido una muy buena acogida, se han recogido los contactos de los organizadores del curso y de los profesionales que han asistido. Para informarles sobre el curso on-line una vez esté elaborado. 1 in case of a public activity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 2 in the case of a presentation or a meeting is the number of attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 1

2 El Consorci Alt Urgell Cerdanya organitza un curs de turisme Ornitològic La proposta formativa va adreçada als professionals que veuen en els ocells un nou producte de promoció del territori La iniciativa s'emmarca en el projecte de cooperació interterritorial 'Mover Montañas' El Consorci Alt Urgell Cerdanya ha programat un curs de turisme ornitològic adreçat als professionals del sector amb l'objectiu d'endegar un nou producte de promoció del territori, ara encara inèdit, que té un gran potencial a ambdues comarques. Aquesta iniciativa s'emmarca en el projecte de cooperació interterritorial d'àmbit estatal "Mover Montañas", cofinançat pel Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino. El curs serà impartit per tècnics de l'empresa alturgellenca Aubèrria Natura i Patrimoni i tindrà una durada de 20 hores, repartides en 4 sessions teòriques de 4 hores cadascuna i una altra sessió pràctica de 4 hores més. Les sessions teòriques tindran lloc els dies 3, 4, 17 i 18 d'octubre, de 4 de la tarda a 8 del vespre, al Telecentre de l'alt Urgell, mentre que la sessió pràctica es realitzarà en una data i lloc a determinar, en funció de les necessitats i suggeriments dels participants. El curs s'estructurarà en tres àmbits i diversos apartats, entre els quals hi ha sengles introduccions al medi natural de l'alt Urgell i la Cerdanya i al món dels ocells, la conservació, els impactes del turisme, el codi ètic, la gestió de grups, les bones pràctiques i serveis, la seguretat i el disseny de productes. El curs també comptarà amb l'assistència del director de l'idapa, Pere Porta, que presentarà l'inventari dels recursos ecoturístics de l'alt Pirineu i Aran. 2

3 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: SEO/BirdLife Activity number: 2 Date of activity: 3 08/05/2012 Media used: Power point - oral Place 1 : Cardona, España Duration 1 : 1 day Impact 4 : 15 profesionales del sector turístico IPOT Valorization Activities Purpose of the activity: Workshop organizado por Turisme de Catalunya (Generalitat de Catalunya) sobre turismo ornitológico. Se presenta IPOT y algunos de sus contenidos. Methodology IPOT broadcast: Comunicación oral, y sesión posterior de consultas individualizadas. Main results of the activity (related with IPOT project): El proyecto ha tenido una muy buena acogida, se han recogido los contactos de los organizadores del curso y de los profesionales que han asistido. 3 in case of a public activity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 4 in the case of a presentation or a meeting is the number of attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 3

4 4 IPOT Valorization Activities

5 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: SEO/BirdLife Activity number: 3 Date of activity: 5 09/06/2012 Media used: Power point- oral Place 1 : Mollet del Vallès, España Duration 1 : 2 días Impact 6 : 45 asistentes Purpose of the activity: Presentación del proyecto IPOT, como ejemplo de internacionalización en las organizaciones. Se expone el ejemplo del proyecto IPOT como línea de trabajo transfronterizo entre diversas ONG. Methodology IPOT broadcast: Comunicación oral con turno de preguntas posterior. Main results of the activity (related with IPOT project): Muy buena acogida de la metodología de trabajo en el consorcio así como del proyecto de turismo ornitológico en sí. Se realiza un primer contacto para valorar impartir un grupo piloto del proyecto en Menorca (Reserva de Biosfera). 5 in case of a public activity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 6 in the case of a presentation or a meeting is the number of attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 5

6 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: SEO/BirdLife Activity number: 4 Date of activity: 7 06/06/ /06/2012 Media used: Folleto y mesa informativa Place 1 : Bucarest, Rumanía Duration 1 : Durante la convención Impact 8 : > 400 visitas Purpose of the activity: Entre el 6-13 de julio se celebra en Bucarest (Rumanía) la 11ª conferencia de las partes ( CoP ) del Convenio de Ramsar (1), de los humedales de importancia internacional, bajo el lema Los humedales: hogares y destinos turísticos. Roberto González, técnico de la campaña Alas sobre agua (2) de SEO/BirdLife, participa en la CoP como parte de la delegación de BirdLife International. Se presenta el proyecto IPOT por su vinculación con el turismo en humedales. Methodology IPOT broadcast: Main results of the activity (related with IPOT project): Se prepara un folleto sobre el proyecto IPOT, y se distribuye entre los participantes. Se ha podido repartir entre todos los visitantes del stand, y se ha dado información a todos aquellos que la han solicitado. 7 in case of a public activity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 8 in the case of a presentation or a meeting is the number of attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 6

