Annual report 2014 Photo: Christiane Runte Photo: Dear Friends of EuroNatur,
The so-called “renewable energies” as alter- December 2014, for example, we received backing from These successes of our efforts have been achieved together natives to coal or nuclear power are experi- the highest level: The Secretariat of the Bern Convention with our local partners, but they are also due in no small encing nothing short of a boom at present. has started proceedings against Macedonia for the planned part to our donors, supporters and sponsors without whose Politics and business also advocate hydropo- construction of two hydropower plants in the Mavrovo help we could not have realized these projects. I would like wer as a supposedly clean source of energy. In National Park, one of the campaign’s focal regions. The to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude reality however hydropower plants are neit- planned developments threaten the survival of Mavrovo’s to you all for your support. We hope to continue having her a renewable source of energy nor are they population of the very rare Balkan lynx. Until such time you by our side. The protection of Europe’s unique nature environmentally friendly. Quite the opposite as the situation has been clarified the projects are halted for future generations is an endeavour we can undertake is the case: Under the guise of green energy (please refer to the Chapter on “Europe’s rivers”). only through collective effort. generation, projects are being conceived and implemented that instead of protecting na- In Albania we also reached another milestone. In the I trust that this report will make interesting reading. ture damage it greatly. This is also the case spring of 2014 the Albanian parliament passed a two-year on the Balkan Peninsula where Europe’s most moratorium on all hunting. This step had been well over- Yours sincerely, valuable rivers are at risk of falling victim to due, given that in recent years illegal hunting has reached something of a ‘dam tsunami’ under the pre- catastrophic proportions and has led to a massive decli- tence of sustainable energy generation. ne in wildlife. Albania’s important and significant decisi- on to suspend hunting was due not least to EuroNatur’s Christel Schroeder One of the focal areas of EuroNatur’s activities engagement. We had persistently called on the Albanian in 2014 was the protection from destruction government to put a stop to the unbridled hunting of of the Balkan Peninsula’s unique river land- migratory birds and other wildlife. You can read more scapes. As a result of the pressure exerted on our work for the protection of Europe’s wild fauna in by our “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” cam- the Chapters “Europe’s large mammals” and “Protecting paign we have made some good progress. In migratory birds in Europe”.
20 Annual Report 2014
Editorial 2 Photo: Goran Safarek - Vjosa river - Goran Safarek Photo: EuroNatur – Nature conservation without borders
EuroNatur, the European Nature Heritage Fund, lives Large-scale protected areas in outstanding land- Presence both in the political arena and at the up to its name: There are virtually no other organi- scapes: practical level: sations that focus their project activities on trans- We safeguard large-scale, intact natural landscapes and EuroNatur is an advocate of European nature in Brussels. boundary conservation in Europe as strongly as we ecologically valuable cultural landscapes in Europe. In this We fight for a reorientation of the European agricultural do. This European focus is enshrined in EuroNatur’s context, one focus of EuroNatur’s work is on projects along policy to render it more favourable both in economic and Statutes which set out the organisation’s com- the “Balkan Green Belt”. environmental terms. And we fight for a conservation mitments to include the “implementation of and policy that opens up future prospects for both people and support for nature conservation projects in Europe We don’t shoot from the hip but we’re in it for the nature. Moreover we campaign for the actual implemen- aiming at the protection, maintenance and rein- long haul: tation of planned measures for the protection of European troduction of fauna and flora in the wild”. We see EuroNatur fosters long-term relationships and works on las- natural heritage. it as our core task to overcome the many national ting successes rather than leaving important regions to their borders in Europe in a positive manner and to own devices on foot of implementing short-term projects. Networks for nature: enable nature conservation efforts at the level of EuroNatur does not only engage in establishing an ecolo- the European continent. Capacity building: gical network of the most important ecosystems in Europe We primarily work with regional partner organisations but also brings together scientists, partners in conserva- on site and provide advanced training for our partners in tion, farmers, politicians and business people from various What are the particularly distinct features the EuroNatur project areas to enable them to effectively countries, thus establishing transboundary communication of EuroNatur’s work? protect nature in their own regions. and understanding.
Transboundary protection of wild fauna: Conservation WITH people: EuroNatur engages in protection measures for species We promote sustainable development in rural areas and of wild fauna such as wolves, bears, lynx, Mediter- offer functioning examples of regional development in ranean monk seals, migratory birds and their habitats harmony with nature. This helps us to win over local peo- in Europe. ple as partners for achieving our conservation objectives.
Annual Report 2014
Mission-Statement 3 Photo: Goran Safarek - Valbona river Valbona - Goran Safarek Photo:
A Foundation to protect Europe’s nature Presiding Committee provides strategic orientation Salaried management staff in charge of operative EuroNatur is a non-profit foundation es- New members of the Presiding Committee are proposed implementation tablished in 1987 by Friends of the Earth by existing members and elected to the Committee by The full-time salaried management team consisting of the Germany (Bund für Umwelt- und Naturschutz majority vote. The President is elected from among the Executive Director and the Director for Nature Conserva- Deutschland, BUND), the German Federation members of the Presiding Committee. In 2014, EuroNatur’s tion Policy is in charge of and responsible for steering the for Nature Conservation (Naturschutzbund Presiding Committee had six voting members, all of whom organization’s operative work. In 2014, EuroNatur maintai- Deutschland, NABU) and German Environ- served in a voluntary capacity. Their duties include deter- ned two offices in Germany and employed a total of 18 mental Aid (Deutsche Umwelthilfe, DUH). It mining the organization’s strategic orientation, approving staff. Central functions such as managing donors, book- is headquartered in Radolfzell. EuroNatur is annual budgets, and approving the annual accounts. The keeping, general administration and public relations work legally, organizationally and financially in- Presiding Committee oversees the work of the Executive are based in Radolfzell at Lake Constance, as are most of dependent, autonomous and non-partisan. A Director and the Director for Nature Conservation Policy the project management activities. The conservation policy foundation having legal personality (rechtsfä- with a view to its lawfulness, expediency and economic office is based in Rheinbach near Bonn. hige Stiftung) such as EuroNatur differs from efficiency. Detailed Committee member profiles can be a registered voluntary association (Verein) accessed at www.euronatur.org. EuroNatur Service GmbH in that it has no membership base. EuroNatur More than fifteen years ago, the European Nature Heritage is a member of, amongst others, the follo- Board of Trustees serves as an advisory committee Fund established a wholly owned subsidiary, the EuroNatur wing organizations: International Union for EuroNatur’s Presiding Committee can nominate persons Service GmbH, a limited company. This small but efficient Conservation of Nature (IUCN), European to the Board of Trustees who support the organization’s service provider publishes and markets landscape and Habitats Forum, German League for Nature concerns. In 2014, EuroNatur’s Board of Trustees had 21 wildlife calendars and guidebooks on EuroNatur’s pro- Conservation and Environmental Protection members, all of whom served in a voluntary capacity. They ject regions as well as a wide range of reference books (DNR), Association of German Foundations, support EuroNatur in three areas: technical advice, espe- and exclusive items. Additionally the EuroNatur Service AgrarBündnis e.V., Europarc, and Wetlands cially with respect to access to funding; public relations GmbH has specialized on layout and mail order services International - European Association. work; establishing the organization and its work more which it provides to the European Nature Heritage Fund firmly within society. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees and other clients. The latest exemption notice (Freistellungs- attends the meetings of the Presiding Committee in an bescheid) was issued by the tax authority in advisory capacity. Singen on August 19, 2013. 20 Annual Report 2014
Organisation & structure & Organisation 4 Important project areas
1 Cantabrian Mountains (Spain) 2 Senne (Germany) Grünes Band Europa 3 Brandenburg (Germany) 4 Narew/Podlasie (Poland) 5 Western Beskidy Mountains (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia) 6 Bohemian Forest/Šumava (Czech Republic) 7 Mura-Drava-Danube „Amazon of Europe“ 4 3 (Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia) 2 8 Sava floodplains (Croatia) 9 Livanjsko Polje (Bosnia-Herzegovina) 5 10 Neretva-Delta (Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina) 6 1 Kantabrisches Gebirge 9 Bojana-Buna-Delta und Skutari-See 17 Kotel-Berge 11 Bojana-Buna and Lake Skadar (Montenegro, Albania) 2 Senne 10 Albanische Alpen 18 Sakar-Hügelland 12 .. 21 Prokletije/Bjeshket e Nemuna (Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo) 3 Brandenburg 11 Korab-Gebirge & Mavrovo-Nationalpark 19 Tilos 7 13 4 Narew / Podlassien 12 Jablanica-Shebenik-Gebirge 20 Karpaten Munella Mountains and National Park Mavrovo (Albania, Macedonia) 68 22 5 Mur-Drau-Donau “Europas Amazo 13 Illinska-Plakenska-Gebirge 14 Jablanica-Shebenik Mountains (Albania, Macedonia) 1 9 6 Save-Auen 14 Shar-Gebirge Grünes Band Europa 15 Illinska-Plakenska Mountains (Macedonia) 7 Livanjsko Polje 15 Dragoman 10 20 16 8 16 Šar Mountains (Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo) 12 16 19 Neretva-Delta Smolyan 11 13 17 Vjosa (Albania) 14 15 18 17 18 Belasitsa Mountains (Bulgaria) 19 Osogovo Mountains (Bulgaria, Macedonia) 20 Sakar (Bulgaria) 21 Carpathian Mountains (Romania) 23 22 Northern Dinarides (Croatia) 23 European Green Belt Tilos (Greece) Sauer Kerstin Map:
5 Annual Report 2014 project areas Photo: Goran Safarek Goran Safarek Photo: EuroNatur’s project foci in 2014
Protecting the European Green Belt and further tum-Strumica; Funding: DBU, EuroNatur’s donors), Protecting Priority “Agricultural policy, biodiversity policy, advancing the European Green Belt Initiative Šumava National Park (Partners: Hnutì Duha; Funding: BUND , energy policy” Protecting Europe’s rivers EuroNatur’s donors), Transboundary protection for the Osogovo Funding spent on this priority: 347,000 Euro Protecting migratory birds in Europe mountains (Partners: BBF, MES; Funding: ZGF, EuroNatur’s donors). Large mammal protection in Europe Projects: Agricultural policy, biodiversity policy, energy Priority “Protecting Europe’s rivers” Agricultural platform - alliance consisting of roughly 30 as- policy Funding spent on this priority: 379,000 Euro sociations representing the concerns of nature conservation, Projects: environmental protection, animal welfare, family farming, This Annual Report describes in some detail “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” campaign (Partners: River- organic farming, and development policy in the process for a selection of projects under individual prio- Watch, MES, Ekosvest, Front 21/42, PPNEA, HDZPP; Funding: the reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (Funding: rity headings. The EuroNatur Foundation has Mava Foundation, Manfred-Hermsen-Stiftung for Nature BfN with funding provided by BMUB, Mava Foundation, Ludwig supported and implemented a number of ad- Conservation and Environmental Protection, EuroNatur’s donors), Raue Memorial Fund), Guidance for the establishment of re- ditional projects and initiatives over and above Protecting one of Europe’s important lifelines – Support for gional, decentralized economic and supply structures in Podla- these priorities, a more detailed description of the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve “Mura-Drava-Danube” sia/Poland with a focus on renewable energy (Partners: Bialystok which is beyond the scope of this report. (Partners: Green Osijek, HDZPP, WWF; Funding: EuroNatur’s Marshal‘s Office, Politechnika Bialystok, Podlasia Regional donors, Mava Foundation), Protecting the Sava floodplains Development Association, DBFZ Leipzig, Energievision Frankenwald Priority “European Green Belt” (Partners: HDZPP, Lonjsko Polje Nature Park; Funding: EuroNatur’s e.V., the town of Wunsiedel and the Wunsiedel Department of Funding spent on this priority: donors and sponsors), SavaParks Network for transboundary Public Works; Funding: UBA with funds provided by BMUB) 201,000 Euro protection for the Sava river landscape (Partners: Lonjsko Projects: Polje Nature Park, HDZPP, all members of the SavaParks Network; Advancing the European Green Belt Initiative Funding: Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation, Michael Otto Foun- (Partners: BUND; Funding: BfN with funds provi- dation for Environmental Protection, Wetlands International, ded by BMUB, EuroNatur’s donors), Transboundary European Commission, EuroNatur’s donors) protection for the Belasitsa mountains (Partners: BBF Belasitsa, Belasitsa Nature Park, Lake Kerkini National Park, Environmental Association Plane-
20 Annual Report 2014
