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.

THE GRANT FROM VOGELBESCHERMING NEDERLAND

Vogelbescherming Nederland, the Dutch Partner of BirdLife International, has provided GCCW co? funding for fulfillment of two projects: 1) Publication of the book ?Birding Guide to Georgia?, and 2) Birdwatching promotion in Tbilisi high schools. Birdwatching will be introduced among students as a recreation form by providing free guided birding trips.

SAKER FALCON ACTION PLANNING

Zura Javakhishvili, Conservation Manager of GCCW and Giorgi Darchiashvili, Conservation officer, have attended the Saker FalconAction Planning workshop in Hungary, organized by the European Division of BirdLife International and its national partner in Hungary – Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society (MME). The following major problems were discussed during the workshop: threats, habitat use, prey availability, trapping, nest robbing, illegal trade and other existing constraints in the region. The action plan was developed to improve the conservation status of Saker falcon population in Europe. MME has hosted after workshop trips for GCCW staff to share experience on organization of bird ringing camps and on raptors conservation.

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

GCCW has conducted Winter Bird Census in Kolkheti National Park and its adjacent territories on 25– 31 January, 2005 based on a contract with ICZM Centre. About 27,500 individuals of up to 70 species of waterfowl and some Raptors were counted during the fieldwork. As it was expected Water birds were concentrated at Paliastomi Lake, Black Sea coast and Rioni river delta. Among dominant species were observed: Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck and Black– headed Gull, from Raptors – White– tailed Eagle and Spotted Eagle. The next bird census will be conducted in Kolkheti at the end of February, 2005.

BIRDS IN EUROPE: NEW PUBLICATION FROM BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL

For the first time, fully updated Birds in Europe: Population Estimates, Trends and Conservation Status is available from Birdlife International that covers every European country, including Caucasian and Balkan countries where political instability made data collection impossible during the first edition in 1994. GCCW contributed to this publication providing current data on birds of Georgia. The book is distributed freely among major stakeholders in Georgia, including government agencies, academia, NGOs and representatives of foreign development agencies.

DALMATIAN PELICAN – BIRD OF THE YEAR 2005

GCCW has announced Dalmatian Pelican as a Bird of the Year 2005. The pocket calendar, t– shirt and the poster/calendar of Dalmatian Pelican are produced. Production and distribution of these promotional materials aims to raise public awareness and build support to bird conservation activities. More info on Bird of the Year Campaigns

DALMATIAN PELICAN – NEW POSTER IS AVAILABLE

A new poster/calendar of 2005 is produced by GCCW with a photo of Dalmatian Pelican. Members and partners can get free copy. Order online...

GCCW MEMBERS’ ASSEMBLY

GCCW member’s assembly took place on 11-12 December, 2004 in Telavi, Georgia. Two main aspects were discussed: structural changes in GCCW management, including elaboration of new regulations for the board operation and elections, and institutional development of associated member organizations, including the following themes: Organizational Management, Membership Management, Mass-media Relations, and Role of the Board in a non-governmental organization’s management. GCCW has presented the Annual Report 2004 to the assembly. IBA Program in Georgia was also discussed. At the end of this meeting, the changes in GCCW structure was adopted and 4 new members of the board were elected.

IBA PRESENTATION BROCHURE IS AVAILABLE NOW IN GEORGIAN

The first IBA presentation brochure is produced in Georgian language. It contains information on Important Bird Areas global program, and outlines national IBA program activities in Georgia. The brochure is distributed widely among institutions and individuals at national, regional and local levels. More info on Georgia IBA program

IUCN CONGRESS - THAILAND

Ramaz Gokhelashvili, a director of GCCW, has participated in the 3rd IUCN World Conservation Congress that took place in Bangkok, Thailand at 17-25 November, 2004. This is a largest gathering of conservation oriented organizations and individuals. GCCW was presented at such meeting first time as a member of IUCN, which provided useful knowledge on IUCN operations and on the ways how to participate more actively in IUCN work. Congress has highlighted the most important conservation issues worldwide, and provided excellent opportunity for about 5,000 participants to establish new contacts and promote partnerships. More info about the congress