7 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: SEO/BirdLife Activity number: 5 Date of activity: 9 18/07/ /08/2012 Media used: Banners Place 1 : Duration 1 : Todo el proyecto Impact 10 : Purpose of the activity: Difusión del proyecto por parte de todos los socios a lo largo del mismo. Methodology IPOT broadcast: Se preparan banners explicativos sobre el proyecto, individualizados para los distintos socios del mismo (cada banner presenta mapa e imágenes características de sus países). Main results of the activity (related with IPOT project): 9 in case of a public activity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 10 in the case of a presentation or a meeting is the number of attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 7

8 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: SPEA Activity number: Date of activity: Media used: Oral talk Place 1 : Lagoa de Albufeira (Sesimbra) Duration 1 : 2 hours Impact 2 : 40 people Purpose of the activity: To celebrate SPEA anniversary. The programme included an informal oral talk about SPEA role on the development and promotion of Ornithological Tourism. Mediteraves was one of the project mentioned, and detailed information about it s objectives, actions and results were presented. Methodology IPOT broadcast: Main results of the activity (related with IPOT project): 1 in case of a public activity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 2 in the case of a presentation or a meeting is the number of attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 1

9 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: SPEA Activity number: Date of activity: Media used: Oral talk Place 1 : Lagoa de Albufeira (Sesimbra) Duration 1 : 2 hours Impact 2 : 40 people Purpose of the activity: To celebrate SPEA anniversary. The programme included an informal oral talk about SPEA role on the development and promotion of Ornithological Tourism. Mediteraves was one of the project mentioned, and detailed information about it s objectives, actions and results were presented. Methodology IPOT broadcast: Main results of the activity (related with IPOT project): 1 in case of a public activity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 2 in the case of a presentation or a meeting is the number of attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 1

10 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: SPEA Activity number: Date of activity: 3 Media used: Internet Place 1 : Duration 1 : Impact 4 : > persons Purpose of the activity: To announce the Project among SPEA members, visitors of SPEA website and subscribers on SPEA Newsletters Methodology IPOT broadcast: Main results of the activity (related with IPOT project): 1. Webpage of the project: 2. News about the workshop that will take place in Sagres Birdwatching Festival (in attachment) 3 in case of a public activity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 4 in the case of a presentation or a meeting is the number of attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 2

11 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: SPEA Activity number: Date of activity: Media used: Power point presentation Place 1 : BBF (Rutland, UK) Duration 1 : 20 minutes Impact 6 : 80 persons Purpose of the activity: Presentation about birdwatching in Portugal with reference to e-learning modules of Mediteraves. Methodology IPOT broadcast: Main results of the activity (related with IPOT project): 5 in case of a public activity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 6 in the case of a presentation or a meeting is the number of attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 3

12 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: BirdLife International Activity number: 1 Date ofactivity: 1 14 November 2011 Media used: BirdLife International Website News Community Place 1 : Duration 1 : Impact 2 : The BirdLife website news community receives several thousand vistors per day to the news summary page. Purpose of the activity: To announce the IPOT project and give information about its purpose, history and future activities. MethodologyIPOTbroadcas t: Internet ble-birdwatching-tourism-to-grow-in-europe/ Main results ofthe activity (related with IPOT project): Dissemination of information and knowledge about IPOT and to online readers of BirdLife International news, which includes a wider variety of stakehiolders from government agencies, Institutions, private sector as well as anybody interested in bird conseravation. 1 in case of a publicactivity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 2 in the caseof a presentationor a meetingis the numberof attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 1

13 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: BirdLife International Activity number: 1 Date ofactivity: 1 14 November 2011 Media used: BirdLife International Website News Community Place 1 : Duration 1 : Impact 2 : The BirdLife website news community receives several thousand vistors per day to the news summary page. Purpose of the activity: To announce the IPOT project and give information about its purpose, history and future activities. MethodologyIPOTbroadcas t: Internet ble-birdwatching-tourism-to-grow-in-europe/ Main results ofthe activity (related with IPOT project): Dissemination of information and knowledge about IPOT and to online readers of BirdLife International news, which includes a wider variety of stakehiolders from government agencies, Institutions, private sector as well as anybody interested in bird conseravation. 1 in case of a publicactivity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 2 in the caseof a presentationor a meetingis the numberof attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 1

