Activity Report 2001 - 2009

CICONIA Transnational Stork Project Europe - Africa Activity Report 2001 - 2009

The Stork - a transnational Additionally storks are outstanding model ambassador for conservation organisms for environmental education of Ciconia is the scientific name of the White children, as they are easy to observe, Stork. This globe-trotter among birds mi- require a species-rich environment, and grates from its European breeding grounds illustrate the significance of international along its western route across the straits of cooperation in species and habitat conser- Gibraltar to spend the winter in North and vation through their transcontinental mi- West Africa. Many populations declined gratory life style. steeply or, as in the alpine Rhine valley, vanished completely in the 20th century. Founding of CICONIA The White Stork has been considered a Thanks to successful reintroduction efforts bird of good luck since ancient times and is by the Rhine valley stork association a welcome sight in villages today. Its habitat (Verein Rheintaler Storch), White Storks preference makes it an excellent indicator bred for the first time again since 1923 in of valuable and diverse cultural land- the Rhine valley near Kriessern in 1995. As scapes. The Black Stork - sister species to a result of this achievement, CICONIA the the White Stork - on the other hand re- transnational stork project Europe-Africa quires natural, undisturbed forests. Con- was founded in Schaan (Liechtenstein) in servation efforts targeting the White and 1997. The stork is the symbol and logo of Black Stork, thus also benefit other endan- CICONIA. gered animal and plant species as well as society through preservation of a healthy environment. This makes the White and CICONIA’s objectives Black Stork ideal flagship species to convey • Contributing to biodiversity conservation and sustainable develop- a message of nature and landscape con- ment servation. • Supporting landscape and nature conservation efforts on stork breeding and wintering grounds and along their migration routes

• Environmental education of children and young adults

• Creating, maintaining, and improving stork habitat

• Conservation of the two European stork species and their breeding grounds

1 Environmental education: a paradigm of transnational cooperation

A teaching aid focusing on White Storks was developed in Wroclav, Poland in 1998, in collaboration with Pro Natura. The brochure was well- received and has since been published in Ger- many, Slovakia, Hun- gary, Spain, and the Ukraine with know-how and financial assistance through the stork project CICONIA. The brochure was adjusted to the requirements of each country and several hundred school classes have since participated in this program.

Project sites CICONIA's influence ranges from Morocco to Romania and the Ukraine with emphasis on Spain, the alpine Rhine valley, and eastern Central Europe (South Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine).

CICONIA acts as interme- diary and initiator CICONIA primarily mediates between sponsors/patrons and projects. The organ- izational structure is kept to a minimum to optimize the cost-benefit ratio. CICONIA works mostly on a strategic- conceptual level, providing scientific advice, conceptual support to projects, and transfer of knowledge. Local partners implement the projects on-site, often with the assistance of other internationally operating conservation organizations. CICONIA guar- antees the efficient utilization of the avail- able financial resources and thus places 1. Morocco - Larache; 2. Spain - Extremadura; 3. Southern France - Camargue; 4. Liechtenstein - Bannriet/Ruggeller Riet; 5. Austria - Vorarlberg; 6. Switzerland - Rhine valley St.Gallen; 7. much emphasis on project support and on- Southwestern Hungary - Somogy region; 8. Northeastern Hungary - Aggtelek region; 9. Eastern Slovakia; 10. South Poland; 11. Slovakia - Orava region; 12. Western Ukraine; 13. Romania - site supervision. Carpathian Mountains

2 Significant achievements Project supervision Numerous accomplishments mark CICO- The environmental education project is very The projects are supervised on-site by our NIA's 13-year history, such as the first well received. CICONIA's work is progres- project coordinator Reto Zingg. This pro- successful breeding attempt of wild White sively drawing more attention to its projects vides opportunities to establish the neces- Storks in Liechtenstein in 2007. The in every region. In 2007, the Hungarian sary contacts, monitor progress, and often fledged young were the first in Liechten- government awarded the CICONIA founda- leads to new project ideas. Reto Zingg has stein after 100 years. Additionally, valuable tion the Pro Natura - medal in gold, the performed these duties largely on a volun- biotopes were preserved or newly created highest governmental distinction for nature tary basis and will increasingly be assisted in many of the project areas. conservation. by Rudolf Staub of the administrative office.

