Our Actions

European River Restoration Conference

The 5th European River Restoration Conference will be held from 11-13 September 2013 in Vienna, Austria. Join Wetlands International and our partners in European river restoration us as we showcase inspiring examples of river restoration and bring together key policy makers and restoration practitioners to share and learn about the successes, challenges and opportunities for river restoration in Europe.

Waterbird Population Estimates Database

The Waterbird Population Estimates (WPE) online database provides current and historic estimates, trends and 1% thresholds for over 800 waterbird species and 2300 biogeographic populations worldwide. This project has been developed by Wetlands International with the support of Environment Canada and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Visit the Waterbird Population Estimates Database

The Critical Site Network Tool

 The Critical Site Network (CSN) Tool is an award winning online resource that provides information on 294 waterbird species and the important wetlands upon which they depend in Africa and Western Eurasia. This tool provides users with direct access to both International Waterbird Census and Important Bird Area counts, as well as a range of analytical and explorative tools.  

Towards integrating wetland biodiversity conservation with water and agricultural management in Ukraine. A pilot project in the South Bug River Basin

The goal of this project is to develop the foundations for integrating wetland biodiversity conservation into water related sectoral policies in Ukraine based on ecological network development and civil society engagement in a pilot project in the South Bug River Basin.

Western Paleartic and West-Asian Waterbird Census

The Western Paleartic and West Asian Waterbird Cencus is the waterbird monitoring programme for Europe, West Asia and North Africa. A total of 20 to 25 million waterbirds are counted each season by thousands of volunteers, working through national organisations. Wetlands International produces International overview reports. See the publication section for this.

New FluBird Project (NFB)

Wetlands International is the co-coordinator  to this project with Erasmus University and 10 other partners throughout Europe. The NFB project aims at setting a Network for Early Warning of Influenza viruses in migratory birds in Europe. Our role is to provide data and expertise on high risk bird species, coordinate surveillance in high risk sites and build capacity for monitoring waterbirds.

Black Sea Regional Initiative: establishing the foundations for the launch of a Black Sea Regional Initiative for the wise use of coastal wetlands (BlackSeaWet)

This project aims to enhance the conservation and sustainable development of the Black Sea coastal wetlands. It will establish the foundations for a regional wetlands initiative that will underpin future wetland conservation efforts.

Dnipro river corridor in Ukraine: raising public awareness and promoting participatory approach to biodiversity conservation and ecological network development

Increased awareness on ecological networks and biodiversity conservation among governmental bodies, NGOs, schools is contributing towards the establishment of the Dnipro eco-corridor.

Indicative map for South Bug meridional river corridor

The development of the ecological network in Ukraine has been enhanced by focusing on the Southern Boug meridional river corridor. A map on GIS basis and a poster has been prepared.

Project was financed by the Royal Netherlands Embassy in the Ukraine.

Publication:

The Southern Bug meridional river corridor: biodiversity and valuable areas

Support to the Establishment of the Integrated Management Approach for the Sivash, Ukraine

The basis for the establishment of an integrated management system for the entire Sivash ecosystem for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and their resources was established.

Towards improved water Management in Ukraine (Watermuk)

This project aimed to reveal the current state and the perspectives of irrigational farming in Ukraine regarding the impact on biodiversity. We did this through the study of biodiversity in the Dzhankoi District of the Crimean Autonomous Republic, an area with large scale irrigation.

Public participation in conservation and sustainable use of Small Rivers in Ukraine; support for the River Network in Ukraine

The capacity to undertake small river conservation work in Ukraine was developed. A series of conservation actions by small NGOs throughout Ukraine were developed and implemented by members of the Ukrainian Rivers network. Project was financed by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.

Small rivers of Ukraine: public participation in their conservation and sustainable use

Wetlands International established an NGO Association called the “Ukrainian Rivers Network” (URN) to support and advocate better conservation and sustainable development of small rivers and streams throughout Ukraine.

Development of a National Wetland Strategy and Action Plan for Ukraine

A National Strategy and Action Plan including strategic planning policies for integrated and inter-sectoral conservation, restoration and wise-use of wetlands and wetland resources in Ukraine was agreed and drafted. The national wetland directory was updated and amended. This is now awaiting formal endorsement by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Ukrainian.

Wetlands biodiversity conservation in Ukrainian agricultural lands

Wetlands International organised a conference involving participants from the agriculture, water and environment sectors. Practical guidelines on biodiversity conservation in agricultural lands were published.

The importance of Black Sea coastal wetlands, in particular for migratory waterbirds

The needs and priorities for the conservation, restoration and wise-use of wetlands along the Black Sea coast were identified to act as a basis to guide future wetland conservation planning and management activities in the region.

Support for the conservation of wetlands and wetland species in the Azov-Black Sea region of Ukraine

The capacity of Ukraine to fulfil its obligations under the Ramsar Convention and to facilitate its accession to the Bonn Convention and African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement was strengthened.

Wings over Wetlands (WoW)

This project aims to improve the conservation status of African-Eurasian migratory waterbirds by assisting countries to conserve key wetland areas. The project takes place in 118 Asian, European and African countries along the African Eurasian Flyway.

In this region, we have identified the critical network of wetland sites (for a total of 3,020 sites) for migratory waterbirds.

We train people and raise awareness about the conservation and wise use of migratory waterbirds and the wetlands they use. Demonstration projects are implemented to provide good examples.