By Elena Gancheva | Fundraising manager
WWF becomes partner in a most innovative afforestation programme
WWF Bulgaria and the Southwestern State Forestry Enterprise join forces to enhance the restoration of damaged forest habitats within Natura 2000 sites by demonstrating best practices, incorporating modern methodologies for climate modelling and assessment of future effects on forest habitats, and improving national forestry policies.
Its main objective is restoration of forest habitats in Natura 2000 zones. Some forests were damaged by natural disasters (mostly fires) or are no longer vital as they were grown with inappropriate species which are highly susceptible to climate change.
WWF has an extensive experience in science-based afforestation and will share best practices in growing new forests. When choosing where to plant the new trees and what they will be, we will take into consideration the latest models of climate change and its impact on nature in Bulgaria. All species will be selected according to their resilience to heat and draughts.
Habitats will be restored in Vitosha, Konyavska and Osogovska mountains, Kresna-Ilindentsi and Dolna Mesta – 275 ha in total with Eastern and Panonian downy oak, Sub-Mediterranean black pine, alder, ash, and Greek juniper.
Although growing and planting millions of trees is the main course on our nature-friendly menu, we haven’t forgotten the sidedishes that will enhance it all to yet another achievement of our forest program.
There will be an information center in the forest nursery in Lokorsko Village. Experts, students, families with children and volunteers are most welcome to see how technology helps us grow seedlings from acorns.
Several years ago WWF built an online GIS database with all forests in Bulgaria – accessible and free of charge for anyone working in the forest sector, forest protection or just an active citizen who wants to check and report an illegal logging. Thanks to all collected data, experts will be able to create models of future climate change and suggest new approaches in forest management.
Wish us luck and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter – that’s how you’ll be the first to know about future volunteer work.
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