14 2 IPOT Valorization Activities

15 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: BirdLife International Activity number: 2 Date ofactivity: 3 1 December 2011 Media used: World Birdwatch Magazine Place 1 : Duration 1 : Impact 4 : World Birdwatch magazine has a print run of 7000 copies and is distributed to 149 countries Purpose of the activity: A featuere article focussed on ornithological and sustainable tourism best practice examples from Spain and Portugal. MethodologyIPOTbroadcast: Magazine Main results ofthe activity (related with IPOT project): Dissemination of information and knowledge about sustainable tourism practices in Spain and Portugal. World Birdwatch is read by a number of stakeholders including the owners of bird tour operators working in the region covered by the IPOT project. 3 in case of a publicactivity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 4 in the caseof a presentationor a meetingis the numberof attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 3

16 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: BirdLife International Activity number: 3 Date ofactivity: 5 28 January 2012 Media used: BirdLife International Website News Community Place 1 : Duration 1 : Impact 6 : The BirdLife website news community receives several thousand vistors per day to the news summary page. Purpose of the activity: To promote IPOT project through the first regional meeting held in Barcelona and especially focussing on the countries where the project is to be carried out. MethodologyIPOTbroadca st: Internet gical-tourism-project-kicks-off-with-meeting-inbarcelona/ Main results ofthe activity (related with IPOT project): Dissemination of information and knowledge about IPOT and to online readers of BirdLife International news, which includes a wider variety of stakehiolders from government agencies, Institutions, private sector as well as anybody interested in bird conseravation.. 5 in case of a publicactivity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 6 in the caseof a presentationor a meetingis the numberof attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 4

17 5 IPOT Valorization Activities

18 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: BirdLife International Activity number: 4 Date ofactivity: 7 1 March 2012 Media used: World Birdwatch Magazine Place 1 : Duration 1 : Impact 8 : World Birdwatch magazine has a print run of 7000 copies and is distributed to 149 countries Purpose of the activity: An article promoting the IPOT project purpose by focussing on the project meeting with quotes from the IPOT project maanger. MethodologyIPOTbroadcast: Magazine Main results ofthe activity (related with IPOT project): Dissemination of information about the purpose of IPOT. World Birdwatch is read by a number of stakeholders including the owners of bird tour operators working in the region covered by the IPOT project.. 7 in case of a publicactivity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 8 in the caseof a presentationor a meetingis the numberof attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 6

19 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: BirdLife International Activity number: 5 Date ofactivity: 9 23 July 2012 Media used: BirdLife International Website News Community Place 1 : Duration 1 : Impact 10 : The BirdLife website news community receives several thousand vistors per day to the news summary page. Purpose of the activity: To promote IPOT project through the second regional Meeting held in Greece. MethodologyIPOTbroadcas t: Main results ofthe activity (related with IPOT project): Internet um-gaining-in-the-mediterranean-for-ipot-sustainablebirdwatching-tourism-project/ Dissemination of information and knowledge about IPOT and to online readers of BirdLife International news, which includes a wider variety of stakehiolders from government agencies, Institutions, private sector as well as anybody interested in bird conseravation.. 9 in case of a publicactivity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 10 in the caseof a presentationor a meetingis the numberof attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 7

20 8 IPOT Valorization Activities

21 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: BirdLife International Activity number: 6 Date ofactivity: August 2012 Media used: British Birdfair 2012 show event Place 1 : Duration 1 : Impact 12 : The Birdfair has between visitors over its three days and has exhibition stands from many bird and wildlife tour operators Purpose of the activity: TopromoteIPOT swork in relationtothebiggest wildlife show in Europe which brings together many wildlife companies and people travelling on wildlife holidays. MethodologyIPOTbroa dcast: BirdLife stand materialsonornithologicaltourismincludingdemonstratingth eiberianbirds Mobile Phone App. Talkingtopeoplefromtourism sector ontheirown stands. Main results ofthe activity (related with IPOT project): Dissemination of information and knowledge about IPOT to key stakeholders such as tour operators and people who travel on wildlife holidays. 11 in case of a publicactivity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 12 in the caseof a presentationor a meetingis the numberof attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 9

