Annual report 2018 3 Editorial 4 Our mission and mode of operation 5 Our project areas 6 European Green Belt 10 Nomads of the sky – Protecting migratory birds in Europe 14 Large mammal protection in Europe 22 Our campaigns 30 Conservation and energy policies 32 EuroNatur’s public face: Media and PR work 33 Organization and structure 34 Economic situation in the 2018 financial year ) - Kiskunsági Nemzeti Park 42 Dealing with potential risks Ardea alba 43 Transparency – one of EuroNatur’s important tenets 45 How your legacy can do good 46 EuroNatur’s project foci in 2018 50 Imprint Photo: Bruno De Lorenzo - Great White Egret ( 20 Annual Report 2018 Content 2 Photo: Kerstin Sauer Dear Friends of EuroNatur, I am haunted by the UN report on the state of nature. of the Balkan rivers; the ‚Eco-Masterplan‘ we published in This development shows us that species decline is not an The three-year assessment was produced by 145 late 2018 comprehensively pools this knowledge. We can inescapable fate. Together with our local partners we pas- scientists of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy now provide decision-makers in politics and fi nance with sionately fi ght for the protection of free-fl owing rivers, large Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services clearly documented evidence of the importance of halting mammals, migratory birds and old-growth forests. Our (IPBES) and the results of this landmark global assess- the hydropower tsunami in south-eastern Europe. The “Blue expansive network allows us to stand up to powerful foes. ment are shocking: The researchers predict that one Heart” documentary has touched people’s hearts and minds. Last year we have seen once again that Goliath can suffer in every eight species will die out over the coming Approximately 30,000 people watched the fi lm about the painful defeats at the hands of David! decades unless we radically restructure our econo- Balkan rivers last year and a huge petition calling on the mic activities. It is highly likely that some faunal international banks to stop investing in the destruction of Our achievements would be impossible without the support groups, such as corals, will almost completely vanish the Balkan rivers had many more names behind it. by our donors, funders and sponsors. I would like to take from our planet, with unforeseeable consequences this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for your for other marine wildlife and for the human race. In the 1990s, when EuroNatur commenced its efforts to pro- loyalty! On the following pages we would like to give you an tect the Mediterranean monk seal, the outlook for these ma- impression of what we have achieved together in 2018 for When we look at these nightmare scenarios, some rine mammals was very bleak. The species was on the brink the benefi t of Europe’s natural heritage. of the achievements in nature conservation appear of extinction. Together with our partners in Greece and to be nothing more than the proverbial drops in the Mauritania we started an elaborate conservation project. I trust that this report will make enjoyable and interesting ocean. But every one of these drops has the poten- Large areas have been designated as protected areas, the reading. Yours sincerely, tial to kick off positive developments. An example seals’ pupping caves are heavily guarded and fi shermen have would be the protection of Europe’s last wild and been convinced to stop killing monk seals which they regarded free-fl owing rivers: Since the commencement of as bothersome competitors. This package of measures has the “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” campaign we resulted in the gradual recovery of the Mediterranean monk have been able to signifi cantly improve the base- seal populations and the recolonization by the monk seals of Christel Schroeder line data and knowledge on the ecological value regions in the Mediterranean that they had abandoned. President of EuroNatur Foundation Annual Report 2018 Editorial 3 Photo: Gunter Willinger - Biala Reka / Bulgaria EuroNatur – Connecting nature and people We are committed to connecting nature and Our mode of operation safeguarding people in a peaceful Europe – beyond national Our efforts for the protection of plants, animals and ha- Protected areas and species must be given sustained borders. Our donors support us in this endeavour. bitats are transboundary in nature; we strengthen local effective protection. We support control measures and conservation organizations and create international net- make our demands for rigorous protection measures heard The growth-oriented way we lead our lives works between them. Together with our Europe-wide partner in national and international political institutions as well and run our economies at this point in history is network we create