Priorities for support for Priorities 6 Priority “Protecting migratory birds in Europe” Priority “Large mammal protection in Europe” Abbreviations Funding spent on this priority: 411,000 Euro Funding spent on this priority: 476,000 Euro. Projects: Projects: Partners: Safeguarding important resting areas for migratory birds along Protecting brown bears in the Cantabrian Mountains (Partner: AbL: Association for family farming in Germany the Adriatic Flyway (Partners: HDZPP, Baobab, BIOM, DOPPS, FAPAS; Funding: EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors), Protecting APAWA: Association for Protection of Aquatic Wildlife of Albania BPSSS, CZIP, Naše ptice, Naša bastina, APAWA, MES; Funding: brown bears in the eastern Carpathians (Partner: Milvus; Funding: BIOM: BirdLife Croatia Mava Foundation, EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors), Protecting WWF Germany, EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors), Protecting brown BPSSS: Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia the Ulcinj salt flats (Partners: CZIP; Funding: Mava Foundation, bears in Albania (Partners: PPNEA, Alertis; Funding: EuroNatur’s do- CZIP: Center for Protection and Research of Birds of Montenegro EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors); Protecting the Tivat salt flats nors and sponsors), Protecting brown bears, lynx and gray wolves DBFZ: German Centre for Biomass Research (Partners: CZIP, Morsko Dobro; Funding: DBU, Aage V. Jensen Charity in the northern Dinarides (Partner: University of Zagreb; Funding: DOPPS: BirdLife Slovenia Foundation, EuroNatur’s donors), Optimizing management at EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors), Balkan Lynx Recovery Pro- ERA: Environmentally Responsible Action group the Hutovo Blato Nature Park, with special emphasis on control- gramme (Partners: MES, PPNEA, CZIP, Finch, ERA, KORA; Funding: FAPAS: Wild animal protection fund (Spain) ling poaching (Partners: Hutovo Blato Nature Park, Naše ptice, Mava Foundation, EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors), Establishment HDZPP: Croatian Society for Bird and Nature Protection Lijepa naša; Funding: CEPF), Protecting the Dalmatian pelicans of conservation organizations in Montenegro and Kosovo (Part- KORA: Coordinated Research Projects for the Protection and at Lake Skadar (Partners: Noé Conservation, Lake Skadar National ners: MES, PPNEA, CZIP, Finch; Funding: BfN with funds provided by Management of Carnivores in Switzerland Park administration, Tour du Valat, APAWA, CZIP, Natural History BMUB, EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors), Protection of gray wolf MES: Macedonian Ecological Society Museum of Montenegro; Funding: CEPF, EuroNatur’s donors and populations that have recolonized western Poland (Partner: Wilk; PPNEA: Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania sponsors), Protecting Ospreys in Asturia (Partners: FAPAS, Fun- Funding: Lappat Fund, EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors), Protection TPA: Tilos Park Association ding: EuroNatur’s donors), Protecting migratory birds on Tilos of large carnivores in Poland, with special emphasis on wolves and Wilk: Conservation Association “Wolf” island (Partners: TPA; Funding: EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors), lynx (Partner: MRI; Funding: Elisabeth Seifert-Becker’s endowment WWF: World Wide Fund For Nature Protecting migratory birds in the Senne landscape landscape fund for the protection of wolves in memory of Viktoria Neumann, (Partners: Paderborn-Senne Biological Station; Funding: Gel- Emilie and Franz Seifert, EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors), Maintai- Funding: senwasser AG (water and energy supply company), Stadtwerke ning the ecological integrity of migration corridors for large car- BBF: Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation Bielefeld GmbH - public utility, EuroNatur’s donors), Protecting nivores (especially wolves) in Poland (Partners: Conservation orga- BUND: Friends of the Earth Germany the Eastern imperial eagle at Sakar (Partners: Green Balkans; nisation “Workshop for all Beings”; Funding: EuroNatur’s donors and BfN: German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation Funding: EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors), Lesser kestrel rein- sponsors), Transboundary protection of wolf populations in the BMUB: Federal Environment Ministry troduction at Sakar (Partners: Green Balkans, DEMA; Funding: Western Beskids (Partners: Hnutí Duha, Wilk; Funding: EuroNatur’s CEPF: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund Life+, EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors), Protecting of European donors and sponsors), Protection of large carnivores in Baden- DBU: German Federal Environmental Foundation wet meadows and pastures, in particular in the European Stork Wuerttemberg, ’Handlungsleitfaden Wolf’ (Guidelines for dealing UBA: German Federal Environment Agency Villages (Partners: Ciconia Foundation, European Stork with wolves) (Partners: EuroNatur is a member of the ‘Arbeitskreis ZGF: Frankfurt Zoological Society Villages; Funding: Pancivis Foundation, Aage V. Jensen Charity Wolf’ working group as part of the ‘AG Lynx Baden Wuerttemberg’ Foundation, EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors) working group, Funding: EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors), Medi- terranean monk seals - Cap Blanc (Partner: CBD Habitat; Funding: EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors). 7 Annual Report 2014 Priorities for support Photo: Carsten Burggraf - Rhodopes Photo: From death-strip to lifeline
Outstanding European natural heritage Pressure is mounting was preserved in the shadow of the Iron The “closed season” for nature ended with the historical tur- Curtain. Habitats that have become hard ning point, the beginning of the post-Cold War period, in the to find elsewhere in Europe such as old- early 1990s. The fall of the Iron Curtain meant that in parti- growth woodlands, marshes, species-rich cular the biodiverse forests in the former border regions were cultural landscapes as well as wild moun- now threatened by fragmentation due to road construction, tain and river landscapes are strung here near-natural river landscapes became vulnerable to chan- like precious pearls on a necklace. Almost nelization, and almost untouched mountain regions came undisturbed by human impacts for decades, under pressure from timber extraction and ski tourism. a unique ecosystem network developed in this European Green Belt and has provided Transboundary cooperation precious refugia for numerous endangered Our aim is to maintain the valuable natural and cultural species of flora and fauna such as brown landscapes along the Iron Curtain as ‘green lifelines’. bears or lynx. EuroNatur is the regional coordinator of conservation ac- tivities in the Balkan Green Belt. We are developing pilot projects for successful, transboundary cooperation which can also serve as templates for other European regions. We are still a long way away from an ecological network span- ning the continent, comprised of one protected area after another. To this end we aim to establish more firmly within society the idea of the Green Belt and improve linkages bet- ween the various projects along the Green Belt. 20 Annual Report 2014
European Green Belt Green European 8 Selected EuroNatur projects in 2014 European Green Belt Initiative strengthened further
Geographical location in Europe along the European Green Belt, for strengthening national In addition to the regional coordinators, National Focal Ecosystem network with an extraordinarily high level of bio- and international cooperation, and for ensuring sufficient Points as well as NGOs have been integrated into the diversity, forming a 12,500 km long corridor along the route long-term funding for this large-scale project. initiative’s management. National Focal Points have now of the former Iron Curtain from the Barents Sea to the Black been designated for 17 of the 24 countries along the Sea (Map p. 8). The Green Belt connects eight biogeographical European Green Belt. regions and 24 nations. Selected activities in 2014 In September 2014, more than 100 attendees from 23 coun- tries adjacent to the Iron Curtain as well as from Canada Outlook Status and the US came together in Slavonice (Czech Republic) for The establishment of the association is a significant mile- Conservation activities carried out by the numerous the 8th Pan-European European Green Belt Conference. stone and gives the European Green Belt Initiative more actors involved are coordinated by four regional coordi- As part of the conference, 23 governmental and non- clout. The task now is to strengthen existing structures, nators – one for each of the Green Belt’s four sections. governmental organizations from fourteen countries foster active exchange between stakeholders, bring EuroNatur is in charge of the Balkan Green Belt. There had established the “European Green Belt Association”. substantive progress, and put the initiative on a firm not been an overall European-level coordination unit since financial footing. the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) laid down this mandate in 2010. Since 2011, EuroNatur Selected achievements in 2014 and BUND, as part of an international steering group, have The newly established association now, for the first time, been coordinating the initiative. provides a legal organizational structure which represents the European Green Belt Initiative, ensures information flow within its community, and assumes the initiative’s Objectives coordination. EuroNatur and BUND were appointed as Our aim is to structurally advance, bring substantive pro- chair and deputy chair respectively. gress and give renewed impetus to the European Green Twenty countries have now signed a joint Declaration of Belt initiative. The establishment of an association now Intent on the protection and sustainable development of provides a binding organizational structure and lays the the European Green Belt. Partners: BUND and all stakeholders in the European Green Belt foundations for networking the growing number of actors Funding: BfN with funds provided by BMUB, EuroNatur’s donors
9 Annual Report 2014 European Green Belt Photo: Kerstin Sauer - Sweet chestnut forests chestnut Sauer - Sweet Kerstin Photo: Transboundary protection for the Belasitsa mountains
Geographical location in Europe Objectives Important achievements in 2014 The Belasitsa mountains (Map p. 5, No. 18) are located Our aim is to foster transboundary cooperation and to create The photo exhibition entitled “The Incredible Belasitsa” in the tri-border area of Bulgaria, Macedonia and Greece. an awareness in the local population of Belasitsa as a jointly was displayed, amongst other places, in the art salon of They form one of the cornerstones of the Balkan Green shared natural landscape unit. The focus here is on environ- south-western Bulgaria’s most important radio station. Belt. The project area also includes Lake Kerkini National mental education and the establishment of sustainable na- Even just there it was viewed by several hundred visitors. Park in Greece which is located only a few kilometres south ture-based tourism. The overall objective is the conservation As a result of the workshops, regional tourism providers of Belasitsa Mountain. for posterity of the Belasitsa region’s natural treasures. increasingly see Belasitsa as one physiographic region uniting three countries and recognize this as an asset. They are learning from each other and increasingly engage Status Selected activities in 2014 in transboundary cooperations. For example, the Sweet The Belasitsa mountains with their centuries-old Sweet In July 2014 an international youth work camp was held Chestnut Festival in Bulgaria was for the first time also chestnut and beech forests are an important refuge for rare in the Lake Kerkini National Park. The fourteen participants attended by tourism providers from Greece and Macedonia. species of flora and fauna. Lake Kerkini with its extensive from Greece, Macedonia and Bulgaria were familiarized alluvial forests offers significant breeding and wintering with Belasitsa’s natural assets. Together the participants areas for endangered bird species including the Dalmatian developed ideas for sustainable development in the region. Outlook pelican. It is a big plus that the fall of the Iron Curtain An international photography competition to capture Belasitsa’s popularity as a promising region for sustainable made it possible for this transboundary natural treasure to Belasitsa’s beauty was held. A travelling exhibition show- nature-based tourism, environmental education and be experienced by all; its transboundary protection however cased the 45 best photos and put forward the region as an international cooperation has significantly increased as a is a major challenge. Since 2013, EuroNatur in coopera- ideal destination for nature travellers. result of the project. Now we must continue to build on tion with its international partners has worked towards Several workshops ensured transboundary exchanges this progress. creating the preconditions for the regions’ protection. The between tourism providers in the Belasitsa’s Bulgarian, project is primarily being coordinated by EuroNatur’s Macedonian and Greek parts respectively. Bulgarian partner organization BBF. Partners: BBF Belasitsa, Belasitsa Nature Park (Bulgaria), Lake Kerkini National Park (Greece), Environmental Association Planetum-Strumica (Macedonia) Funding: DBU, EuroNatur’s donors
20 European Green Belt Annual Report 2014 10 Šumava National Park National ka - Šumava č Photo: Pavel Be Pavel Photo: Czech Green Belt initiative receives EuroNatur award
Geographical location in Europe EuroNatur Award 2014 for protecting the EuroNatur award is having an impact Bohemian Forest National Park (in Czech: Šumava National Šumava National Park At the end of October 2014, the parliament voted down the Park). Together with the Bavarian Forest National Park, it For more than two decades, the Czech conservation scandalous Senate bill. Hnutì Duha’s tenacious resistance forms one of the largest stretches of wilderness in Central organization Hnutí Duha has been working to protect the significantly contributed to this decision. The presentation Europe and is an essential part of the European Green Belt Šumava National Park. The organization’s contribution to of the EuroNatur Award directed valuable international in its central European section (Map p. 5, No. 6). protecting the Green Belt’s natural assets as well as its attention to the region and thus also contributed to this international understanding of civil engagement have been positive development. exemplary. In October 2014 Hnutí Duha was presented the Status prestigious EuroNatur Award. The aim was to provide inter- With its mosaic of ancient Norway spruce forests, peatlands national support for Hnutí Duha’s activities and highlight Outlook and species-rich wildflower meadows it offers habitats for the Šumava National Park’s great significance for nature In 2015, the Czech government will table new conservation endangered species such as lynx, elk, and Western caper- conservation in Europe. legislation. There is hope that this will further improve the caillie. But even though the region was formally designated outlook for Šumava. a National Park in 1991 Šumava’s natural treasures are under threat. The core zone has gradually been fragmented Selected activities carried out by Hnutí Duha and reduced in size. Moreover, in contrast to the Bavari- in 2014 an National Park, Šumava National Park is lacking binding When it comes to civic engagement, Hnutí Duha pulls out zoning. In 2014, a group of senators together with land all the stops in order to save the Šumava National Park. speculators presented the parliament with a bill which They continued to mobilize the public in 2014. Amongst corrupted the national park idea to the point of absurdity. other achievements, the organization managed to demonstrate It was to permanently permit timber extraction and hun- the significance for the national and international com- ting in most of the National Park and also open it up to munities of Šumava’s natural assets. More than 44,000 building development. people signed a petition calling for nature conservation in Šumava to be given the highest priority.