22 Richard Grimmett (centre) and Martin Fowlie (right) talking to visitors at the Birdfair 1 0

23 1 1 IPOT Valorization Activities

24 Project Number: ES1-LEO Project partner: BirdLife International Activity number: 7 Date ofactivity: 13 22August 2012 Media used: BirdLife International Website News Community Place 1 : Duration 1 : Impact 14 : The BirdLife website news community receives several thousand vistors per day to the news summary page. Purpose of the activity: To promote sustainable tourism and the IPOTproject via reporting news from the recently held Birdfair MethodologyIPOTbroadcas t: Main results ofthe activity (related with IPOT project): Internet ble-birdwatching-tourism-is-promoted-at-birdfair/ Dissemination of information and knowledge about IPOT and to online readers of BirdLife International news, which includes a wider variety of stakehiolders from government agencies, Institutions, private sector as well as anybody interested in bird conseravation.. 13 in case of a publicactivity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 14 in the caseof a presentationor a meetingis the numberof attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 1 2

25 1 3 IPOT Valorization Activities

26 Project Number: ES1 LEO Project partner: HOS Activity number: Date of activity: Media used: Project banner/ leaflet Place 1 : Oakham UK, British Birdwatching Fair Duration 1 : 3 days Impact 2 : Over 500 people informed Purpose of the activity: To introduce to the birdwatching and birdtourism community the project, as well as to create future collaborations in order to enhance the birding tourism in Greece in the framework of the project. Methodology IPOT broadcast: Main results of the activity (related with IPOT project): Project banner and information material used. Project presented to the biggest birdwatching event in Europe. Professionals (e.g. tour operators, travel agencies) informed about the project and future collaborations have been achieved for its development. 1 in case of a public activity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 2 in the case of a presentation or a meeting is the number of attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 1

27 2 IPOT Valorization Activities

28 Project Number: ES1 LEO Project partner: HOS Activity number: Date of activity: Media used: Power Point presentation Place 1 : Lake Kerkini, Northern Greece Duration 1 : 30 min (of the presentation), 4h (of the event) Impact 2 : 85 participants Purpose of the activity: Information event for the ecotourism in Greece. HOS was invited to the event in order to make a presentation about birding tourism, and based to that the IPOT Project was presented to the locals involved to eco/ bird tourism. Note: Lake Kerkini is one of the most important sites of Greece for birds and birdwatching. Methodology IPOT broadcast: Main results of the activity (related with IPOT project): The IPOT Project presented to the local stakeholders and professionals involved to ecotourim and bird tourism 1 in case of a public activity (presentation, meeting, workshop, conference...) 2 in the case of a presentation or a meeting is the number of attendees, in the case of a paper publication is the number of copies, in the case of a publication on-line is the approximate the number of readers (or 1

29 IPOT Valorization Activities!"#$%& ' (#"#)*'% +#$#,)#$# -.!"#%" (#"#)*'%/#0%/1 /,# ' )''/ 02#$2#)# 2'& '%)2#$#!2"/5"%!#%/%)2#$# /" 0#2'& #)2'"(#"#)*'%3 '##'###4 /#4+#/#267"5/#%2 2'880004#"/#)'%458#/#54'2'9#":,#%%##)70/"5'4 #%)'/##$# '%#;#5;07%2';)444& #2%)'%##5#%2)"%;#2%)'''/###% 2)'#%;#2%)'/##/##%2''<#2)"% $#%#%&4

30 IPOT Valorization Activities!"#$%& ' (#"#)*'% +#$#,)#$# -.!"#%" (#"#)*'%#/%01# 2.,# ' )''. 3/#$/#)# /'& '%)/#$#!/".0"%!#%.%)/#$#."3#/ '& 0#$)/#)#/'#% ''%4/#%")#$##%5 #01#5+#.#67" 0.#%/,#%%##)73."0/ '"#%70""#% 0%%"%''%) (#"#)*'%40$0#% "/#%"'#%3/#$ /01#5 #%)'.##$# '%#4#0437%/'4)555& #/%)'%##0#%/)"%4#/%)'''.###% /)'#%4#/%)'.##.##%/''8#/)"% $#%#%&5

