Creation of a Programme on Pan-European Ecological Network
In Northern Eurasia.
Pilot phase.
1. Project name.
Creation of a Programme on Pan-European Ecological Network In Northern
Eurasia. Pilot phase.
2. Project Objective.
To establish the Working Group and Programme for Pan-European Ecological
Network in Northeast Eurasia in order to facilitate establishment of Pan-European
Ecological Network from the East.
3. Main activities.
The project is leading by Biodiversity Conservation Centre (BCC) in co-ordination
with CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Intergovernmental Ecological Council
and governmental conservation agencies, Global Environmental Facility
(GEF), IUCN European Programme.
I. BCC put in place the Working Group for the Ecological Network
in Northern Eurasia (NEWG) under auspices of the Council of Europe Committee
of Experts for the Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN) with a financial
contribution from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs through IUCN
European Programme. NEWG compiled first info package to inform conservation
professionals about PEEN concept and perspective and invite them to take
part in NEWG activities.
II. NEWG disseminated first information package to potentially interested
conservationists and organisations in Northern Eurasia (more than 2000
addresses) by e-mail and posting as well as by publishing:
in BCC “Information Bulletin for Nature Reserves and National Parks”
¹ 21 (about 1500 copies);
in Kiev Centre for Environment and Culture Information Bulletin “Biodiversity
Conservation and Nature Reserves in Ukraine” ¹ 3/97 (500 copies);
in “Eco-Accord” Centre Information Bulletin “Road to Aarhus” ¹ 1-2/97
(about 500 copies).
III. NEWG also presented and disseminated first information package
and some other materials, discussed priority aspects of ecological networks
establishment with conservation professionals, decision-makers and activists
to reach the common platform during following meetings of experts:
The RF-USA Workshop on public participation in PEEN establishment
(Ryazan, July 1997)
GEF Baikal Workshop attended by GEF Chair (Irkutsk, September 1997)
GEF Training Workshop for NGOs (Moscow, September 1997),
The Session of non-governmental Expert Committee for Biodiversity
Conservation in the Eastern Europe and Northern Asia (B-12) (Nahabino,
September 1997),
EuroMAB VI Conference (Minsk, September 1997),
World Forum for Sustainable Forestry with participation of CIS Inter-Parliamentary
Assembly (St.-Petersburg, September 1997),
Socio-Ecological Union Conference (Karaganda, September 1997),
Session of CIS Intergovernmental Ecological Council (Kishineu, October
1997),
Professional workshop “Establishment of the Protected Areas System
in Belgorod region” (Borissovka, October 1997),
NGO Regional Meeting “Volga river Days” (Nizhni Novgorod, October
1997),
Professional workshop on “Hot spots” in the Far East (Far East region,
November 1997),
NE Branch of IUCN WCPA Workshop (Kiev, December 1997).
IV. NEWG summarised input from experts and participating organizations
as the resulting report “Prerequisitions and Perspectives of establishment
of the Ecological Network in Northern Eurasia” including:
Draft overview of existing prerequisites, activities and concepts
in ecological Network establishment;
Legal base of the land-use regulations corresponding to the Establishment
of the ECONET
List of main Protected Areas in Northern Eurasia;
List of active ecological networks-related projects in the region;
List of experts, institutions and other sources of expertise and information
on ecological networks in Northern Eurasia;
Preliminary Programme Framework and Action Plan for PEEN establishment
in Northern Eurasia.
V. NEWG compiled and issued:
information booklet (in English) about PEEN and NGO activities in
this field.
first info package including:
Info letter ¹ 1;
“Information materials on ECONET” ¹ 1 to inform conservation
professionals about PEEN concept and perspective;
Questionnaire to get response from interested experts.
second info package including:
Info letter ¹ 2;
“Information materials on ECONET” ¹ 2 in Russian to inform
conservation professionals about latest developments concerning PEEN;
Draft of pilot phase results (2nd Draft of the Framework
Programme of the Establishment of the Ecological Network in Northern
Eurasia and corresponding Action Plan) to involve experts to refine
them.
special information package for CIS governmental agencies to provide
an active participation of CIS governmental agencies in PEEN process
including:
Info letter ¹ 1a;
selected articles from “Information materials on ECONET” ¹ 1
and ¹ 2;
Draft of pilot phase results (3rd Draft of the Framework
Programme of the Establishment of the Ecological Network in Northern
Eurasia and corresponding Action Plan).