11 Annual Report 2014 European Green Belt Photo: Goran Safarek - Krupa river Goran Safarek Photo: More than just water …
With their banks, islands, floodplains, kolks Monotony or diversity? Our mission and fords, natural rivers are amongst the But our continent’s last pristine rivers are firmly on the hy- Together with our partner organizations we aim at protecting most varied and biodiverse ecosystems at dropower lobby’s radar and face the uncontrolled expansion the last remaining intact ecological arteries on our con- our latitudes. Rhythms of rising and falling of hydropower and development for inland navigation. A tinent and strive for their sustainable utilization. Shipping waters in these river landscapes create a hydropower plant fundamentally destroys a river’s diversity must adapt to rivers – not the other way ‘round. Hydro- paradise not only for resting and breeding as well as its natural dynamic; it blocks and alters the river’s power projects must give due consideration to aspects of birds, fish, mussels and snails but also discharge. However, it is not easy to recognize the full ex- nature conservation and species protection, rather than fertile land for humans, space for recreation, tent of hydropower impact since much of the damage is destroy species and habitats under the guise of ‘green’ and a rich food base. hidden under water. “It’s still water”, is a commonly held energy generation. notion. But a natural river has as little in common with an impounded reservoir as a primeval forest has with a spruce The focus in 2014 plantation – both consist of trees but the ecosystems are The Balkan rivers are absolutely unique in Europe. On our fundamentally different. The same is true for rivers and re- continent they are now unrivalled. They are amongst the servoirs – one is diverse, the other monotonous. Hydropower major European biodiversity hotspots. But these valuable is not renewable, nor is it a “green” form of energy gene- river landscapes are at risk of being hit by a “dam tsu- ration. It has massive adverse and long-standing impacts nami”. The protection of the “Blue Heart of Europe” from on rivers, floodplains and biodiversity, if it does not destroy destruction continued to be a special focus of EuroNatur’s them outright, and for good. Channelization for shipping work in 2014. purposes destroys a river’s natural dynamic, cuts it off from its floodplain and stops the pattern of flooding and drying out to which riparian ecosystems have adapted; at the same time the risk of downstream flooding increases. 20 Annual Report 2014
Europe’s rivers Europe’s 12 Selected EuroNatur projects in 2014 river - Sava Goran Safarek Photo: Broad-based support for the Sava river
Geographical location in Europe: Objectives The Sava river along its entire course from its source in the The objective is to create a powerful SavaParks Network, Important achievements in 2014 Julian Alps to its confluence with the Danube at Belgrad. rendering the protected areas’s work more effective There was a great response to the invitation to the June Along its length of 950 km, the Sava river connects four beyond their borders as well as providing them with trans- 2014 meeting. Goran Gugic in particular, the then direc- countries: Slovenia, Croatia (Map p. 5, No. 8), Bosnia- boundary support. tor of the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, had done valuable Herzegovina and Serbia. groundwork and greatly contributed to convincing all stakeholders of our initiative’s objectives. Selected activities in 2014 Status The SavaParks Network was established in late June 2014. Massive pressure is being exerted on the Sava river by the Ten representatives of protected areas and conservation Outlook hydropower lobby (please refer to p. 14 - 15). Short-sighted organizations met in the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park (Croatia) The SavaParks Network was successfully established. With planning threatens to destroy one of Europe’s most im- where they signed a declaration to take joint action to a view to bridging the gap between theory and practice, portant river landscapes, weaken the region’s sustainable preserve the Sava river’s ecological values. technical and financial support is to be provided for pilot development, and further heighten flood risks. There are An agreement as to the specific nature of measures to be projects in all four countries bordering the Sava river, already several protected areas along the Sava river which taken for the protection and sustainable use of the Sava amongst other measures. The pilot projects will address significantly contribute to biodiversity protection and eco- river landscape will be crucial to the network’s efficacy. nature conservation, ecological regional development, logical regional development. However, to date too few Fundamental guidelines were drawn up which can give and river restoration. measures have been implemented and a transboundary orientation to decision-makers, protected area administrati- concept has been lacking. The protected area administrati- ons, planning consultancies, and conservation organizations. ons and conservation organizations active in the area have largely been working in isolation. There has been little or no exchange or mutual support.
Partners: Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, HDZPP Funding: Aage V. Jensen Foundation, Michael Otto Foundation, Wetlands International, European Commission, EuroNatur’s donors
13 Annual Report 2014 Europe’s rivers “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” campaign
Geographical location in Europe Mavrovo National Park: Vjosa: Streams and rivers in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Not even protected areas are save from the hydropower The Vjosa is one of our continents’ last pristine wild river Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Ko- lobby. Mavrovo is one of Europe’s oldest national parks systems, but it is threatened with total destruction. A total sovo. Key areas of the “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” and a precious pearl on the European Green Belt. Inside of 33 hydropower plants are projected along the Vjosa and campaign are the Mavrovo National Park (Map p. 5, No. the protected area, there are plans to build two major its tributaries. Practically every single one of the tributaries 13) in Macedonia, the Vjosa river (Map p. 5, No. 17) in dam facilities (“Boskov Most” and “Lukovo Pole”) with are to be dammed and diverted. Albania and the Sava river in Croatia (Map p. 5, No. 8) and funding from the World Bank and the European Bank for Slovenia. Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). These projects threaten to destroy biodiversity which has developed here Objectives over thousands of years. Species at particular risk include Aided by the “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” campaign, Status the critically endangered Balkan lynx (please refer to p. 26). which commenced in 2013, our objective is to stop the hy- Wild and pristine river landscapes can still be found in the dropower and river engineering projects in the three focal Balkan Peninsula. This is where the “blue Heart of Europe” Sava: areas described above. At the same time we aim to draw is beating. However, under the disguise of green energy Extensive alluvial forests, gentle meanders and agricultural the international public’s attention to the Balkan rivers’ generation plans are afoot for the construction of more land shaped by its interaction with the river characterize beauty and to the risks they face. It is not our aim to com- than 630 medium or large-scale hydropower plants in the Sava as one of Europe’s most interesting river landsca- pletely block hydropower in the Balkan Peninsula. However, Slovenia and Albania, most of them with the support of pes. Its extensive natural floodplain is a prime example of plans for hydropower expansion must urgently take into international banks and companies. One of Europe’s most natural flood protection. But the Sava river is coming under consideration aspects of nature conservation and species important natural treasures is at stake. attack not only from a multitude of dam projects but also protection. Therefore we strive for a comprehensive concept from planned developments for inland navigation. which sets out rivers and river sections which must under no circumstances be subjected to engineering measures.
20 Europe’s rivers Annual Report 2014 14 Photo: Adrian Guri - Vjosa river Adrian Guri - Photo:
Selected activities in 2014 Mavrovo National Park: Sava: As part of the Mavrovo Conference in April 2014 the first In December 2014, fifteen non-governmental organizati- protection with widespread impact. More than 400 species public discussion was held on the future of the Mavrovo ons published an open letter in protest against the planned were recorded and these records corroborate the Vjosa’s National Park. The conference was attended by representatives publication by the International Sava River Basin Commission great ecological value. The GEO magazine published a of the Macedonian Environment Ministry, local communities (ISRBC) of a management plan for the Sava river basin double-page spread on the Vjosa in its September issue. and the national press, amongst others. Simultaneously, we which is based on completely false assessments. Almost In December 2014, the mayors and many inhabitants of the published an international petition opposing the planned the entire river including its main tributaries is to be southern Albanian communities of Carshova and Permet hydropower plants. assigned the lowest status category for the purposes of issued a joint declaration against the hydropower projects At the European level we informed the Secretariat of the the EU Water Framework Directive. This would leave the and for a Vjosa National Park. Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife door wide open to the rivers’ further destruction. and Natural Habitats of the hydropower projects in the Mavrovo National Park. Important achievements in 2014 Outlook In June 2014 we hosted a press trip for international The World Bank and the EBRD as funding agencies as well as We have been successful in drawing public attention, at journalists to inform them of the threat of Mavrovo Na- the Macedonian Prime Minister were met with a wave of in- both national and international levels, to the Balkan rivers’ tional Park’s destruction. ternational protest. Almost 100,000 people signed the petition outstanding ecological value, and also in building pressure. against the hydropower plants in the Mavrovo National Park. We will continue to conduct the “Blue Heart of Europe“ Vjosa: The Secretariat of the Bern Convention has started procee- campaign with great intensity. This involves public aware- At the occasion of the “GEO Day Of Biodiversity” we orga- dings against Macedonia for the planned construction of ness raising and mobilization of civil society in the affec- nized a three-day research camp at the Vjosa river. Eleven hydropower plants in the Mavrovo National Park. Until such ted countries, media relations and plugging existing know- research teams examined the as yet very much understudied time as the situation has been clarified the projects are halted. ledge gaps regarding the as yet largely understudied Balkan flora and fauna of this wild river and its floodplains. Critical reports in national and distinguished international rivers. We must amass further sound arguments against the Journalists working for the GEO magazine accompanied media generated publicity for the threats faced by the blue hydropower plants and strengthen our EU level lobbying. the research camp. Heart of Europe. The weekly “Der Spiegel” also reported on We hosted several events to discuss the planned hydropower the matter. Partners: RiverWatch, MES, Ekosvest, Front 21/42, PPNEA, HDZPP, Neza Posnjak projects with the inhabitants of local communities along the With the GEO Day of Biodiversity we focused European Funding: Mava Foundation, Manfred-Hermsen-Stiftung for Nature Vjosa river and to promote the idea of a Vjosa National Park. biodiversity research on the Vjosa river and promoted its Conservation and Environmental Protection, EuroNatur‘s donors Internet: www.balkanrivers.net
15 Annual Report 2014 Europe’s rivers Photo: Willi Rolfes - A flock of starlings - Willi Rolfes Photo: Protecting migratory birds
If you ever attempted a 1,500 km car Under fire from all sides 20th birthday of our flagship project journey without refuelling or taking a rest On their long journey between their summer and wintering The “European Stork Villages” are a prime example of the on the way, then you’ll know that it’s an grounds, intact resting places allowing migratory birds to spirit of networking. In 2014, the initiative celebrated its impossible feat to pull off. But this is the feed and recover their strength are becoming ever more 20th anniversary. It has been creating a growing alliance scenario faced by many migratory birds rare. Habitat destruction and bird hunting are rampant. for the protection of this magnificent species and estab- on their journey between their breeding And the situation in the breeding areas is no different, lishes a counterpoint to the increasing loss of white stork and wintering grounds in Europe. with habitats for eagles, vultures, white storks, cranes, habitats in Europe. pelicans and other species becoming increasingly scarce. Since 1994 EuroNatur has honoured villages or municipa- Our mission lities as “European Stork Villages” which host a high number Our efforts are targeted at curbing poaching and ‘weaving of white storks and are exemplary in their efforts to give a tighter web’ of safe and intact resting, wintering and the species a future. By awarding the title, EuroNatur aims breeding grounds, one site at a time. In 2014, a special to strengthen positive approaches in stork conservation geographical focus of our work continued to be on bird and promote the title-bearers. In 2014, the representatives habitats on the Balkan Peninsula. of the European Stork Villages came together in the Spanish stork village of Malpartida de Cáceres, where the participants agreed to work together even more closely and passed a first draft of a partnership agreement.