The return of the White Stork to Liechtenstein was a direct result of the project effort. Two nesting pairs The Hungarian environment minister and the are currently residing in Ruggell and Schaan. The photo shows the first White Stork fledgling in Liech- state secretary of the department of the envi- tenstein after 100 years. (Photo: Marco Nescher) ronment present Reto Zingg with the Pro Natura - medal in gold.

Structure Supporters / Sponsors The transnational stork project CICONIA is a chari- Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation table foundation based in the Principality of Liech- Arco-Foundation tenstein. The members of the foundation board Fondation Claude et Giuliana are: ILLF - International Lottery in Liechtenstein Foundation • HH Prince Christoph v.u.z. Liechtenstein, Karl Mayer Foundation Schaan (FL), chairman Lanius-Project • Andreas Zeller, Flawil (CH), former member of Governments of Liechtenstein and Vorarlberg MAVA Foundation parliament Naturschutzverein St. Gallen • Josef Biedermann, Planken (FL) pancivis - Foundation • Dr. Tobias Salathé, Givrins (CH) Schweizer Vogelschutz SVS / BirdLife Switzerland • Dr. Hans Peter Pfister, Eich (CH) Sonnenwiese Foundation Fürstlicher Kommerzienrat Guido Feger Foundation Management of the administrative office based in Propter Homines Foundation Schaan (FL): Vera Michalski-Hoffmann, Montricher • Reto Zingg, project coordinator Vogelwarte Sempach / Swiss Ornithological Institute CICONIA wishes to thank its supporters, • Rudolf Staub, acting manager without whom the numerous projects could not have been realized. The board of trustees, composed of prominent economists and politicians, supports the foundation’s activities and objectives. 3 Project Sites

Morocco - Larache Spain - Extremadura

Large wetlands still remain along the lower Environmental education projects in the course of the Loukkos river near Larache Extremadura region have been supported in northwest Morocco that represent a vital by CICONIA since the late 90s. Environmen- stop-over for countless migratory birds tal awareness was raised by means of the including many central- and northwest White Stork, excursions, and in-class les- sons. Travelling exhibitions, theater produc- tions, documentaries, and slideshows were used as complimentary teaching aids all of which originated at the environmental center in Torrejon el Rubio. The project was further improved by con-

crete species protection measures such as Modern pedagogical approaches raise the removal of plastic strings from stork nests, appeal of environmental education. which would pose a threat to the fledglings. Lastly, an extensive habitat improvement Project partner is the Fundación Global project was launched in 2007 with financial Nature, represented by the environmental support of the MAVA-foundation. education center LA DEHESA. Project expenses: 230'000 CHF. The extensive wetlands of the Loukkos’ estuary are an important stepping stone habitat for southbound migratory birds.

European White Storks. CICONIA collabo- rated with the bird conservation research group GREPOM of the University of Rabat to initiate a conservation project. From 2001 to 2002 a feasibility study on the conservation of the wetlands was carried out with special emphasis on the cultural feasibility and the needs of the local population. Subsequently, the local flora and fauna were recorded through various scientific surveys, the results of which will

form the basis of a management concept. A network of conservation areas has been established on a contractual basis with local landowners, facili- The goal of this management concept is to tating the ecological improvement of numerous wetlands. ensure long-term conservation of the wetlands, which have in the meantime been Liechtenstein placement of nesting platforms was comple- declared a RAMSAR-site. Concrete meas- mented with concrete habitat improvement ures are currently implemented. In addition The White Stork has been absent in Liechten- projects since 2001 after the Propter Homi- to this project, the Moroccan White Stork stein for roughly the past 100 years, al- nes Foundation consented their support. count was financed. though breeding pairs have began settling in New ponds were dug in the Bannriet (Schaan Local project official: Groupe de Recherche the neighboring Rhine valley of St. Gallen municipality) and habitat was improved in the pour la Protection des Oiseaux au Maroc since the 1990s. Planning and encouraging municipality of Mauren. In reward of these (GREPOM), Mohammed Aziz El Agbani stork nesting in Liechtenstein was thus an efforts the first White Stork nesting pair set- Project support: 183'000 CHF. obvious step for CICONIA. The initial tled near Ruggell, Liechtenstein in 2007.