Guidelines “Criteria and methods of establishment of Ecological Network”
¹ 1 (in Russian - “Êðèòåðèè è ìåòîäû ôîðìèðîâàíèÿ ýêîëîãè÷åñêîé ñåòè
ïðèðîäíûõ òåððèòîðèé”- Âûï. 1) (200 copies)
A brochure “Prerequisitions and Perspectives of establishment of the
Ecological Network in Northern Eurasia” (in Russian - “Ïðåäïîñûëêè è
ïåðñïåêòèâû ôîðìèðîâàíèÿ ýêîëîãè÷åñêîé ñåòè Ñåâåðíîé Åâðàçèè” / “Îõðàíà
æèâîé ïðèðîäû” - Âûï. 1 (9) (600 copies) with a collection of articles
on ecological networks development case-studies and overviews to be
disseminated among conservation officials and NGOs in CIS experts and
agencies in Central and Western Europe
A brochure “Ecological Networks in Northern Eurasia” (in English)
(200 copies).
+ NEWG also published a brochure with a collection of articles on establishment
of the ecological network in the Central Russian plain - the result of
the 2nd Workshop on the Programme “Heart of Russia” (in Russian
- “Ôîðìèðîâàíèå ýêîëîãè÷åñêîé ñåòè â Öåíòðå Ðóññêîé ðàâíèíû”) (300 copies)*
VI. NEWG presented the results of its conservation researches
and suggestions on further development of the establishment of ECONET
in professional workshop and conservation meeting and conferences:
Workshop of the Council of Europe Committee of Experts for setting
up the Emerald Network of areas of special conservation interest (Strasbourg,
October 1997),
Meeting of the Bureau of the Committee of Experts for the Pan-European
Ecological Network (Strasbourg, October 1997),
NGO Strategy Meeting (Lake Bled, November 1997),
NE Regional IUCN Member Meeting (Almaty, November 1997),
“From Islands to Networks” Conference (Albany, November 1997);
Meeting of Taiga Rescue Network experts (Stockholm, November 1997)
- D. Aksenov presented information booklet about PEEN and NGO activities
in this field in Northern Eurasia,
Professional international workshop on Establishment of the Polish
ECONET (Warsaw, December 1997) - NEWG presented the information on the
current state of involvement of experts in ECONET establishment
in Russia (N. Sobolev)
in Belorussia (Z. Muraviov).
“The Green Backbone of Central and Eastern Europe” Conference (Krakow,
February 1998)
In the context of the preparation of the Conference NEWG:
discussed the Conference with Organising Committee and recommended
some additions to the List of persons invited to the Conference;
invited about 40 experts to discuss the Conference materials;
made comments and remarks on draft presentations of some Conference
participants (by their requests).
At the Conference NEWG presented:
oral presentations:
E. Simonov. Working with international financial instruments,
in particular GEF
E. Shvarts. Scientific and social prerequisites in ECONET establishment
in CIS
posters:
N. Sobolev, E. Simonov, E. Shvarts. Ecological Network
in Northern Eurasia: first results and Action Plan.
N. Sobolev, A. Blagovidov, M. Kazakova, B. Rousseau,
L. Volkova. "Heart of Russia" Programme: The ECONET of the Central
Russian Plain.
J. Gorelova, I. Kuleshova. PESBLD: Vision from the East
I. Chebakova. March for Parks: ECONET Days in Northern Eurasia
several motions at the thematic sessions.
propositions for Krakow Declaration:
to base ECONET establishment on the biogeographic approach
to stress the importance of local NGO activities in ECONET establishment
“Establishment of the regional ECONET for sustainable development” professional
workshop for conservation and forest agencies of the RF regions (Golitsyno,
May 1998) - NEWG presented:
lectures:
N. Sobolev. International experiences in establishment and
support of ECONET.
N. Sobolev. Principles and methods of the establishment of
the ECONET.
issues:
Guidelines “Criteria and methods of establishment of Ecological
Network” ¹1
“Information materials on ECONET” ¹ 2
Professional workshop on Establishment of the National ECONET in CEE
Countries (Konstancin-Jeziorna, May 1998).
ECOForum Conference (Aarhus, June 1998) - NEWG organised:
“Public participation in establishment of ECONET” round table;
“Living on the Green East” exhibition on public participation and
support of the ecological network.