31 2-3 BirdLife Cyprus PO Box 28076, 2090 Nicosia, Cyprus Tel: Fax: birdlifecyprus@birdlifecyprus.org.cy Registration number: 4 COUNCIL President: A.P. Leventis Chairman: Melis Charalambides Vice Chairman and Ringing Officer: Alan Crabtree Secretary: Stavros Christodoulides Treasurer: Chris Charalambides Field Trips Officer: John Stapley Social Secretary: Loria Phylaktis BirdLine Officer: June Neal Fundraising Officer: Eugene Benjamin Member of Council: Chris Stavrou Co-opted Officer: Dan Rhoads Bird Recorder: Colin Richardson Executive Director: Dr Clairie Papazoglou Inside this issue 3 Message from the Chairman 4 Campaigns Update Vasiliki Anastasi, Tassos Shialis, Martin Hellicar 5 BirdLife Cyprus making headlines and Agenda 6 International and Local Environmental News Lilia Kapsali, Lefkios Sergides 7 The first vultures have arrived from Crete Clairie Papazoglou 8 Using tourism to help protect the birds of Cyprus Jane Stylianou 9 Cyprus Presidency and the Environment Constantinos Charalambous 10 Interview with Head of Game and Fauna Service, Mr. Pantelis Hadjiyerou Lilia Kapsali Message from the Council Chairman Dear members, These last few months have been really busy for BirdLife Cyprus. Our EU funded projects are now in full swing, keeping our staff very busy but also giving BirdLife Cyprus much needed new publicity. Many of you will have heard about the first vultures that have arrived in Cyprus from Crete this June as part of the project GYPAS. The arrival of the six birds was widely reported in the media, even resulting in cartoons in daily newspapers. These birds were the first installment and more are to follow, with the hope that sometime in the future we will be able to enjoy a wild healthy population of Griffon Vultures again in Cyprus. At the same time the Oroklini LIFE project is progressing well and the external team that visited the project to check that all is progressing well in April made us some very complimentary remarks. The project has very good momentum and project partners are working well together, under the competent coordination of our Melpo Apostolidou. And finally, there is the EU Presidency. BirdLife Cyprus is lucky to have extra financial support from two funders and thus to be able to employ Constantinos Charalambous for the period of the Cyprus EU Presidency. He will be focusing on the agriculture policy reform during the EU Presidency - a hugely important policy for bird populations, both positive and negative. The EU Presidency will give Cyprus and BirdLife Cyprus much exposure to EU matters, as during this six month period (July to December 2012) Cyprus will preside over decisions about the EU Budget for and all the policies funded by this. A really hugely important period! So even the summer is expected to be very busy for BirdLife Cyprus this year. Have a nice summer! With best wishes, Melis Charalambides Little Owl Athene noctua Stavros Christodoulides 11 BC gains new Research Coordinator & Kleides Islands Coastal Bird Breeding Census 2012 Alan Tye 12 Shop and support 13 Little Owl Athena s favourite Lilia Kapsali Owner: BirdLife Cyprus Editorial control: Lilia Kapsali Articles written by: Anastasi V., Apostolidou M., Charalambides M., Charalambous T., Hellicar M., Kapsali L., Papazoglou C., Sergides L., Shialis T., Stylianou J., Tye A. Printing - Production: Lithofit Graphic designer: ORANGEAPPLE CREATIVE ISSN: BirdLife Cyprus is the most active non-governmental organization that works to conserve wild birds and their habitats and wider biodiversity in Cyprus. The organisation is the national Partner of BirdLife International. We are grateful for continued funding from Mr A.P. Leventis, the A.G. Leventis Foundation and the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) Photo of the issue The first Vultures that have arrived from Crete for the reinforcement of the Cypriot population of the species will remain in the Forest Department holding cage in Agios Ioannis in Pafos until they are acclimatised to their new home, before being released. Dave and Jan Walker If you also wish to share your photos which are relevant to Cyprus nature please send them to lilia.kapsali@birdlifecyprus.org.cy. Lilia Kapsali, Development Officer The magazine Cyprus Wheatear is printed on 40% recycled paper.