4 CICONIA, in collaboration with the country of Liechtenstein and the Botanical- Rhine Valley of St.Gallen large-scale habitat improvement. The Zoological Society of Liechtenstein- stream bed of the main drainage ditch was Sargans-Werdenberg, is responsible for the An extensive renaturalisation effort of the expanded to provide habitat for numerous maintenance of the nesting platforms. Rheintaler Binnenkanal (inner canal of the aquatic organisms. CICONIA-foundation Subsidies: 90'000 CHF. Rhine valley) was undertaken in the munici- supported this project with 10'000 CHF. pality of Rüthi over the past years. The Moreover, CICONIA was able to procure the The Interreg-IIIA-Project «Wetlands and project successfully implemented its two key support of the MAVA Foundation amounting stork habitat between the alpine Rhine and objectives of improved flood control and to an additional 100'000 CHF. Danube river» was carried out by CICONIA and its project partners in St. Gallen, Vo- rarlberg, and Southern Germany. Interreg- IIIA is an EU program to support transnational projects. Encouraging transnational collaboration of public institutions and NGOs to improve wetland habitat in the alpine Rhine valley- Hochrhein-Lake Constance-Oberschwaben region was the primary goal of this particu- lar project. CICONIA was the Liechtenstein representative in this collaboration. Addi- tionally, the project attempted to raise environmental awareness and the need for cross-border habitat and wildlife conservation among the general public utilizing the White Stork as a flagship species. Project expenses amounted to roughly 1 mil. € of which 55'000 CHF were contrib- The Rheintaler inner canal near Rüthi (SG) has been spaciously revitalized to offer new habitat for ani- uted by Liechtenstein through the state and mals and plants as well as a recreational area for the local population. the MAVA-foundation.

Several nesting platforms have been errected in suitable habitat in Liechtenstein to encourage White Stork nesting activities. The platforms are regularly cleaned and maintained.

The mediation of CICONIA lead to the creation of a new wetland in the Liechtenstein municipality of Ruggell.

Fledgling White Storks at the Auhof-nest in Schaan, the second nest-site in Liechtenstein. (Photo: Rainer Kühnis) 5 Environmental Education low-intensity meadows. Several wet mead- Hungary - Somogy «Golya» ows were procured and will provide suitable habitat in the long-run with appropri- The project area is located in the diverse The success of the Slovakian Bocian pro- ate management policies. The Aggtelek landscape of Southern Hungary's Somogy ject paved the way for a Hungarian version National Park is the new owner of these region between Lake Balaton and the which was distributed in 2006. Project parcels and has taken up responsibility to Drava river. The extraordinary natural partner was the Aggtelek National Park. manage, maintain, and monitor them. wealth of this region is threatened by Hun- Countless schools in numerous Hungarian The project's goal is the long-term conser- gary's EU membership and the consequen- districts have since received the brochures. vation of meadows harboring rare breed- tial changes in agricultural policies. Additionally, a stork exhibition, White Stork ing bird species through purchase and The subproject Somogy, which was com- theme-days, and maintenance of nesting proper management. Land parcels covering pleted in 2009, consisted of six attuned platforms complemented the project. Pro- 38 hectares have already been secured. modules. New projects continuing this work ject costs: 28'000 CHF. Project costs: 36'000 CHF. are planned. Local project partner is the Somogy Pro- vincial Association for Nature Conservation Habitat Conservation and its subsidiary the Green Corridor Northeast Hungary Foundation. Project costs amounted to 450'000 CHF The intensification of Hungary's agriculture and were covered by the MAVA Foundation in many suitable areas, leaves other re- for nature conservation based in Mon- gions utterly unmanaged and unfarmed tricher. leading to a loss of biologically valuable

Outline of subprojects in the Somogy region:

Posters are used in a travelling exhibition to inform about the two stork species and their habitat requirements.

Newly created wetlands also benefit other rare species such as these Wood Sandpipers.