20 Annual Report 2014
Nomads of the sky 16 Selected EuroNatur projects in 2014 Sauer - Dalmatian pelicans Kerstin Photo: Shy giants in peril: Dalmatian pelicans at Lake Skadar
Geographical location in Europe Objectives Important achievements in 2014 Lake Skadar (Map p. 5, No. 11) on the border of Montenegro Our aim is to protect Lake Skadar as an important habitat The local fishery associations have been supporting the and Albania. Lake Skadar is the Balkan Peninsula’s largest for breeding and migratory birds along the Adriatic Flyway conservation efforts for the pelicans’ protection since the lake and one of the most important habitats along the and as an essential part of the Balkan Green Belt. This also workshop was conducted. Adriatic Flyway (please refer to p. 18 -19). The area is also includes the protection of keystone species such as the The nesting rafts built in 2013 were well received by the one of the pearls of the Balkan Green Belt. Dalmatian pelican, aiming at the colony’s long-term pelicans in the 2014 breeding season. Human disturbance stabilization. It has been crucial for the project’s success has been much reduced due to improved ranger patrols. to get the local fishermen on board. Forty-eight pelicans fledged in 2014, the highest number Status in more than 30 years. Lake Skadar’s inundation zones and shallow water areas provide vital resting and wintering sites for hundreds of Selected activities in 2014 thousands of migratory birds. Moreover, Lake Skadar is a Buoys were deployed to create a clearly visible protection Outlook breeding area of outstanding importance: One of Europe’s zone around the pelican’s breeding site. The national park The successful 2014 breeding season has shown that we last colonies of the rare Dalmatian pelican is situated at rangers were provided with better equipment for stopping are on the right track with improved ranger patrols, local the lake’s northern end. But this colony is at risk, too. any disturbance inside the protection zone. educational work and the provision of nesting rafts. Despite the fact that it is situated at the centre of the Local fishermen were involved in the protection efforts at Cooperation with fishermen and the local population must national park’s core zone protecting the Montenegrine a workshop in August 2014. This workshop gave fishermen be strengthened in order to ensure the project’s long-term part of Lake Skadar, the area is subject to illegal hunting and conservationists opportunities for exchange. success. Another essential component of the conservation and fishing. For a long time now the Dalmatian pelican efforts is the establishment of a second ranger station population at Lake Skadar has stagnated at a low level, near the pelican colony. primarily due to human disturbance. In recent years only a few dozen pelicans were recorded; the numbers are not sufficient to maintain a stable population. Partners: Noé Conservation, Lake Skadar National Park administration, Tour du Valat, APAWA, CZIP, Natural History Museum of Montenegro Funding: CEPF, EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors
17 Annual Report 2014 Nomads of the sky Photo: Borut Stumberger- Flamingos in Ulcinj salt flats salt Ulcinj in Flamingos Stumberger- Borut Photo: Adriatic Flyway – a risky route along the eastern Adriatic coast
Geographical location in Europe Objectives Selected activities in 2014 Bird habitats along the Adriatic Flyway in Slovenia, Croatia, Our objective is to establish a functioning network of As part of the Second International Adriatic Flyway Con- Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania. The birdwatchers who regularly patrol important resting ference in October 2014 in Albania, 70 experts from 20 Adriatic Flyway stretches from north-eastern Europe grounds to gather data on both bird populations and countries addressed in detail the issues of protecting mi- through the Balkans down to Africa. illegal hunting activities. The aim is to curb bird hunting gratory birds and their habitats along the Adriatic Flyway. on the Balkans. Sustained improvements for migratory Attendees included scientists, and high-ranking represen- birds on the eastern Adriatic coast can only be achieved, tatives of the European Commission, international con- Status if we can get governmental and non-governmental or- ventions and international conservation organizations. Bird hunting and habitat destruction on the Balkan ganizations to work together closely at both national and In the areas suffering most from bird hunting (Hutovo Peninsula mean that every year migratory birds have to international levels. This is also true for the protection Blato Nature Park and Ulcinj salt flats) we ensured re- run a gauntlet. In the small coastal strip along the eastern from destruction of the most important wetlands along gular patrols during the core hunting periods, with ran- Adriatic alone, three quarters of the wetlands have been the Adriatic Flyway. gers, volunteers and staff of our partner organizations destroyed over the past sixty years. The few remaining checking the areas for illegal hunting activities. wetlands are crowded with bird hunters. Every year well The Naše ptice bird conservancy in cooperation with over two million birds come to their deaths there. While local partners in conservation organized a workshop the legal framework along the Adriatic Flyway has seen and a study trip with a view to strengthening both some improvements, not least due to our dogged persis- the function and role of rangers in the Hutovo Blato tence, its implementation still leaves much to be desired. Nature Park. Park rangers and nature park staff were Amongst the most important resting, breeding and winte- equipped with the necessary species identification skills ring ground on the eastern Adriatic coast are the Hutovo and knowledge on the nature park’s special ecological Blato Nature Park in the Neretva Delta (Map p. 5, No. 10) features. They were also trained in all the census me- in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Ulcinj salt flats in the thods necessary for reliable bird counts to be conducted Bojana-Buna Delta (Map p. 5, No. 11) in Montenegro. In during the breeding, wintering and migration periods. both these areas birds are under particularly high threat Moreover, they deepened their knowledge during the from illegal hunting. international mid-winter waterbird count as part of the International Waterbird Census (IWC).
20 Nomads of the sky Annual Report 2014 18 Photo: Anton Vorauer - Deransko jezero Hutovo blato Hutovo jezero Deransko - Vorauer Anton Photo:
Important achievements in 2014 Outlook The Second International Adriatic Flyway Conference In March 2014, the Albanian government declared a two- We have made significant strides in recent years in terms of showed the great potential for improving the situation for year hunting moratorium for the entire country. This well- protecting migratory birds in the countries along the eas- migratory birds along the Adriatic Flyway. Efforts on this overdue step was taken on foot of persistent pressure tern Adriatic. However, the current status is still far from front are already being made by numerous conservation exerted by both national and international conservation being acceptable. Regular patrols have proved to be an ef- organizations. The conference participants agreed that organizations including EuroNatur. The article entitled fective measure to curb bird hunting. We will continue to their efforts must be coordinated more strongly in order to ‘Last Song for Migrating Birds” by US American best- support and if necessary increase these patrols in impor- increase their effectiveness. selling author Jonathan Franzen published in the July 2013 tant resting areas, where possible. In future, EuroNatur and We were able to establish a network against illegal hunting edition of National Geographic also contributed to this its partner organizations will work closely together with in the Hutovo Blato Nature Park. In addition to the park positive development. AEWA, the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agree- rangers, representatives of the local hunting club also ment, with a view to safeguarding the Adriatic Flyway for participated in the workshops and the IWC. Moreover, bird species such as cranes, grey herons, garganeys and cooperation with the local police has also improved. Special focus in 2014 many others. All the countries along the Adriatic Flyway, Illegal hunting in the Hutovo Blato Nature Park has signifi- At the Ulcinj salt flats, the positive impacts of hunting patrols except for Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, are signatories cantly decreased since the project commence in mid-2013. were eclipsed by a larger problem: Eurofond, the salt flats’ to the agreement. Saving the Ulcinj salt flats is proving to As part of the international mid-winter waterbird count in owner, is engaging in their surreptitious destruction. The be a particular challenge. January 2014, almost 17,000 birds were recorded on the ecologically valuable wetland is to be developed for mass Svitava lake which is located in the nature park – more tourism. EuroNatur and CZIP have informed German as than ten times as many as prior to the ranger patrols. well as international institutions of the volatile situation, leading to support for the Ulcinj salt flats being expressed by ambassadors of EU Member States such as Germany, Poland and France. Partners: HDZPP, Baobab, BIOM, DOPPS, BPSSS, CZIP, Naše ptice, Naša bastina, Hutovo Blato Nature Park, Lijepa naša, APAWA, MES Funding: Mava Foundation, CEPF, EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors
19 Annual Report 2014 Nomads of the sky Photo: Willi Rolfes - Brown bears - Brown Willi Rolfes Photo: - Lynxes Willi Rolfes Photo: Large mammal protection in Europe
Brown bears, lynx and wolves are the Brown bear Lynx epitome of European wilderness. Their Brown bears have vanished from most of their former The Eurasian lynx’s range originally covered most of Europe. protection and the protection of their European range. In addition to the fragmentation of their However, sizeable natural lynx populations today only habitats are amongst EuroNatur’s key habitats, primarily as a result of transport routes and wind remain in the continent’s northern and eastern parts. While initiatives. In the marine sphere the or- farm developments, the most significant threat to bears the lynx is flexible when it comes to its habitat require- ganization focuses on the last remaining comes from illegal hunting. This is true also in the Cantabrian ments, it does depend for its survival on unfragmented Mediterranean monk seals. Mountains (Map p. 5, No. 1) in northern Spain, one of the landscapes and sufficient prey, both of which have become focal areas of EuroNatur’s brown bear protection programme rather rare in Europe. Poaching is also a massive problem in 2014. Other focal areas included the Romanian eastern for the Balkan lynx whose eleventh hour has come. This Carpathians and Albania. Bears migrating into Albania shy subspecies of the Eurasian lynx is critically endangered. from the Pindos mountain range in the south or from the The south-western Balkan forests now probably host less northern Dinarides (Map p. 5, No. 22) often vanish into than 50 Balkan lynx. Their survival and the protection of thin air, putting at risk the long-term survival of western their last remaining habitats continued to be one of the Balkan brown bear population. focal areas of EuroNatur’s activities in 2014.
20 Annual Report 2014
Europe’s large mammals large Europe’s 20 Photo: Wolf Steiger - Wolves Steiger - Wolf Photo:
Wolf Mediterranean monk seal The wolves’ great capacity for adaptation allows them to Mediterranean monk seals used to roam the entire settle in a range of different habitats. Over the centuries Mediterranean Sea and adjacent marine regions. Ecosys- however, they were strongly marginalized and in many tem destruction, marine pollution and overfishing have countries they were hunted down mercilessly or exter- brought them to the brink of extinction, which is why minated altogether. Despite the fact that nowadays the as early as 1985 the International Union for Conservation species is given the highest protection in most EU Member of Nature (IUCN) declared the Mediterranean monk seal States, incidences of wolves being shot keep happening. as one of the twelve most highly endangered species EuroNatur, together with its partners, works hard to ensure on the planet. One of the species’ last refuges is on the that the once widespread ‘gray hunters’ can again gain Mauritanian Atlantic coast at Cap Blanc. Together with a greater foothold in Europe by protecting their habitats, our partners we ensure that the resident colony is being combating poaching and fighting against the fragmenta- patrolled and monitored with a view to gaining greater tion of coherent landscapes. In 2014 our activities in this insight into this mysterious marine mammal’s ecology. respect focused on Poland and on the western Carpathians Moreover, we work on combating illegal fishing and on
in the border region connecting the Czech Republic, ensuring optimum conditions for pup rearing. CBD-Habitat - Luc Hoffmann surveillancemonitoring monk seals camera for Photo: Poland and Slovakia.
21 Annual Report 2014 Europe’s large mammals Selected EuroNatur projects in 2014 habitat bear brown in sign Road - Sauer Kerstin Photo: Spain’s bears under fire
Geographical location in Europe Objectives Important achievements in 2014 The Cantabrian Mountains in northern Spain (Map p. 5, Our aims are to prevent the extinction of brown bears The number of females with cubs is steadily increasing in No. 1) are home to two largely isolated brown bear popu- in the Cantabrian Mountains and to allow them to once Fapas’ working region. In 2014, Fapas recorded 15 females lations: one population lives in the west, the other in the again expand their range. with a total of 27 current year’s cubs. Therefore, in only east of the Cantabrian Mountains. Fapas’ activities focus three years the number of females with offspring has on the western population. almost doubled. Selected activities in 2014 Fapas was able to record bears in areas where they had In 2014, Fapas activities focused on combating illegal hunting: not been observed for years. This may be taken as an in- Status More than 90 camera traps were active and allowed for dication of the bears expanding their range in the western In the Cantabrian Mountains, the primary impacts that surveillance even in very remote areas. Fapas staff regu- Cantabrian Mountains. have driven brown bears to the brink of extinction are larly patrolled the area. Working in cooperation with the Camera traps caught eight images of poachers in the wes- illegal hunting, scarcity of food, and loss of habitat. As a environmental arm of the Spanish Civil Guard, their aim tern Cantabrian Mountains. The Civil Guard commenced result of persistent protection measures we have been able was not only to catch poachers … investigations. to keep illegal hunting in the west of the moutain range to … but also to gather information on the bears’ distributi- a minimum. We also managed to improve the bears’ food on, population density and behaviour. To this end, Fapas supply. There are now more than twice the number of bears staff travelled more than 3,400 kilometres on foot and Outlook than there were ten years ago. However, as a result of the collected more than 1,000 samples of evidence of the Combating illegal hunting will continue to be a focus in economic crisis, illegal hunting has once again become a presence of bears. 2015. Only if we can halt this practice will the bear po- burning issue since 2013 and an increasing number of bears All observation data collected were transcribed to the pulation in the Cantabrian Mountains have the chance to has been falling victim to it. “Ursus” database. “Ursus” is an indispensable tool when develop a stable population in the long term and to once it comes to reliably tracking the bears’ population deve- again expand its range. lopment.