INTERVIEW IN THE IUCN NEWSLETTER

An interview with Ramaz Gokhelashvili, a Director of GCCW, is published in the IUCN Newsletter, Volume 5, Autumn 2004. This issue of the bulletin is dedicated to the funding aspects of nature conservation. More details

NEW ASSOCIATED MEMBER

Another NGO has joined GCCW as an associated member – Nature Protection Society BAKURIANI. Now GCCW associated members are represented in the following districts of Georgia: Telavi, Kvareli, Lagodekhi, Akhaltsikhe, Batumi,, Bakuriani Poti and Kazbegi.

IBA NETWORKING WORKSHOP IN TURKEY

Zura Javakhishvili, Conservation Manager of GCCW and Nika Tsiklauri, IBA Coordinator have attended the IBA networking workshop organized by the European Division of BirdLife International and Doğa Derneği in Izmir, Turkey. The main objective of the workshop was determination of the role of the “Network of Site Support Groups - SSGs ” (IBA caretakers) in Important Bird Areas (IBAs) conservation.

BIRDS OF THE CAUCASUS – FIELD GUIDE PREPARATION IS INITIATED

Rafael Galvez, a bird artist has joined GCCW to work on illustrations for the field guide – Birds of the Caucasus. The work will be completed by the summer of 2005, and this will be a first bird guide–book for this region with high quality illustrations, maps and an original text. GCCW is fund–raising to collect printing costs of this book. Pre–requests are also available. More...

FARMING FOR LIFE – GEORGIA IS PART OF THE EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN

The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has encouraged intensive production and created massive changes in farming and land-management. Alongside technological advances, this has seriously damaged the environment and threatens our quality of life. Also costly to operate, the CAP offers poor value for money to the European taxpayer.

Urgent action is needed now to avoid losing our countryside forever.

We are campaigning to:

1. protect and improve Europe's landscapes & wildlife
2. support sustainable farming & rural communities
3. provide value for money to Europe’s taxpayers

Sign up now, and become part of new EU policy development!

NEW BOOK FROM GCCW – CAUCASUS WILDLIFE AND ITS HISTORY

GCCW have produced the new book “Caucasus Wildlife and its History” jointly with Buneba Print Ltd. David Tarkhnishvili, author of the book and a well known ecologist, describes with simple and explicable language the nature history of the Caucasus. Order the book online....

BUILDING ON EXPERIENCE – PARAGUAY

Nika Tsiklauri, a GCCW conservation officer, has participated in the Building on Experience training module III that took place in Paraguay, July 20–30. The following aspects were discussed in this module: Financial aspects of organizational management and planning, Understanding Stakeholders, Using science and research strategically, Quality Control in an NGO Environment, and Internal communications. This program is initiated and organized by BirdLife International and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). The module was hosted by the Guyra Paraguay.

RAPTORS AND OWLS OF GEORGIA – FIELD GUIDE TO BE PUBLISHED

On July 30, the memorandum was signed with Georgia Protected Area Development Center (GPADC) to produce the field guide “Raptors and Owls of Georgia“. GCCW takes responsibility to prepare this publication, while GPAP will cover the publishing costs. This book will be available by the end of 2004. Order the book online....

STUDENTS FROM BELGIUM VOLUNTEER FOR GCCW

Four students from Belgium will volunteer for GCCW to conduct the bird inventories in two districts (Lentekhi and Tsageri) during the period of August-September this year. Information on birds in these districts is scarce. Volunteers will help GCCW to fill this gap and use the collected information in the conservation planning.

SATELLITE TRANSMITTERS ON GEORGIAN VULTURES

Two Griffon and two Egyptian Vultures were caught in Kazbegi and Chachuna Managed Nature Reserve. All birds were wing-tagged and sampled for DNA analyses. One Satellite transmitter was mounted only on a Griffon. One more transmitter is putted on a Cinereous Vulture in Iori region.