6 Slovakia - Bocian Slovakia - Orava

The environmental education project Bo- Habitat conservation and enhancement are cian has been a huge success in Slovakia supported in the Orava region at the bor- since 2001. Project partner is the depart- der of Slovakia and Poland. A long-term ment of natural science of the museum in lease was signed for a 150 hectare bog Košice, Eastern Slovakia and Dr. Miroslav woodland on the Slovakian side, ensuring Fulin is the person in charge. The depart- its conservation. This woodland has now ment has several volunteers assisting with been intensively managed to meet the the project, keeping expenses to a mini- habitat requirements of Black Storks, which mum. CICONIA supported and facilitated the included the creation of new water pools to publication of a teaching aid and the pur- attract amphibians, construction of nesting chase of technical equipment required for platforms, and maintenance of existing public relations. Additionally, CICONIA par- nests. tially covered project expenses. Several Selective habitat improvements around the Conservation-oriented activities such as removing trash hundred classes have already participated woodland were undertaken to benefit White from stork habitat reinforce environmental education taught in the classroom. in the program. White Stork theme days are Storks. realized with the help of the travelling The project was expanded to include part exhibition "Bocian a my" ("The White Stork of bordering Southern Poland in 2005. and us"), as well as project presentations, Thanks to the initiative of the CICONIA lectures, and discussions. Furthermore, Foundation conservation of White and observing wild White Storks in nature is an Black Storks and their habitat is now a important aspect of raising environmental cross-border collaboration in the Orava awareness in children. The children are region. encouraged to photograph, draw, paint, or Project partner in Slovakia: Slovak Ornitho- write about their stork observations, which logical Society - BirdLife Slovakia in coop- are then displayed in various towns and eration with the Ornithological Club of the possibly awarded prizes. Orava-Museum. Person in charge: Dr. Project support: 40'000 CHF. Dušan Karaska. Project support: 80'000 CHF. The extensive Slovakian forests still provide suitable nesting habitat for the Black Stork.

Regularly occupied White Stork nests can attain impressive size and weight over the years.

The White Stork is a popular subject of environmental education of children making it an ideal flagship species.

7 the teaching aid and assists with further CICONIA covered the start-up costs of this Ukraine project expenses. project. Project partner: Conservation A second project consists of determining Carpathia Foundation CICONIA's environmental education project White and Black Stork population numbers was adopted in the Western Ukraine in and subsequently initiating the necessary 2005 and is now widely utilized by local conservation measures. A brochure outlin- schools. CICONIA financed the publishing of ing methods to reduce White Stork fatalities on power poles has already been published. Project partner: Western Ukrainian Ornitho- logical Society (WUOS, Lviv), person in charge: Andriy Bokotey Project support: 25'000 CHF.

Romania

CICONIA is now also involved with a forest preservation project in the Carpathian mountains. Central aim is the creation of a large-scale wilderness area. An environmental education project with unique teach- The environmental education program has ing aids for schools has also been The initial environmental conditions in the been adapted, with help of CICONIA, to Carpathian Mountains of Romania are favorable for meet Ukrainian requirements. launched. the establishment of a wilderness-national park.

Financial review Prospect CICONIA is determined to continue to support all programs at the established Invested project support project sites for the long-term, while focusing especially on the Eastern Euro- 2001-2009 in CHF pean sites. A significant advantage of this region is the high return of a rela- tively low resource input. Additionally the recent accedence of these countries to Morocco 183’000 the EU resulted in modified agricultural and forestry policies. While this change Spain 230’000 represents a possible threat to the current natural treasures it is also a chance Liechtenstein 170’000 to be used for conservation efforts. CICONIA intends to lead the way forward and Switzerland 180’000 support pioneering projects. The prospering collaboration of CICONIA with other Austria (Vorarlberg) 25’000 internationally acting conservation organizations is to be expanded and their Hungary 514’000 synergies exploited for an effective conservation efforts. Slovakia 120’000 Ukraine 25’000 Poland 40’000 Total 1’487’000 IMPRINT Overall administrative expenses of CI- Administrative ofﬁce: Im Bretscha 22, FL-9494 Schaan CONIA’s administrative office and project Phone: +423 232 48 19 support, including supervision, initiation, e-mail: [email protected] financial support, and knowledge transfer, Internet: www.ciconia.li amount to roughly 14% of project funding. Bank details: Stiftung CICONIA IBAN: LI37 0880 5502 9681 1001 4 (CHF) IBAN: LI53 0880 5502 9681 1001 7 (€uro) Printed on 100% recycled paper