Partner: FAPAS Funding: EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors
20 Europe’s large mammals Annual Report 2014 22 Photo: Aleksander Trajce / PPNEA - Neli Resort Trajce Aleksander Photo: No bears in Albanian bars!
Geographical location Objectives Important achievements in 2014 Albania. The brown bears of Albania are part of the In order to significantly contribute to brown bear protec- The documentary was aired by a number of relevant TV Dinarides-Pindos population which ranges from Slovenia tion in the Western Balkans, we endeavour to halt the stations in Albania. It was also shown at the Albanian en- in the north to Greece in the south. illegal capture of brown bears in Albania and aim to erode vironmental film festival and got almost a thousand views societal acceptance of bears being displayed in bars and on YouTube. restaurants. The campaign is beginning to have a positive impact, with Status a number of restaurants and bars in Tirana now refraining In Albania, as in other countries, brown bears are on the from displaying brown bears at their premises. Red List of Threatened Species and are a protected species Selected activities in 2014 under international conventions. Nonetheless it has been We conducted a public awareness campaign in Albania estimated that at least 40 bears in Albania are kept in with a view to mobilizing civil society. Outlook captivity, a sizeable proportion of the overall Albanian We produced a thirty minute long documentary on “Bears Important steps have been taken but the public awareness brown bear population. Female bears are being shot in in Captivity” as well as information leaflets. campaign must urgently be continued. It is similarly order to take cubs into captivity – with disastrous con- important to plug the major knowledge gaps as to the sequences. Albania plays a critical role for the long-term current status of the Albanian brown bear population. survival of the brown bears of the Western Balkans. Bears While good information is at hand on the populations of migrating into Albania from the Pindos mountain range the Northern Dinarides and the Pindos mountain range, the in the south or from the northern Dinarides often vanish Southern Dinarides population remains largely unexplored. into thin air. This does not only threaten the very exis- tence of the Albanian population but also slowly erodes the entire Dinarides-Pindos population. The main reasons for why the sinister trade in the lives of bears can continue include a lack of awareness, lack of controls and a failure to impose sanctions. Partners: PPNEA, Alertis Funding: EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors
23 Annual Report 2014 Europe’s large mammals Photo: Bruno Dittrich - Grey wolf Bruno Dittrich - Grey Photo: Making way for Poland’s wolves
Status Thanks to intensive protection measures, Poland’s wolf In a number of cases of illegal hunting, Wilk lent technical Owing to Wilk’s expertise it was possible to prove that a populations have shown steady growth in recent years. support to the investigating authorities, helping them to young wolf had not died a natural death, as was initially From their ranges in eastern Poland the wolves are also uncover the offences and more efficiently pursue the per- determined by the police, but that he died as the result of increasingly recolonizing Poland’s western regions. However, petrators. having been shot, which then prompted the authorities to the population in the west of the country remains deli- In order to prevent conflicts between livestock owners launch an official investigation. cate. Here the threat from illegal hunting is particularly and wolves, we supported herd/flock protection measures An important section of the so-called Carpathian corridor, high. Moreover, the wolves suffer from the fragmentation in western Poland. For example, one of the biggest live- one of the wolves’ principal migration routes, is located of their habitats and migration routes. The westward stock producers in Lower Silesia was supplied with fladry in the Milowka district of southern Poland. Changes were expansion of their range is being hampered by settlements, (flagged fencing). made to the regional spatial plan, ensuring that all relevant transport routes and intensive land use, especially in A map of all the important wildlife corridors in Pomerania areas are now protected from further destruction due to central and southern Poland. was produced together with the marshal‘s office of the infrastructure projects. Pomeranian Province. The results are to be incorporated into the new regional development strategy for the province. Objectives Outlook Our aims are to protect the existing wolf population in The ongoing growth of Poland’s wolf population is encou- Poland and to accomplish an expansion of the wolves’ range Important achievements in 2014 raging and shows that our long-standing efforts are bearing within Poland. Compared to the previous year, there has been a further fruit. In order to achieve lasting stabilization we must curb increase in the number of wolf packs in western Poland illegal hunting and prevent further fragmentation of wolf and in the regions close to the German border. In 2014, habitats in Poland. Selected activities in 2014 these areas were home to 31 packs or pairs. Two new packs As in previous years, a nationwide wolf census was carried were recorded in the Koszalin Forest, 80 kilometres east of Partners: MRI, Wilk, out with a view to monitoring and assessing the species’ Szczecin, and in the Rzepin Forest, 35 kilometres east of “Workshop for all Beings” conservation organization population development and distribution in Poland. Eisenhüttenstadt, respectively. Funding: Lappat Fund, EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors, Elisabeth Seifert-Becker’s endowment fund for the protection of wolves in memory of Viktoria Neumann, Emilie and Franz Seifert
20 Europe’s large mammals Annual Report 2014 24 Photo: WILK - Wolf monitoring Wolf WILK - Photo: Wolf protection in the tri-border area
Geographical location in Europe Selected activities in 2014 Outlook Western Beskids (part of the Western Carpathians) in the Camera traps were installed, and their results evaluated, Polish and Czech representatives have long advocated tri-border area along the junction of Poland, the Czech on both sides of the Polish-Czech and Polish-Slovakian improved cross-border cooperation with Slovakia with re- Republic and Slovakia. borders respectively. The aim was to get a better indication gard to the management of their shared wolf populations. of the wolf populations resident in these areas. However, the conservationists had been lacking the ne- Genetic material such as faeces and hair samples were cessary baseline data to corroborate the wolves’ need for Status collected in Poland and Slovakia in order to shed light on protection. As part of the project we aim to further plug Statutory requirements with regard to wolf protection the degree of genetic relationship between the wolves in knowledge gaps in this respect and use the information differ widely between the three countries. Wolves enjoy those two countries. The analyses of these samples as well obtained to substantiate arguments for halting the shooting strict protection only in Poland and the Czech Republic while as the results obtained from camera trap monitoring will of wolves in all three countries in the future. they may be hunted in Slovakia. Most wolves are shot in the help with the assessment of hunting impacts in Slovakia immediate vicinity of the Polish border. Hunting in Slovakia on the Polish and Czech wolf populations. thus also affects wolves resident in Poland whose territories extend into Slovakia. There are as yet few records of wolves in the Czech Republic, which is similarly due to wolves being Important achievements in 2014 shot in Slovakia. Moreover, wolves in the Beskids are under Aided by the camera traps and genetic studies, Hnuti threat from numerous infrastructure projects. Duha and Wilk were able to provide evidence of multiple instances of transboundary wolf territories on the border between Slovakia and Poland. Objectives Thanks to the submission by Hnuti Duha of critical Our aims are to expand the knowledge base on wolves in statements, a road construction project was shelved the tri-border area along the junction of Poland, the Czech which would have cut through a Natura 2000 site and Republic and Slovakia, and to strengthen cross-border potential wolf habitat. The establishment of a sheep cooperation between our partners in conservation so as to farm in a migratory corridor used by wolves, bears and afford the Western Beskids’ wolf population more effective lynxes has similarly been halted. Partners: Hnutí Duha, Wilk protection than it has been enjoying to date. Funding: EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors
25 Annual Report 2014 Europe’s large mammals Photo: MES - Camera-trap picture of Balkan lynx picture MES - Camera-trap Photo: Network for the Balkan lynx
Geographical situation in Europe Objectives Important achievements in 2014 Mountainous border regions as part of the Balkan Green In order to afford the lynx effective protection we must In 2014, the project area was successfully extended to Belt between Albania and Macedonia as well as between sustainably safeguard their last remaining habitats. The include Montenegro and Kosovo; it now includes the Balkan Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. long-term objective is a coherent network of protected lynx entire potential range. areas on the Balkan Peninsula which is managed with a For the second year running, camera trapping conducted view to the needs of the Balkan lynx and its prey. To this by PPNEA confirmed the presence of four lynx individuals Status end, we must further develop and strengthen our local in the northern Albanian Munella Mountains. The Balkan lynx, a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx, has partner organizations, plug the knowledge gaps as to the Our Macedonian and Albanian conservation partners are been brought to the brink of extinction as a result of ha- Balkan lynx’s distribution, and raise greater awareness in now in a position to play an active role in the future desig- bitat destruction, direct persecution, and reduction of its the political sphere and amongst the general population as nation of Natura 2000 sites in the interest of Balkan lynx. prey base due to hunting. According to recent estimates, to the species’ need for protection. the Balkan lynx population has been reduced to fewer than 50 individuals. Aside from the Mavrovo National Park, Outlook the Munella Mountains in northern Albania (Map p. 5, Selected activities in 2014 In 2015 Albanian hunting legislation will be revised. No. 13) are amongst the species’ last documented refuges. In order to corroborate the high value of the Munella EuroNatur and its partners are working on a contribution And it is in these mountains, out of all places, that the last Mountains as an area of special conservation interest, PPNEA to be submitted into the legislative process with a view to remaining forests are being cut down and burned down compiled the results of their previous two years of camera more sustainable hunting in Albania in the future. We are at breathtaking speed, whilst the Mavrovo National Park trap monitoring and submitted these to the Albanian also establishing a basis for initialising the designation of is under acute threat from a number of hydropower dam Ministry of the Environment. additional protected areas, including the Munella Moun- projects (please refer to pp. 14 - 15). Moreover, there are Since the summer of 2014, the conservation partners in tains in Albania and the Šar Mountains in Macedonia (Map still major knowledge gaps as to the Balkan lynx’s current Kosovo and Montenegro have been conducting systematic p. 5, No. 16). distribution in Montenegro and Kosovo. camera trap monitoring in potential lynx habitats in both countries. PPNEA and MES staff were trained in Natura 2000 site Partners: MES, PPNEA, CZIP, Finch, ERA, Kora mapping methods. Funding: Mava Foundation, BfN with funds provided by BMUB, EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors
20 Europe’s large mammals Annual Report 2014 26 Photo: Kerstin Sauer - Mauritanian fishermen Mauritanian - Sauer Kerstin Photo: Safe refuges for Mediterranean monk seals
Geographical location in Europe Selected activities in 2014 Outlook Mauritanian Atlantic coast, Cap Blanc peninsula. The six CBD Habitat rangers regularly patrolled Cap Blanc, as in The continuous growth of the Cap Blanc population shows kilometres long “Costa de las Focas” seal reserve is located previous years, both from the landward and seaward sides that measures taken to protect the Mediterranean monk approximately ten kilometres north-west of Mauritania’s in order to minimize disturbances resulting from the presence seals are being effective. Our long-term aim is for the seals second-largest city Nouadhibo. of fishermen and shell collectors. to return to open beaches for breeding purposes. On the In order to gain greater insight into the species’ ecology, beaches it is much easier for the adults to protect their pups CBD Habitat used fixed surveillance cameras to study the from high surfs and swells than in the caves. To this end we Status monk seals’ behaviour in the caves used by the colony to must keep disturbances at a very low level at all times. Cap Blanc hosts the world’s largest Mediterranean monk rear their young, Video surveillance of the caves used by seal colony. As a result of many years of intensive protection the monk seals as well as daily monitoring of the cliffs measures the population is on a steady path of recovery contribute to monitoring population development as well following a mass die-off in 1997 and presently numbers as to spotting and saving pups that may have gotten into approximately 250 individuals. The situation of the Me- difficulty. diterranean monk seal does however remain precarious.