32 USING TOURISM TO HELP PROTECT THE BIRDS OF CYPRUS 8-9 Cyprus hosts unique bird species, like this endemic subspecies of Coal Tit, Parus ater cypriotes. David Nye BirdLife Cyprus is one of the participants in IPOT - the International Project of Ornithological Tourism in protected areas in the Mediterranean Basin. This is an extension of the Iberaves project set up by the BirdLife partners in Spain and Portugal. Development for tourism has long been seen as a threat to the habitats used by birds here in Cyprus. Golf courses, hotel complexes, marinas and such like all impact on the local bird populations and their areas. Under EU legislation, important bird habitats are designated as Special Protection Areas, which are part of the Natura 2000 network, aiming to ensure that they receive conservation measures and that only sustainable development takes part in such areas. This can lead to conflict with the local communities who sometimes feel that they are being deprived of utilising the economic value of their community land since it is now part of Natura Several countries such as Spain and Portugal have tried to address this conflict by encouraging eco-tourism and especially bird watching tourism in their protected areas. By doing this they hope to demonstrate to those living in designated areas that there is income to be gained from such tourists, who want to see the areas in as natural a state as possible, and to be able to enjoy the local flora and fauna in their natural habitats. By promoting birding in their network of Special Protection Areas they are encouraging visitors from other European countries, especially from the UK where birdwatchers are seen as especially keen to travel to watch birds. Bird watching guides have set up business all over the Iberian Peninsula - many of whom come come from northern European countries like the tourists they hope to attract. Birds are therefore regarded as generators of economic wealth and value to the Special Protection Areas of the Natura 2000 network. The Iberaves Project was developed by SPEA (BirdLife in Portugal) and the Spanish partner SEO/BirdLife. It combines the ideas behind the conservation and management of Natura 2000 areas and the requirements and expectations of birding tourists. The result is an online management tool to train and inform birding guides to ensure they operate in an environmentally sustainable way and let their clients understand their responsibilities towards the areas they visit, and the birds that inhabit them. The project was funded by the European Commission s Leonardo da Vinci programme. Cyprus is one of only two EU countries where the Spur-winged Lapwing, Vanellus spinosus, breeds. David Nye The same programme is now funding IPOT which is aimed at adapting the project for use in Greece and Cyprus. BirdLife Cyprus and the Hellenic Ornithological Society are now working on adapting the training course to meet local requirements and translating the revised course into Greek. The course relating to Cyprus will be available in both English and Greek and will be tested on pilot groups before completion. With its endemic species and breeding populations of birds such as the Black Francolin and Spur-winged Lapwing that do not occur in western Europe, Cyprus has much to offer the birding tourist. Together with input from BirdLife International each participating partner will also have the opportunity to develop an application for users of smart phones and tablets. This will enable users to locate Important Bird Areas and find details of where their target species occur within the IBA network. The first project workshop was held in Barcelona at the end of January The next is scheduled for Lake Kerkini in northern Greece for mid July. After meeting later this year in Portugal, the partners will present the final results of the project at the British Birdwatching Fair in August Jane Stylianou IPOT Collaborator Cyprus Presidency and the Environment The assumption of the Presidency of the European Council by the Republic of Cyprus is a great opportunity to promote the various environmental issues that concern us both locally and at European level. The Cypriot Presidency is crucial for Europe s environment because, during this 6 month period, the policies for the EU s new programming period ( ) are expected to be finalised, as well as the respective budgets for these policies. The Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy, the Water Policy and the 7th Environmental Action Programme are of particular interest from an environmental point of view. BirdLife Cyprus is actively involved in the effort to shape these policies, to ensure that they have real positive effects for the environment and the birds, on the basis that public funds should be spent to benefit Europe s environment and its citizens. Even before the Cyprus Presidency, BirdLife Cyprus prepared its positions and proposals for the environmental issues to be discussed during the Presidency, participated in various presentations and events that were organized and held meetings with political officials and technocrats who handle these issues. In collaboration with BirdLife International, BirdLife Cyprus has issued a report titled Greening Europe: BirdLife Europe s priorities for the Cypriot EU Presidency, outlining the environmental priorities which should be addressed by the Presidency. Furthermore, especially for agriculture for which BirdLife Cyprus maintains a permanent campaign, we have issued a report titled BirdLife Cyprus vision for a new Common Agricultural Policy in the EU (in Greek only), which details our positions and proposals for a rural policy that respects the environment, produces public goods and supports the average Cypriot farmer and rural communities in the environmental services they provide to our society. Both of these publications can be found on BirdLife Cyprus website and are important tools for the promotion of environmental issues on the agenda of the Presidency. Apart from the conventional actions to influence political decisions, BirdLife Cyprus is also preparing some alternative public awareness activities during the Cyprus Presidency, for the Common Agricultural Policy and for other local issues. More details about these activities will follow soon. Karpasia Melpo Apostolidou The Cyprus Presidency will be a milestone for Europe s environment. BirdLife Cyprus is intensifying its activities to protect the environment during the Presidency, hoping that our efforts will have positive results, as the decisions taken during the Presidency will affect the future of us all. Constantinos Charalambous Communications and Presidency Officer You can find the two documents with BirdLife Cyprus positions and proposals on our website under Features: Environmental priorities for the Cyprus EU Presidency.