solutions that allow humans to live and as in the courts. Where necessary, we exert public pressure characterized by ruthless exploitation of na- work in harmony with nature. In our work we follow a on decision-makers (for example by way of protests and tural resources and has resulted in the perva- well-proven approach: media attention). sive destruction of nature as well as in drastic climate change. People all around the world knowing living are feeling the resultant adverse effects. Using reputable scientific studies, we provide evidence of We generate acceptance of the need for protection and the conservation importance and uniqueness of species, potentially associated restrictions for the local communi- Nature is the natural resource base on which landscapes and habitats and of the threats they face. ties. Together with the local people we establish ecologi- mode of operation of mode all humans depend. Species and habitat di- cally compatible land-use methods in protected habitats & versity are prerequisites of a quality environ- protecting that open up socio-economic prospects. This helps us to ment. Our aim is a European continent that We work on driving forward the formal protection of win over local people as partners for achieving our con- hosts free-flowing rivers, pristine forests and endangered species as well as of habitats and landscapes servation objectives, thus laying the groundwork for the diverse cultural landscapes and that offers of particular high ecological value. To this end we utilize long-term effectiveness of our efforts. sufficient space for wild animals and migra- national and international political structures. ting birds within these and other ecosystems. 20 Annual Report 2018 Mission Mission 4 Important project areas 1 Cantabrian Mountains (Spain) 2 Senne (Germany) Gr�nes Band Europa 3 Brandenburg (Germany) 4 Narew/Podlasie (Poland) 5 Western Beskidy Mountains (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia) 6 Bohemian Forest/Šumava (Czech Republic) 4 7 Sava Floodplains (Croatia) 3 8 Livanjsko Polje (Bosnia-Herzegovina) 2 9 Neretva Delta (Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina) 21 10 Labudovo Okno (Serbia) 5 11 Bojana-Buna and Ulcinj Salina (Montenegro, Albania) 6 1 Kantabrisches Gebirge 9 Bojana-Buna-Delta und Skutari-See 17 Kotel-Berge 12 Karavasta Lagoon (Albania) 2 Senne 10 Albanische Alpen 18 Sakar-��gelland 13 20 Albanian Alps (Albania) 3 Brandenburg 11 Korab-Gebirge & Mavrovo-Nationalpark 19 �ilos 14 4 Narew / Podlassien 12 Jablanica-Shebenik-Gebirge 20 Karpaten Munella Mountains, Korab Koritnik and Mavrovo National Park 22 67 5 Mur-Drau-Donau “Europas Amazo 13 Illinska-Plakenska-Gebirge (Albania, North Macedonia) 1 10 8 6 Save-Auen 14 Shar-Gebirge Gr�nes Band Europa 15 Jablanica-Shebenik Mountains (Albania, North Macedonia) 7 Livanjsko Polje 15 Dragoman 9 19 16 8 16 Šar Mountains (North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo) 13 16 18 Neretva-Delta Smolyan 11 14 17 Vjosa/Aoos (Albania, Greece) 12 15 17 18 Osogovo Mountains (Bulgaria, North Macedonia) 23 19 Sakar Mountains (Bulgaria) 20 Carpathian Mountains (Romania) 21 Sudetes (Poland, Czech Republic) 22 Northern Dinarides (Slovenia, Croatia, Italy) 23 European Green Belt Prespa Basin (Albania, North Macedonia, Greece) Map: Kerstin Sauer 5 Annual Report 2018 Project areas Photo: Gzim Sinani - Green Belt photo competition / Hajla Peak, Rugove Peak, Hajla / competition photo Belt Green - Sinani Gzim Photo: Transboundary nature conservation Along the former Iron Curtain we can find a The Green Belt is under threat green network of species-rich habitats the The “closed season” for nature ended however in the early Green Belt come on board. In our role as regional coordinator likes of which have become very hard to 1990s: The forests are becoming fragmented as a result of of conservation activities along the Balkan Green Belt, Eu- find in the rest of Europe. The European roadbuilding and logging, river landscapes are getting obstructed roNatur together with the local partners is developing pilot Green Belt stretches from the northernmost by hydropower plants and almost pristine mountain land- projects for the transboundary protection of valuable natural Fennoscandia southward to the Black Sea scapes are getting destroyed by ski tourism. Nature is under and cultural landscapes. and the Adriatic Sea. ever-growing pressure, especially in south-eastern Europe. During the Cold War period, wild mountain Symbolic of a peaceful Europe and river landscapes, old-growth forests It is our common responsibility to protect Europe’s longest and species-rich cultural landscapes stayed ecological network. The European Green Belt Initiative is dedi- intact in the shadows of the exclusion zone cated to this mission. Its work is carried out by people from 24 between the East and