Important achievements in 2014 Objectives The Cap Blanc Mediterranean monk seal population has Our aim is to continuously improve the natural resource further increased. Sixty-nine pups were born in 2014, an base on which the Mediterranean monk seals depend and additional six compared to 2013. This is the highest birth limit risks to the colony as far as possible, so as to rate recorded since surveillance began. ensure the further growth and long-term survival of the Thanks to regular ranger patrols, levels of disturbances Cap Blanc colony. resulting from the presence of fishermen and shell collectors were very low in the sensitive zone in which the caves used by the colony to rear their pups are located. Partners: CBD Habitat Funding: EuroNatur’s donors and sponsors
27 Annual Report 2014 Europe’s large mammals Photo: Willi Rolfes - Flowering fruit tree in a rape field in a rape fruit tree - Flowering Willi Rolfes Photo:
European agricultural policy: Back to square one!
Our continent’s ecological crises are The reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of negotiations, the European Council and the European ‘home-made’ and remain largely unsolved! was agreed in the autumn of 2013. In 2014, the ‘finishing Parliament had very much weakened and watered down Be it climate change or biodiversity decline, touches’ were applied to the policy in Germany as in the the Commission’s ambitious reform proposals. As part of the problems have one common root, and other EU Member States. From the start of the reform the national fine-tuning efforts in 2014, EuroNatur conti- that is the unbridled overexploitation of process, EuroNatur, as part of a broad alliance of asso- nued its steady dialogue with the decision-makers with a our resources. EuroNatur advocates policy ciations, engaged in intensive lobbying aimed at putting view to achieving improvements for nature conservation. turnarounds in the agriculture and energy a much greener stamp on the EU agricultural policy for However, the agricultural policy reform as it was ultima- sectors with a view to the well-being of 2014-2020. The associations lobbied for an agricultural tely agreed fell far short of the associations’ expectations. both humans AND nature. sector which shapes ecologically valuable cultural land- Last but not least it was German members of the European scapes, generates employment, and takes animal welfare Parliament and the Bundestag (German Federal Assembly) and consumer issues as serious as it does issues of global who crushed good ideas. development and climate protection. A new chance for a true CAP paradigm change will not In principle, the reform offered the chance for a course- now come up for a number of years, until such time as correction, as the European Commission’s reform proposal discussions commence on the reform of the agricultural had paved the way for an ecologically sound orientation policy post-2020. In the meantime, however, it is impor- of the new CAP. EU Agricultural Commissioner Ciolos wan- tant to already forge new alliances and mobilize forces at ted to provide direct payments only to farms that follow both the national level and throughout Europe with a view certain rules on crop rotations, maintain permanent grass- to materially affecting the outcome of the next reform land, and protect seven percent of their acreage as ecolo- process in terms of a more environmentally and socially gical focus areas. But over the course of the three years responsible agricultural policy.
20 Annual Report 2014
Agricultural & energy policy energy & Agricultural 28 Poland: Transboundary aid for a turnaround in the energy sector
Based on many years of existing cooperation, EuroNatur We facilitated intensive exchanges between decision- has been advising the province of Podlasia (Map p. 5, makers from Lapy and the Upper Franconian town of Wun- No. 4) as well as a number of municipalities since 2013 siedel in the course of several field trips. For several years on the issue of how to achieve more efficient and con- now, Wunsiedel has consistently pursued a path towards siderate utilization of resources in the region. Our aim is regional, climate-smart energy solutions. Lapy is to benefit to initiate concrete pilot projects in the region with the from its expertise. In June 2014, the two municipalities’ active participation of the local people and municipalities, mayors signed an agreement initiated by EuroNatur es- while at the same time contributing to the generation of tablishing the first German-Polish energy town twinning. the necessary political and economic environment for a The agreement officially signals the two towns’ desire to bottom-up turnaround in energy policy. At present this cooperate on renewable energies and climate protection. district on the eastern fringe of the European Union is very strongly dependent on energy imports. Our project focuses Furthermore, EuroNatur publicized sustainable energy on the establishment of decentralized economic and sup- generation in Poland as part of several events, including ply structures based on renewable energy sources. a conference in Bialystok attended by roughly 1,000 par- ticipants. Two concrete projects were being implemented Initial foundations had already been laid in 2013. In 2014, in 2014: One is a small biogas plant on an organic farm the project in Podlasia significantly gained momentum. which uses only residues to generate power and heat, the Representatives of the Marshal‘s Office, the Politechnika other a small decentralized oil press for producing plant oil Bialystok as well as mayors of a number of municipalities, for direct on-farm use in a converted tractor. The aim is to amongst others, expressed their wish to exchange experiences make the farm more independent of fossil fuel. with German municipalities. Amongst these is the mayor of Lapy (population: 22,000). Supported by EuroNatur, this municipality in eastern Poland aims at becoming independent of external energy supplies over the coming years. A study conducted by the non-profit association “Energie- Partners: BUND, BUND/ Bavarian section, AbL, Agricultural platform vision Frankenwald” and the Politechnika Bialystok as part and other associations engaged in farming and conservation. of our project has shown that the town does indeed have Partners: Bialystok Marshal‘s Office, Politechnika Bialystok, For more information see: the capabilities to achieve this goal. Podlasie Regional Development Association, DBFZ Leipzig, http://www.euronatur.org/Agriculture.landwirtschaft0.0.html Energievision Frankenwald e.V., the town of Wunsiedel Funding: BfN with funds provided by BMUB, and the Wunsiedel Department of Public Works Ludwig Raue Memorial Fund Funding: UBA with funds provided by BMUB
29 Annual Report 2014 Agricultural & energy policy Photo: Franz Hasse - Senne Photo:
Brandenburg: Saving natural heritage
Lush beech and hornbeam forests, inaccessible transferred to conservation organizations, amongst others. stands into species-rich and site-appropriate mixed de- peatlands and sparkling lakes: all these oases Back then EuroNatur agreed to take on approximately 1,000 ciduous woodland. In 2014, this type of silvicultural conver- of diversity can be found in eastern Branden- hectares. As of June 2015, EuroNatur has taken ownership of sion was carried out on approximately 45 hectares. In total, burg, embedded in a landscape that is in parts approximately 860 hectares. Some of the sites are situated silvicultural conversion measures have been undertaken in intensively used. The area is home to nume- in Brandenburg (Map p. 5, No. 3) and include ecologically 195 hectares of woodland sites to date. rous endangered species, such as otters and valuable orchid-rich grasslands hosting endangered species white-tailed eagles. Its inclusion in the National such as the pyramidal orchid. Approximately three quarters Partners: Nature Park administrations at Dahme-Heideseen, Märkische Natural Heritage Programme aims at giving of the acreage transferred to EuroNatur is under forest cover, Schweiz, and Schlaubetal; German Federation for Nature Conservation it long-term protection from destruction. In and roughly half of this forested acreage is dominated, as (NABU) - Märkische Schweiz regional association; local conservation 2000 the German federal government estab- yet, by species-poor pine monocultures which are not site- groups and farmers; landscape management association Landschafts- lished the statutory basis for the area’s protec- appropriate and as a result are of low conservation value. pflegeverband Mittlere Oder e.V.; BUND - Frankfurt/Oder district group tion by allowing ownership of such sites to be EuroNatur is working on progressively transforming these Funding: EuroNatur Trust for Eastern Germany (thanks to generous financial endowments this trust now holds approximately EUR 270,000), EuroNatur’s donors and sponsor Senne: Four-legged landscape managers
A colourful patchwork of heathlands, deci- number of different grazing projects have a special role to this robust breed has been grazing the dry grasslands of the duous and coniferous forests, meadows and play here. Amongst other grazers, a flock of Heidschnucken ‘Moosheide’ nature reserve, thus creating valuable micro- pastures can be found at the foot of the Teu- (northern German moorland sheep) keep shrubs and scrub habitats for numerous species of insects and plants as well toburg Forest. EuroNatur has been supporting from encroaching onto the species-rich heathlands. At the as for sand lizards who lay their eggs in open patches of the “Senne - Paderborn Biological Station” for biological research centre’s annual ‘Heideblütenfest’ – sand. In 2014, as in previous years, visitors to the nature many years been in their work to protect this celebrating the heather in bloom – several thousand visitors reserve showed great interest in the four-legged landscape valuable and species-rich little gem. Given were acquainted with the shepherding of Heidschnucken. managers. that the majority of plant and animal species Environmental education is a core aspect of the research Partners: Senne - Paderborn Biological Station found in the Senne landscape (Map p. 5, centre’s work. Its “Senne horses” project, in particular, Funding: Gelsenwasser, Stadtwerke Bielefeld GmbH No. 2) are dependent on open habitats, a resonates with the public. For more than ten years now, (public utility), EuroNatur’s donors
20 Annual Report 2014
Projects in Germany Projects 30 Photo: Bruno Dittrich Photo: EuroNatur in the media and beyond
Drawing attention to the Blue Heart landscape). Using impressive imagery the film explored this al- time in Vaduz/Liechtenstein. It is one of the most significant of Europe luvial landscape which is unique in Europe and the protection European environmental awards and is awarded to persons The primary objective of the “Save the Blue Heart of which EuroNatur has advocated for more than 25 years. who have made outstanding tangible contributions to nature of Europe” campaign (please refer to pp. 14 -15) is conservation and environmental protection in their sphere of to draw public attention to both the Balkan rivers’ US radio station reports on illegal bird hunting influence, municipality or region. One of the three Bin- beauty and the threats they face. With press tours, in Albania ding Award recipients to be honoured in 2014 was Christel press conferences, the “GEO Day of Biodiversity” at The issue of bird hunting on the Balkans was another topic Schroeder in recognition of her long-standing commitment the Vjosa river, the online petition “The lynx does not to be repeatedly addressed by the media in 2014. Internati- to conservation efforts in large-scale protected areas, for her want a dam - Hands off Mavrovo National Park!” onal public attention is paramount to this issue. In February work on environmental education facilities in North-Rhi- and other activities, we were successful in drawing 2014 for example, the German daily newspaper ‘taz’ repor- ne/Westphalia, specifically at Senne, and for her exemplary international attention to the issue. Prestigious ted on the successes in combating illegal bird hunting in work as President of EuroNatur Foundation. The 2014 Grand newspapers and journals reported on the matter, the Hutovo Blato Nature Park in Bosnia-Herzegovina (please Binding Award went to Ulrich Eichelmann, the Viennese en- some in a highly critical manner. These included the refer to pp. 18-19). In early 2014, the US-American journa- vironmental activist and Managing Director of Riverwatch, weekly “Der Spiegel”, the German daily “taz”, Focus list Phil McKenna travelled to Albania to take a closer look who was honoured for his international engagement for the online, Berliner Zeitung, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, at the plight of migratory birds there. EuroNatur supported protection of rivers. As part of the “Save the Blue Heart of GEO magazine, and the monthly ‘natur’. During a his investigation. At that time the implementation of the Europe” campaign, Ulrich Eichelmann works together with press tour in Mavrovo National Park, which is un- two-year hunting moratorium agreed in 2014 (please refer EuroNatur and local partners to stop the destruction of der threat from a number of hydropower projects, to pp. 18-19) still left much to be desired. McKenna repor- Balkan rivers for the sake of hydropower projects. even just the simple presence of foreign journalists ted on the disastrous consequences of poaching in Albania, clearly unsettled the authorities in charge. and on possible ways of combating it, in an interview with A fresh welcome at euronatur.org US-American broadcaster Public Radio International and in At www.euronatur.org, EuroNatur has been featuring its new Croatia’s wild river landscapes on ARTE TV a report entitled “Killing field for Migrating Birds” in Yale homepage since November 2014. Visitors to the website can A harmonious assembly of river, floodplain and cultural University’s online publication “Yale Environment 360”. now view EuroNatur’s news items, background information landscape has become a rare feature in today’s world, and activities even more quickly and clearly. Large-format but it can still be found in the primeval river landsca- International award honours commitment for photographs make projects more tangible. In the run-up to pe formed by the Sava river. In September 2014, the nature conservation Christmas 2014, the EuroNatur advent calendar revealed ARTE TV channel broadcast the documentary entitled In November 2014, the Binding Award for Nature Conserva- behind its 24 little doors trivia questions, movie recommen- “Kroatiens wilde Flusslandschaft” (Croatia’s wild river tion and Environmental Protection was awarded for the 29th dations and recipe ideas from EuroNatur project regions and thus allowed visitors to gain insights, including some more Annual Report 2014 unusual insights, into EuroNatur’s conservation efforts.