IV European Ministerial Environmental Conference (Aarhus, June 1998).
·Session of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Bishkek, August 1998)
- NEWG presented comments on draft model CIS Forest Code
Workshop of the Council of Europe Committee of Experts for setting up
the Emerald Network of areas of special conservation interest (Strasbourg,
September 1998),
Workshop of the Council of Europe Committee of Experts for the Pan-European
Ecological Network (Strasbourg, October 1998).
VII. Bibliography and library on domestic and world-wide experience with
ecological networks and related issues is developed. It is available to
experts and interested users in BCC office.
4. Main outputs.
NEWG got contact with more than 100 conservationists in all the CIS
countries, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and some other countries of the
Europe - this provides a good opportunity for realising further NEWG
activities;
The framework programme and Action plan on establishment of the Ecological
Network in Northern Eurasia are compiled;
Library (651 units) on experience with ecological networks and related
issues is available to users;
The Bureau of the Council of and Europe Committee of Experts for the
Pan-European Ecological Network as well as NE Regional IUCN Member Meeting
approved the creation of the NEWG and its starting activities;
CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly accredited BCC under Committee on
Ecology and Committee on Regional Policies (BCC compiled and presented
in CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly comments on draft model CIS Forest
Code);
The Committee on Ecology of Russian Parliaments asked NEWG experts
to suggests the corrections to the Federal Law “On the Protected Natural
Areas” (in work).
Several issues are distributed among experts:
Information booklet (in English) about PEEN and NGO activities in
this field.
“Information materials on ECONET” ¹ 1
“Information materials on ECONET” ¹ 2
“Information materials on ECONET”, special issue
Guidelines “Criteria and methods of establishment of Ecological
Network” ¹ 1 (in Russian - “Êðèòåðèè è ìåòîäû ôîðìèðîâàíèÿ ýêîëîãè÷åñêîé
ñåòè ïðèðîäíûõ òåððèòîðèé”- Âûï. 1) (200 copies).
A brochure “Prerequisitions and Perspectives of establishment of
the Ecological Network in Northern Eurasia” (in Russian - “Ïðåäïîñûëêè
è ïåðñïåêòèâû ôîðìèðîâàíèÿ ýêîëîãè÷åñêîé ñåòè Ñåâåðíîé Åâðàçèè” /
“Îõðàíà æèâîé ïðèðîäû” - Âûï. 1 (9) (600 copies)
A brochure “Ecological Networks in Northern Eurasia” (in English)
(200 copies).
A brochure with a collection of articles on establishment of the
ecological network in the Central Russian plain - the result of the
2nd Workshop on the Programme “Heart of Russia” (in Russian
- “Ôîðìèðîâàíèå ýêîëîãè÷åñêîé ñåòè â Öåíòðå Ðóññêîé ðàâíèíû”) (300
copies)
The first phases of several model projects was implemented:
Professional workshop on Establishment and Management of the Protected
Areas System in the Central Russian plain (Moscow, November 1997) was
organised in co-operation with All-Russian Society for Nature Conservation
and several other NGOs (see Resolution)
the draft of the ecological network of the Central Russian plain was
designed
the conception of the ecological network of the Volga basin was compiled;
the course of wild nature conservation for Ryazan university has been
started;
the Ecocentre in Kassimov and young conservation group in Zhelannoye
were organised within the Ryazan regional network of public support
of the ECONET.
5. Lessons learned.
The delay of the presentation of the project outputs shows us the necessity
of the better correspondence between the financial support and the goals
we would like to reach.
6. Follow-up.
Dissemination of the information about PEEN as well as the methods
of establishment of ECONET:
Russian Centre for ecological policies reedited the brochure “Prerequisitions
and Perspectives of establishment of the Ecological Network in Northern
Eurasia” for dissemination during the National CBD Forum;
BCC reedited Guidelines “Criteria and methods of establishment of
Ecological Network” ¹ 1 for dissemination among officials and activists;
Now we compile Guidelines “Criteria and methods of establishment of
Ecological Network” ¹2;
IUCN Russian office and Russian Programme Office of Wordwide Fund
for Nature begin the preparation of Guidelines of the establishment
of the ecological network in Northeast Eurasia at the whole.
Design of ECONET:
The folowing regional ecological networks should be planed in 1999 –
2000:
