1-Feb-16 Linking Local Actors 269-SPANC-v2 Approach: New sources of jobs Target publics: • Ethnic minorities • Unemployed Themes: • Community participation • Culture and tourism • Environment • Rural areas Employment and nature conservation go hand-in-hand in the wetlands of southwest Hungary Preserving species – creating jobs Founded in 1980 as a traditional conservation organisation, SPANC has evolved into a complex sustainable development programme involving land acquisition, habitat management and protection, job training, preservation of historic buildings and traditions, education and ecotourism. Its sustainable farming and visitor services support 15 much-needed jobs. Somogy is a sparsely-populated county of some 330,000 people in the southwest of Hungary, to the south of Lake Balaton. Its diverse landscape, a mix of oak forests, alder swamps, ponds, sandy grasslands and woody pasture, provides habitats for many endangered species of plants and animals. Its ponds and swamps provide a habitat for waterfowl, and form the westernmost breeding area of the ferruginous duck. The biggest Hungarian pond tortoise populations can be found here. Nearby, rare white-tailed eagles (Haliaetus albicilla) and black storks (Ciconia nigra) nest. Otters, bee-eaters and many flowers such as snow-flakes, yellow day lilies, Siberian irises and black pasqueflowers (Pulsatilla pratensis nigricans) can also be found. In 1980, the Somogy Provincial Association for Nature Conservation (SPANC) was founded to conserve the area’s natural heritage, and more specifically to protect species such as the European otter and the white-tailed eagle. This required the threatened species’ habitats to be protected, not just as separate tiles in a mosaic, but as a whole chain of habitats. This has gradually led to SPANC undertaking the sustainable development of the whole region, encompassing thousands of hectares extending from south of Lake Balaton to the River Dráva. International interest in Somogy Following the political, economical and social changes of the 1970s, the Hungarian government agreed in 1974 to the establishment of the country’s first conservation NGO, the Hungarian Ornithological Society. Its popularity quickly grew, and in 1980 a local group was founded in Somogy County. A turning point came when, as a result of research on wetlands, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) decided to hold its conference on otter conservation in Kaposvár, the county town, and the Somogy group of the Hungarian Ornithological Society was one of the hosts. One of the conclusions of the conference was that the otter population of Somogy was of key importance for the species’ survival, and the government and NGOs should work together to ensure its protection. Parallel with the otter protection activity, SPANC developed a ‘Black Stork and White- tailed Eagle Protection Programme’. From the beginning, one of the most important tasks was to protect the breeding sites of birds and other animals threatened by extinction in Europe. Artificial nests were constructed to encourage these endangered species to breed. As time went on, the association realised that the only way to protect breeding sites from invasive agriculture was to buy them. And it became obvious that without the support of the local villagers no successful conservation work could be carried out. In order to secure their support, SPANC knew it would have to demonstrate the value of its work as a farmer and employer. The association turns landowner In 1989, as a necessary first step, the group registered as an independent legal entity – Somogy Provincial Association for Nature Conservation. Later in the year, with the help of the Austrian WWF, the Swiss Ornithological Society, Euronatur and the Ministry of Environment and Water Policy, the association was able to buy the 180 hectares of fishponds in the valley of the Boronka Creek. SPANC was the first organisation in Hungary to buy land for nature conservation purposes, so that practical conservation work could be performed. With the purchase, the protection of some very important habitats – the fishponds between Nagybajom and Mesztegnyő – became possible. Then in 1991 the Boronka Landscape Protection Area was established and, in another first for Hungary, the ministry gave the association the task of managing it for conservation. The association contacted the local authorities of the surrounding villages and explained the economic potential of ecotourism in the area. As a result a union of the villages surrounding the Landscape Protection Area was formed under the name of ‘Bridge over Boronka’. This was the start of the Somogy Wild Water Programme. The Boronka Landscape Protection Area now covers 8,000 hectares. SPANC showed good political judgement, and survived political changes. In 1993, during the privatisation of state property, and again with significant help from foreign partner organisations and individuals, the organisation bought another 300 hectares or so of ponds in Mike, Petesmalom and Csokonyavisonta. By buying land during the process of privatisation, SPANC became the owner of the most significant wetland areas in Inner Somogy that connect Lake Balaton with the Dráva River. This chain of habitats functions as an ecological corridor between the two basins, providing the flow of genetic information needed to sustain biological diversity. The association spoke up against the construction of a barrage and pleaded for the establishment of a Croatian-Hungarian National Park, and was successful in its lobbying. Fish, cattle and cultural heritage Inner Somogy is an economically disadvantaged region, with high unemployment, including many gypsies. The association created new jobs by started fish farming, the grazing of rare breeds of domestic animals and the operation of the central office. It also developed plans for ecotourism and rural development to provide additional income for local families. 2 269-SPANC-v2 The fish farming is extensive, and yields up to 300 kilograms of fish per hectare. The income generated is used to cover the management expenses and otherwise reinvested into nature conservation. This project illustrates that fish farming and nature conservation are not necessarily in conflict. By using nature-friendly fish farming practices, the association can manage the ponds for nature conservation and protect the habitats. Furthermore, it is able to offer work to local inhabitants and provide the local markets with healthy fish. In 1996, to manage the meadows around Somogyfajsz that are the last remnants of the Hungarian acid sandy grasslands, SPANC bought nine Hungarian grey cattle, an ancient domestic breed of cattle, and started its programme with them and their calves. By 2005, the herd had multiplied to 99. SPANC has also rescued three historic buildings from dereliction: the manor-house of Somogyfajsz which was built in 1872, a 200-year-old school building in Somogyfajsz, and a century-old school building in Csokonyavisonta. The colourful life of a herdsman has generated a rich culture of traditions and art. SPANC works to preserve the cultural heritage, and thereby also provide its guests with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the traditional shepherds’ way of life. Sustainability means job creation In order to share and gain experience on site conservation and management, the association organises international conferences on agriculture, nature conservation, ecotourism and other topics, as well as workcamps for volunteers from abroad. In parallel, by involving local people in managing the SPANC sites, the organisation has become a significant employer in the area. The natural values of its reserves, the diversity of species, the country itself, and the extensive, traditional farming offer unique programmes for the visitors. SPANC teaches visitors the values of nature as well as conservation management practices. It thus enhances its guests' knowledge of nature and nature conservation and gives them a closer understanding of the ecological problems humans cause. The jobs it creates are important for local people, as the county of Somogy is one of the least populated parts of Hungary and from an economic standpoint is a very poor and disadvantaged region. In Somogyfajsz, 28% of the able-bodied population is unemployed. Given the fact that most of the local population is unskilled, in 1996 SPANC started the “Gypsies as land managers” project, supported by the PHARE-LIEN programme. The project had two objectives: • sustainable land use • improved integration of an ethnic group (gypsies) into society Through the extensive management of the fishponds owned by the organisation, the project created new and permanent jobs for gypsies and other economically deprived families. The project has reduced the gypsies’ social isolation and improved their economic situation. The nearly 500 hectares of fishponds provide work for 15 people, while conservation and livestock management jobs on the 250 hectares of grazing land also require a steady workforce. Today there are 25 families in the area, who earn their living while helping to protect nature. The development of introduction spaces and hosting centres will create further jobs. The task for the very near future is to find the financial assets necessary to develop the infrastructure. All the association’s properties belong to the NATURA 2000 network. After the finalisation of the development projects, farming and ecotourism will make the operation totally self-sustaining. SPANC