Public relations Public 31 Photo: Kerstin Sauer - Chamomille Kerstin Photo: Economic situation in the 2014 financial year
A firm financial footing thanks to Income and expenditure headings based on the donors DZI specifications DZI Seal of Approval In 2014, EuroNatur Foundation’s regular do- The income and expenditure headings used for the purposes In June 2014, EuroNatur Foundation was again awarded nors, sponsors and legacy donors continued to of this activity report correspond to the prescribed spe- the DZI (German Central Institute for Social Issues) Seal provide the financial footing for our tangible cifications as part of the guidelines for the DZI (German of Approval. EuroNatur had applied for the seal in August conservation efforts in Europe as well as for po- Central Institute for Social Issues) Seal of Approval. The 2013 based on its 2012 annual accounts. Due to changes litical lobbying and environmental education. headings therefore diverge somewhat from the custo- in the assessment date on the part of DZI, our subsequent Once again, EuroNatur also attracted substan- mary breakdown set out in the Handelsgesetzbuch (Ger- application has not yet been processed. According to DZI tial financial support for project implementa- man Commercial Code), especially in the profit and loss our application will not be assessed until the autumn of tion from private foundations and associations account. Amongst the criteria assessed by DZI are two 2015. as well as public sector funding, most notably important threshold values, i.e. the share of expenditure from the Mava Foundation, the Dr. Manfred and on advertising and administration in total relevant expen- The latest result of the DZI assessment of EuroNatur Gudrun Keim Fund, German Federal Environ- diture, and the ratio of expenditure on advertising to total Foundation was a positive one: Its advertising and mental Foundation (DBU), Friends of the Earth income from donations. Not all expenditure is included for presentation of information are truthful, unambiguous, Germany (BUND), the Federal Environment Mi- the purpose of calculating the share of administrative and factual. Funding acquisition and the use of funds as nistry (BMUB), the German Federal Environment expenditure: Expenditure on portfolio management is only well as the financial situation are clearly documented. Agency (UBA) and the German Federal Agen- taken into consideration if its total is a negative amount. The foundation and its gremia have suitable controls in cy for Nature Conservation (BfN). Moreover, Commercial activities are not considered at all. place. EuroNatur’s work was financially supported by certain commercial enterprises in 2014. These included i.a. the utilities company Gelsenwasser and the Bielefeld public utilities.
20 Economic situation Economic Annual Report 2014 32 Photo: Kerstin Sauer - Cormorants Cormorants - Sauer Kerstin Photo:
Appropriate proportion of administrative ex- penses Individual sources of revenue Compared to the previous year, EuroNatur Foundation saw There was a slight increase in revenue from donations in advertising, general PR work and administration in 2014 its income decrease somewhat by € 175k to a total of € 2014 (+€ 199k) compared to the previous year which was compared to 2013 (+€ 41k). The share of expenditure under 2,615k. Total income from donations and fines in 2014 was due to high donations from bequests (+€ 120k). Approxi- these headings in total relevant expenditure now stands at € 1,180k, an increase of €205k. Relevant total expenditure mately 45 % of the 2014 income came from donations. just over 20 % which according to DZI is an acceptable for calculating the proportion of administrative expenses Third-party grants for concrete project implementation proportion of expenditure for general PR work, advertising in 2014 stood at € 2,345k, up by € 112k compared to the also increased in 2014 (+€ 68k). This increase was solely and administration. Pure administrative expenditure ac- previous year. Our projections for 2014 show that Euro- due to financial support received from private foundations tually accounted for ony 10.3 % of total relevant expen- Natur Foundation spent approximately 20.6 % of relevant and associations. EuroNatur Foundation’s non-profit diture, with advertising and public relations expenditure total expenditure on advertising and administration. DZI will tax-exempt and taxable commercial activities saw a sig- accounting for approximately 5 % each in 2014. assess our results at a later point in time. The institute con- nificant decrease in turnover (-€ 247k) compared to 2013. siders appropriate a proportion of administrative expenses of Interest and capital gains had been exceptionally high in up to 20 %, while 20-30 % are considered acceptable. The 2013 due to major nonrecurring items; in 2014 they dropped Successful conclusion to the 2014 financial previous year’s figure was 19.8 %. In 2014, the proportion significantly compared to the previous year (-€ 180k). year of advertising expenditure in total income from donations EuroNatur Foundation concluded the 2014 financial year was 20.5 % according to our own calculations. For 2013, with a positive operating result of € 270k. € 18k were DZI had calculated a figure of 22.7 %. The proportion of all Expenditure withdrawn from project-specific reserves for site protection expenditure on advertising, which according to DZI de- Compared to 2013, EuroNatur Foundation increased its in Brandenburg. Revenue from bequests and endowments finitions also includes general PR work, must not exceed total expenditure on projects, campaigns and education was added to the revenue reserves almost in full. A further 30 % of total income from donations. by € 71k. Close to 80 % of total expenditure therefore € 5k was added to EuroNatur Foundation’s capital stock. went directly into work on projects, campaigns and educa- These additions thus further strengthend the capital stock tion. There was a slight nominal increase in expenditure on and significantly added to the revenue reserves.
33 Annual Report 2014 Economic situation ka č Photo: Pavel Be Pavel Photo:
Notes on the 2014 Statement of Financial A solid foundation – Developments in recent Position years Compared to the previous year, 2014 saw an increase of At the end of the 2014 financial year, the foundation’s EuroNatur Foundation’s statement of its financial position € 201k in EuroNatur Foundation’s total assets which now capital stood at € 2,507k. Compared to the previous year clearly shows that recent years have not only brought stand at € 4,784k. At the end of the financial year, non- equity increased by € 283k to a total of € 3,860k. Revenue successes in the organization’s conservation endeavours current assets (fixed assets) stood at € 2,513k, whereas reserves increased considerably compared to 2013 and but that its work has also been successful in economic current assets stood at € 2,271k. Fixed assets increased by stood at € 1,353k (+€ 264k) at year’s end. terms. Over the past five years, i.e. since 2009, total assets € 97k compared to 2013, while current assets, i.e. primarily increased by € 2,285k and thus nearly doubled. Over the liquid funds and securities, increased by € 105k. EuroNatur past ten years, i.e. since 2004, total assets even increased was able to further reduce accounts receivable to a level by € 3,401k and thus almost quadrupled. The increase in of € 156k. These are all considered recoverable and are due equity, i.e. the foundation’s core capital including endow- within the next twelve months. ments and revenue reserves has been even more positive: Over the past five years, equity increased by € 1,756k and thus almost doubled, while over the past ten years it increased almost fivefold. These developments demonstrate that EuroNatur is on a secure financial footing and has been able to significantly improve its financial position in recent years.
20 Economic situation Annual Report 2014 34 Photo: João Petronilho - Tree lichens Tree - Petronilho João Photo:
Wills and testaments for European nature Dependent foundations and named funds Working together for Europe’s nature A further strengthening of EuroNatur’s asset base is of In 2014, EuroNatur managed three dependent foundati- EuroNatur’s successes in nature conservation in Europe in great importance for the foundation’s independence and ons and two earmarked named funds. The named funds’ 2014 were made possible by the regular donors, sponsors performance as a successful advocate for nature in Europe. capital totals approximately € 235k. The total capital and legacy donors as well as by the providers of grants The increase in the foundation’s capital creates planning stock of the dependent foundations comes to approxi- and by our commercial sponsors, all of whom helped us certainty and independence. Endowments and bequests mately € 2.269k. In agreement with its donor, responsibi- in so many ways. We are most grateful for your support! therefore provide immensely valuable support to us and are lity for the Wetland Foundation for Froggy & Friends was a great sign of confidence, confidence that we endeavour transferred to the association ‘Verein Ebertseifen Lebens- to honour with our commitment. In 2014, we once again räume e. V.’. None- theless, the dependent foundations’ transferred all endowments and yields from bequests to total capital stock held in trust by EuroNatur Foundation the foundation’s capital stock and revenue reserves. This increased by € 104k. In the reporting year, yields from has further strengthened EuroNatur Foundation’s financial dependent foundations continued to primarily benefit position. We expect that revenues from portfolio manage- EuroNatur projects. ment will continue to increase in coming years. Dr. Manfred and Gudrun Keim Fund Ludwig Raue Memorial Fund Bequests and legacies in 2014 Lappat Fund Walter Dempfle, Friedrichshafen EuroNatur Fund for Eastern Germany Wolfgang Kalteier, Berlin Elisabeth Seifert-Becker’s endowment fund for the Juliane Kolesnikow, Wendelstein protection of wolves in memory of Viktoria Neumann, Irene Petzold, Friedrichshafen Emilie and Franz Seibert Christa Anni Speyerer, Wachenheim
35 Annual Report 2014 Economic situation Statement of Financial Position as at 31.12.2014
A S S E T S 2014 2013 ‘‘ 000 € ‘‘ 000 € A. Fixed assets 2,513 2,416 I. Intangible assets + tangible assets 56 50 II. Financial assets 2,457 2,366 B. Current assets 2,270 2,166 I. Stocks 17 10 II. Accounts receivable and other assets 156 177 III. Liquid funds, short-term securities 2,097 1,979 C. Deferred items 1 1 TOTALS 4,784 4,583
L I A B I L I T I E S 2014 2013 ‘‘ 000 € ‘‘ 000 € A. Equity 3,860 3,577 I. Foundation‘s capital Core capital 77 77 Endowments 2,430 2,412 II. Revenue reserves 1,353 1,088 B. Provisions 110 104 C. Liabilities 814 902 D. Deferrals 0 0 TOTALS 4,784 4,583
20 Economic situation Economic Annual Report 2014 36 Profit and Loss Statement for 2014
Revenue according to DZI 2014 2013 Expenditure according to DZI 2014 2013 ‘‘ 000 € % ‘‘ 000 € % ‘‘ 000 € % ‘‘ 000 € % Cash donations 868 33.19 793 28.42 Expenditure on project aid Donations in kind 21 0,80 3 0,11 Staff-related expenditure 452 19.27 453 18.42 Bequests 285 10.90 165 5.91 Administrative and other expenditure 1,050 44.76 1,003 40.79 Fines 6 0.23 14 0.50 Expenditure on project monitoring and assistance Staff-related expenditure 193 8.23 182 7.40
Subtotal (total income from donations) 1,180 975 Administrative and other expenditure 23 0.98 22 0.89 Expenditure on campaigns, education, public awareness Government grants 319 12.20 476 17.06 Staff-related expenditure 90 3.84 84 3.42 Grants from other organizations 999 38.20 774 27.74 Administrative and other expenditure 53 2.26 46 1.87 Nonprofit tax-exempt and taxable commercial activity 17 0.65 264 9.46 Expenditure on advertising and general PR work Interest and capital gains 76 2.91 256 9.18 Staff-related expenditure 97 4.13 90 3.66 Other revenue 24 0.92 45 1.61 Administrative and other expenditure 145 6.18 131 5.33 Expenditure on administration Total revenue 2,615 100 2,790 100 Staff-related expenditure 175 7.46 168 6.83 Withdrawals from revenue reserves 18 1 Administrative and other expenditure 67 2.86 54 2.20 Expenditure on portfolio management & commercial activities 2,633 2,791 Portfolio management 1 0.04 18 0.73 Commercial activity 0 0.00 208 8.46 Total expenditure 2,346 100.00 2,459 100.00 Transfers to the Fund‘s capital stock 5 165 Transfers to revenue reserves 282 125
Transfers to „Umschichtungsrücklage“ (special reserve for gains from transactions to cover potential 0 42 losses of future transactions)
2,633 2,791
37 Annual Report 2014 Economic situation Photo: Sarah Böhm - Hedychrum nobile nobile Hedychrum - Böhm Sarah Photo: Dealing with potential risks
For a non-profit foundation, the EuroNatur swiftly and dramatically. The fact that there are no truly lack of competent and trustworthy partners limits our Foundation capital stock is relatively slim. secure forms of investment which also guarantee yields has options. It is for this reason, that EuroNatur also invests Therefore, the organization is urgently de- definitely become apparent since the onset of the financial in the systematic development and strengthening of civil pendent on donations and third-party grants crisis in 2008. There is no interest without risk. In this light society in southern and eastern Europe. EuroNatur’s pro- in so as to be able to discharge its mandate it is becoming increasingly difficult to find some middle ject work is always predicated on cooperation with a local as an advocate of nature in Europe. We ground between security and financial returns. Charting our partner organization. If there is no such partner organization are aware of the fact that with this fun- course in this respect we abide by the following principles: in a particular region, it is reason enough for EuroNatur not ding comes great responsibility and day in, The EuroNatur Foundation invests its equity capital in low- to engage. day out we work towards using the funds as risk funds, taking into account ethical and environmental efficiently as possible. The manner in which criteria (please refer to the chapter on “Transparency”). Misappropriation of funds these grants and donations are passed on to Moreover, reserves are built up in order to be able to even We have self-imposed strict rules on budgetary control. All partner organizations in the east and south out fluctuations in revenues. The special reserve set up in outward payments are checked for mathematical and factual of Europe is also a sensitive issue, one that is 2013 for gains from transactions which can in turn be used correctness. Payment orders are always subject to the “Two- predicated on a very good network of long- to cover potential losses of future transactions (“Umschich- man rule”. Target-performance comparisons are carried out term contacts. Moreover, a multi-level control tungsrücklage”) is a safeguard against potentially required on a monthly basis, allowing for swift detection of potential system is essential for the correct assessment depreciation of fixed assets. irregularities. Our 2014 annual accounts were audited by the of and effective response to risks. Risk miti- independent auditing and tax accounting firm WISTA AG and gation measures must also be adopted for Lack of competent and trustworthy partner endorsed with an unqualified audit certificate. capital investments. organizations The EuroNatur Foundation has not opted for a Europe- Inefficiencies and ineffectiveness in project work Potential risks and the measures wide network of offices with full-time employees, thus We regularly scrutinize our internal processes which allows us we take to avert them eliminating the considerable administrative expenditure to continuously increase our efficiency. We also analyse the such a network would incur. We are primarily concerned work of our partner organizations and work with them to find Financial and economic crises with cooperating with existing conservation organizations solutions to increase their efficiency. Our partners’ statements The global financial and economic crisis which that are well connected in their local areas and are suc- of expenditure are checked by the project liaison person for began in 2008, and the impacts of which are cessful in their endeavours. In many countries of southern factual accuracy and by the accounting department for still being felt, has shown once again that our and eastern Europe, powerful non-profit and independent financial accuracy. All statements of expenditure are submitted lives’ economic circumstances can change conservation organizations are few and far between. The to the managing directors prior to funds being paid out.
