Empowering Wetland Conservation Through Training and Collaboration
Organization: Doga Dernegi (BirdLife Turquie) (DD)
Award Amount: €34 000
Project Type: PROZHUM Small Project
Duration: January 2024 – December 2026
Project Contact: Özge Yaylalı, ozge.yaylali@dogadernegi.org
Keywords: training; monitoring; ornithology
Field trip to introduce undergraduate students from Ege University’s Faculty of Medicine to the Gediz Delta, its bird species, and the basics of birdwatching—encouraging future professionals to understand and protect biodiversity.
Summary
The Gediz Delta, one of the most ecologically significant coastal wetland ecosystems in Türkiye, provides critical wildlife habitat including winter habitat for over 80,000 birds, some of which globally threatened species. The delta also supports traditional and sustainable practices of fishing, salt production, agriculture and livestock farming using local breeds and indigenous seeds, while providing larger populations with flood regulation, water filtration, and carbon sequestration. Despite the global recognition of its value and its nationally protected status, the Gediz Delta faces conservation challenges similar to many wetlands in Türkiye: urbanisation, unsustainable agriculture, drainage, pollution, mining, unregulated access, and illegal hunting.
The Doga Dernegi project team has identified a critical gap in education related to wetland ecosystems in both primary and higher institutions, which has contributed to limited awareness of these ecosystems and advocacy for conservation. To address the need for an aware and engaged community, project activities include developing a dedicated curriculum and delivering a training course for students, local organizations, and decision-makers. Combined with midwinter waterbird censuses and breeding data updates for key species, these efforts are designed to empower a new generation of advocates and engage the local community in sustainable wetland management. The project builds on over two decades of conservation work carried out by the team in the region, including environmental training, monitoring, and habitat restoration.
Objectives
- Increase knowledge and promotion of the wetlands to students, local groups, citizens, experts and decision makers.
- Monitor the biodiversity of the Gediz Delta through key bird species, involving decision-makers, local communities and citizens in the process.
Resources
- Learn more about the PROZHUM project
Funding
Agence Française de Développement (AFD) implements France’s policy on international development and solidarity. Through its financing of NGOs and the public sector, as well as its research and publications, AFD supports and accelerates transitions towards a fairer, more resilient world. It also provides training in sustainable development (at AFD Campus) and other awareness-raising activities in France.