CAUCASIAN BLACK GROUSE ACTION PLANNING WORKSHOP

Caucasian Black Grouse National Species Action Planning workshop took place in the Ministry of Environment of Georgia on December 12, 2005. GCCW has presented the results of studies conducted during 2004-2005, and the draft of National Species Action Plan developed based on these studies. The developed \"Problem Tree\", major threats and proposed activities was discussed in details. The home work was given to workshop participants to prioritize the activities according to criteria presented during the workshop. More info on Caucasian Black Grouse project

CHOROKHI DELTA MANAGEMENT PLAN

GCCW has developed the management guidelines for new protected area \"Chorokhi Delta\" based on contract with the government of Autonomous Republic of Adjara (The Department of Environment Protection and Natural Resources). The planned protected area contains nationally and internationally important biodiversity, including rare and endangered plants and birds. The area is also one of the Important Bird Areas of Georgia.

GCCW ? BIRDLIFE PARTNER DESIGNATE FOR GEORGIA

BirdLife International Global Council, at its meeting on the 2nd November 2005, approved the recommendation that the Georgian Center for the Conservation of Wildlife should become the BirdLife Partner Designate for Georgia. The upgrade of status within BirdLife Network is the recognition of GCCW development during recent years and is a great honor for GCCW staff, board, members and partners. This became possible because of tremendous enthusiasm, high expertise and very important work conducted by all individuals and institutions associated to GCCW name. We would like to congratulate everybody with this news, and wish much success in our conservation work. More info on BirdLife International

BIRDS OF GEORGIA ? FIELD GUIDE FOR RESOURCE MANAGERS AND USERS

New book is produced by GCCW and Buneba Print Publishing ? Birds of Georgia: field guide for natural resources managers and users. The book describes game birds and similar species (totally 82 bird species), and is designed to assist newly created environmental inspectorate and hunters to identify this species in the field. The book is produced within the project ?Caucasian Black Grouse research, monitoring and conservation management in Georgia? that is part of the Environmental Investment Program (EIP) that is initiated and funded by BP and its partner companies in Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil export pipeline and South Caucasus (SCP) gas pipeline projects. More info on this project

CBG ACTION PLANNING IN TURKEY

Caucasian Black Grouse National Species Action Planning workshop took place in Ankara, Turkey on November 14-16, 2005 organized by the Doga Dernegi (BirdLife affiliate in Turkey). Ramaz Gokhelashvili, a director of GCCW, has participated in this workshop and presented information on similar activities in Georgia. More info on this project in Turkey

CAUCASUS IBA WORKSHOP AND TRAINING IN TBILISI

Caucasus IBA workshop and training took place in Tbilisi on October 18-19, 2005. The international project was launched - Development of IBA Caretaker Network in the Priority Corridors, that is funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF). The project will contribute to the long-term goal of improving the conservation condition, at 31 sites of the Caucasus, for globally threatened species by improving the capacity of the civil society to contribute to their protection and carry out, or contribute to, the development and implementation of management plans. The project is managed and directed from the European Division Office of BirdLife International based in Wageningen (NL), but brings in the necessary wider expertise of the Global Secretariat in Cambridge (UK) and from any of the 100 Partners across the globe. The project partners are: Georgian Center for the Conservation of Wildlife (GCCW), Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds (ASPB), Azerbaijan Ornithological Society (AOS), Doğa Derneği (DD, Turkey), and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB, UK)

A BIRDWATCHING GUIDE TO GEORGIA - NOW AVAILABLE

New book is produced by GCCW and Buneba Print Publishing - A Birdwatching Guide to Georgia. The book describes 28 sites providing information on geography, climate, habitats, birds species, other wildlife, other tourist attractions, best time to visit, getting there and available infrastructure. Each site contains the detailed map and high quality color illustrations.

VULTURES OF GEORGIA AND CAUCASUS - NEW BOOK

GCCW and Buneba Print Publishing produced new book - Vultures of Georgia and Caucasus by Lexo Gavashelishvili. The book describes conservation research methods and results conducted during last 10 years in Georgia and other countries of the Caucasus region. It contains 13 maps, 5 graphics and 110 color photos with brief explanatory text for each. Order online

GCCW AT INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

GCCW has participated in the 11th International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, June 16 ? 19 2005 that took place in Östersund, Sweden. Ramaz Gokhelashvili, a director of GCCW, has made presentation ? Birdwatching Development in Georgia: Resources, Challenges and Potential Conservation and Socio?Economical Benefits. More info about the Symposium

A NEW REGIONAL NEWSPAPER IN KAKHETI: “BUNEBA XXI SAUKUNESHI“ (“NATURE IN XXI“)

GCCW and its regional associated member organization ? Society of Nature Friends (Kakheti) jointly commenced to publish an official monthly paper on nature conservation in Kakhety region in Georgian language. The official presentation of the fist issue took place in Telavi on 19 May, 2005. The objective of such publication is to raise nature protecting awareness; to mobilize an opinion of local community for influencing decision makers and for better advocacy of their own natural resources. The paper will be spread throughout the region.

AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ?BIRDS AROUND US?

In May, 2005 GCCW has initiated a new public awareness and educational campaign named ?Birds around us?. Campaign is a continuation of ongoing educational activities, but in wider scale in terms of mass participating and their engagement. Campaign focuses on public?s inspiration toward the natural wonders ? surrounding birds. Several projects are planned to implement these task: 1. Feeders installation in the city parks of Tbilisi and in one of the pilot regional city; 2. free birding trips for school children; 3. Garden Birdwatching.

JOURNALISTIC AWARD “BUDE“

This year GCCW has launched an annual media campaign for journalists ? Award ?BUDE?. The authors of 3 best media release on the theme of ?green? environment, broadcasted during 2005 in radio, TV, and printed press, will receive a special monetary award from GCCW. The aim of the campaign is to stimulate the fields that media representatives almost do not touch: the nature and natural resources of Georgia.

7TH INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR

Expo Georgia has hosted the 7th International Tourism Fair of The Silk Road Countries in Georgia ? CTF 2005. GCCW and its daughter tour Operator Company ? Caucasus Birding ltd ? has presented its products and services. Tourism is a priority for the economy of Georgia. The exhibition was dedicated to the promotion of tourism products of the Silk Road countries. Major local tour operators were presented from Georgia, Armenia and other neighboring counties with information on their services and activities.

NHBS ? OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTOR OF GCCW BOOKS

The agreement is signed with Natural History Book Service (NHBS) on worldwide distribution of GCCW produced books. NHBS is one of the largest distributors of environmental books, and the latest book ?Raptors and Owls of Georgia? is declared as one of the ?Books of the Month?.

NGO FAIR IN GEORGIA

The Expo Georgia hosted the first Civil Society Organization (CSO) Fair in Georgia during April 2?3. GCCW has presented its products in this event.

WINTERING WATER BIRD AND RAPTOR COUNTS AND MONITORING OF HUNTING PRESSURE IN KOLKHETI NATIONAL PARK

Another water bird and raptor census were carried out in Kolkheti National Park and its adjacent territories on 15?22 march, 2005, based on a contract with ICZM Centre.

About 13 800 birds of different species (mainly Anas and Podiceps sp.) were counted at Paliastomi lake and at segment of Black Sea coast (among rivers Churia and Khobi). Besides the species that were observed during the winter counts conducted in January 2005, several additional different species has documented during this spring census: Pintail, Shoveler, Shelduck, White? fronted goose, and Ruff. These birds can be observed in Kolkheti National Park during migrations.

EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ? BLACK GROUSE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES

European Conference ? ?Black Grouse an Endangered Species? took place on March 20?25 in Ruthin, North Wales, UK. Ramaz Gokhelashvili and Zura Javakhishvili have attended this conference and presented paper ? Caucasian Black Grouse Research, Monitoring and Conservation Management in Georgia.

RAPTORS AND OWLS OF GEORGIA GUIDE-BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE

The first comprehensive field guide to all raptors and owls recorded in Georgia, is published by GCCW and Buneba Print Publishing describing 45 species. 447 color illustrations (by Rafael Antonio Galvez) are provided depicting plumage variation for each species according to age, sex, and race, including behavior and habitat compositions pertinent to the region. Also, accurate and practical information is provided on identification (color maps), behavior, confusing species, habitat, food source, nesting and population status of each species. Order the book online

RAPTORS AND OWLS OF GEORGIA ? 8 POSTERS ARE PRINTED

Eight exclusive posters are printed based on the illustrations from the book ?Raptors and Owls of Georgia?: 1. Vultures, 2. Owls, 3. Imperial Eagle, 4. Golden Eagle, 5. Lammergeier, 6. Egyptian Vulture, 7. Western March?Harrier, and 8. Common Kestrel. Order posters online

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN FOR GEORGIA

On February 19, 2005 Prime–Minister of Georgia has signed a decree on approval of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). As a result of advocacy and public awareness raising activities conducted during last years by GCCW in assistance and partnership with BirdLife International, bird conservation actions are presented widely in this important national policy document, including Important Bird Areas. Full text of Georgia NBSAP will be available soon in this web–site.