20 Annual Report 2014
Risks 38 Photo: R. Jakubowski - Gomero wall gecko wall Gomero - Jakubowski R. Photo: Transparency and sustainability are amongst EuroNatur’s important tenets
EuroNatur was again awarded the DZI Auditing Capital investment based on environmental Seal of Approval In 2014, EuroNatur once again voluntarily submitted to and ethical criteria In 2014, EuroNatur Foundation was again awarded an audit of its annual accounts by an auditor. The auditing EuroNatur Foundation’s foundation capital now amounts the DZI (German Central Institute for Social Issues) and tax accounting firm WISTA AG audited EuroNatur to more than € 2.5 million. Moreover, EuroNatur Foundation Seal of Approval which certifies that EuroNatur Foundation’s 2014 annual accounts in accordance with holds trust property of more than € 2.2 million in trust uses funds prudently, is reputable in its solicitation Par. 317 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) and in for the benefit of the non-autonomous foundations. In of donations, and keeps the proportion of funds accordance with the accepted standards for the review of keeping with the organization’s philosophy, investment spent on administration at acceptable levels. financial statements (IDW PS 201) as set out by the Institu- decisions are based on environmental and ethical criteria. te of Public Auditors in Germany (IDW) and endorsed the Both inclusion and exclusion criteria are applied to these accounts with an unqualified audit certificate. An extract decisions. As a minimum, investment products are not Initiative for transparency in civil society from the audit certificate states the following: considered if they invest in companies involved in nuc- EuroNatur has been a signatory to Transparency lear power, agrochemicals, weapons, genetic engineering, International Germany’s “Initiative Transparente “We have audited the annual financial statements, consisting pornography, alcohol, tobacco, the motor industry, airline Zivilgesellschaft” (Initiative for transparency in of the balance sheet, statement of income, and notes, and companies, or if they are invested in government bonds civil society) since 2010. Signatories to the initiative including the accounting and the management report of in nations practicing capital punishment, actively driving voluntarily commit to publishing ten particular EuroNatur – Stiftung Europäisches Naturerbe, Radolfzell, forward nuclear energy, or which are considered corrupt. items of information about their organization on for the fiscal year from January 1 to December 31, 2014. Our main financial service providers for asset management their homepage. These include i.a. their statutes, […] Our audit did not lead to any objections.” purposes are the Umweltbank AG, the Bank J. Safra Sarasin the names of essential decision-makers, and infor- 1 June 2015, WISTA AG, Mannheim AG, and the GLS Bank. mation on how they are funded, how they use their funding, and their personnel structure.
Transparency 39 Annual Report 2014 Photo: David Köster - Fjallabak - Köster David Photo:
System of remuneration EuroNatur’s employees are assigned at five different at www.euronatur.org. In addition, regular supporters development and project application. EuroNatur develops functional levels, in addition to the management team. receive the EuroNatur magazine as well as topical pro- projects based on comprehensive situational analysis and These five levels are Administration I and II, Divisional ject reports containing comprehensive information and needs assessments. Together with our partners we formu- management, and Project management I and II. Remuneration reports on current developments in the projects. In 2014, late the overall objectives and prepare project applica- bands have been set for each of the levels, extending 10 % EuroNatur Foundation conducted its own donor informa- tions based thereon. These can only attract funding, if the either side of the mid-point. The mid-points for the Admi- tion and fundraising. With the exception of printers, no objectives are clearly set out and if activities are proposed nistration I and Project Management II remuneration bands aspect of these tasks was outsourced to any agency or that serve to meet these objectives. Evidence of the use are € 33k and € 50k per annum respectively. external service provider. of funds must include comprehensive evaluations of the achievement of set objectives as well as rationales for po- The three highest annual remuneration packages are tential changes in or adjustments to activities or even ob- received by the Executive Director, the Director for Nature Impact monitoring and impact analysis jectives. In order to receive grants from EuroNatur, applicants Conservation Policy and the Head of Finance and Accoun- One of the most important tenets of EuroNatur’s work is must present cohesive project designs in keeping with the ting. Extrapolated to full-time posts these three positions the efficient deployment of funds entrusted to us by our principles set out above. The partner organization’s reports receive a total of approximately € 224k. Without exception donors and by the organizations (both governmental and are subject to comprehensive evaluation by EuroNatur and all members of the Presiding Committee and the Board of non-governmental) that support our work. Systematic our project managers regularly visit the project areas to Trustees act in a voluntary capacity and only receive planning and comprehensive impact monitoring are discuss the projects’ progress. reimbursements for cost incurred, but no expense allowances. preconditions to the efficient use of funds. Both positive developments and difficulties arising are EuroNatur Foundation takes both a supportive and an ope- assessed in order to allow for procedural adjustments to be Advertising and donor information rative role. For projects undertaken by EuroNatur in coo- made and to learn lessons for the future. Progress reports Six times a year EuroNatur Foundation sends out infor- peration with its partner organizations, and which in most document project development up to the point of the mation to its donors to keep them in touch with ongo- instances are in receipt of third-party financial support projects’ completion. ing projects and request support for concrete endeavours. (from both governmental and non-governmental sources), Similarly, support for individual projects is solicited, and EuroNatur reports back in detail to the financial backers. information provided, through the organization’s website Impact monitoring already begins at the stages of project
20 Transparency Annual Report 2014 40 Sensible giving 41 oo‘ wl ejy seil ea poeto: Dedi protection: legal special enjoys will donor‘s the and capital trust the both of inviolability The to and independently pursue itssustainably activities. EuroNatur allows This objectives. trust’s the achieve to used are which of yields the securities interest-bearing in invested are assets trust’s The EuroNatur.ascharitable such continuitytrust a for reach and of guarantor important an is Capital Capital for inEurope nature conservation A financial A financial aegis oftheEuroNaturFoundation. rectly used in the short term but is a gift that adds rectly used in the short adds term but is a gift that giving, allowing you to fulfil your wishes under the charitable for options of range a offer We trust. a through so do best can developments on influence sustainable long-term exert to wish who Those in the donor‘s wills are observed in perpetuity. served and the trust terms and purpose as specified pre is valuecapitaltrust the thatensure to trusts this is the Regierungspräsidium Freiburg – supervise thorities(Stiftungsaufsichtsbehörden) – in our case supervisoryau thebodies,state-run federal cated contrast to a donation, an endowment is not di not is endowment an donation, a to contrast In treasures. natural Europe’s of protection the for dation is a particularly sustainable form of support Photo: Mirko Sarac - Duvanjsko Polje endowment Annual Report2014 to the EuroNatur Foun to the EuroNatur - - - - - returns for EuroNatur, allowing the organization to ef to organization the allowing EuroNatur, for returns long-term higher generate capital trust the in increases as nature, Europe’s for work to continue and invested are Endowments perpetuity. in stock capital EuroNatur’s to lishing a dependent foundation foundation dependent a lishing desired, in accordance with specified criteria. criteria. specified with accordance in desired, so if and, separately administered is dependent capital A foundation’s administration. ongoing its as well as on see their gift have sustained impact, endowments can be a to like primarily who donors For meantime. the in Euros have Endowments capital. allowed this capital stock to grow to well over two million start-up in 150,000 DM with 1987 in established was EuroNatur habitats. their and birds migratory lynxes, wolves, bears, protecting on EuroNatur’sfor work basis effective and reliable a provide fectively pursue its objectives. Year after year endowments rprn te salsmn o a eedn foundati dependent a of establishment the in preparing involved responsibilities the assume conditions may certain EuroNatur Under structures. formal own their have to need not do they that in foundations dependent long term and in their own name may consider consider may name own their in and term long the in use good to assets their put to desire who Those good wayofgiftingmoneys. from “normal” foundations. However, they differ from in from differ they However, foundations. “normal” from different that all not are these Externally EuroNatur. of under the aegis aegis the under estab - - - - Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] tation pleasecontact: tation honour (named funds). funds). (named honour to wishes name founder the the memory whose indeed person another or of name, her or his carries fund the that founder the with agree can We fund. the of jectives ob the fulfil to used then are which obtained be gains capital that crucial is it that given value, a small has too not gift a such that request would We project. tection pro species specific a on or region or country certain a in work EuroNatur’s support to is aspiration the if tion, The establishment of an an of establishment The (for dependentfoundations) Markus Dressnandt, Tel: (for endowmentsandendowmentfunds) Sabine Günther, Tel: consul informal an For heritage? natural Europe’s of protection the to manner lasting a in contributing thus an with fund, named a or foundation EuroNatur dependent a endowment, support to considering you Are endowment fund fund endowment + 49/77732-9272 17 49/77732-9272 + 49/7732-9272 14 49/7732-9272 is an op an is - - - - Photo: Kerstin Sauer - Great white pelicans and great cormorants at Lake Kerkini Lake at cormorants great and pelicans white Great - Sauer Kerstin Photo:
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20 Annual Report 2014
Imprint 42 Presiding Committee: Writers: Conservation needs action – and money! President: Christel Schroeder Katharina Grund, Angie Rother, Gabriel Schwaderer Vice president: Prof. Dr. Sven Olaf Hoffmann Our successful work is built on targeted strategies, Members of the Presiding Committee: Translation: efficient methods, sound knowledge, rich practical experi- Lorenz Graf, Dr. Thomas Griese, Jörg Nitsch, Ute Bohnsack, Email: [email protected] ence and respectable partner organisations in the project Prof. Dr. Hubert Weiger, regions. But existing opportunities translate into concrete Dr. Thomas Potthast (non-voting) Photo credit: measures only with the help of our donors. Cover: Ariane Müller - Gewöhnliche Akelei Executive Director: Donations to registered charities such as EuroNatur Gabriel Schwaderer, Radolfzell Graphik design: are tax-deductible. Please help us help Europe’s nature Kerstin Sauer; EuroNatur Service GmbH and wildlife. Director of Conservation Policy: ISSN 0945-148X Lutz Ribbe, Rheinbach Printing: Donations: Imprint: Fischer Druck GmbH & Co. KG, Bank für Sozialwirtschaft Köln EuroNatur printed on 100% recycling paper IBAN DE42 3702 0500 0008 1820 05 EuroNatur Foundation SWIFT/BIC BFSWDE33XXX
Konstanzer Str. 22, D - 78315 Radolfzell Fon +49 (0)7732/92 72 0 Fax +49 (0)7732/92 72 22 The DZI (German Central Institute for Social Internet: www.euronatur.org Issues) seal of approval certifies that EuroNatur Please spread the word and help us find new supporters E-Mail: [email protected] is serious, transparent and uses donations for EuroNatur! www.facebook.com/euronatur wisely and effectively. www.euronatur.org
43 Annual Report 2014