The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

World Wetlands Day 2002: Bulgaria

World Wetlands Day - 2 February 2002

Planning Activities of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds / BirdLife Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds / BirdLife Bulgaria (BSPB) is a national bird conservation organization with about 20 regional structures, 4 regional offices and 2 Nature conservation centers in Bulgaria. One of the priorities of the organization is to work for the implementation of the Ramsar Convention in Bulgaria.

The following events are planned by BSPB to celebrate the Word Wetlands day:

Central Office of BSPB - Sofia

1. National Press-conference for presentation of the results of the last Mid-winter count of waterfowl in Bulgaria with relation to wetlands conservation and Ramsar Convention (1 February)
2. Official launch of the BSPB's new web site, please visit on www.bspb.org since 1 February 2002
3. Excursion of Sofia University students to a wetland near by Sofia with on-field presentation of the Ramsar Convention (3 February)

Nature Conservation Centre "Poda" (regional office of BSPB in Burgas)

1. Visit of students from the town of Pomorie to the Nature Conservation Centre "Poda" & lecture for the Ramsar Convention (2 February)
2. Opening of the new exhibition about amphibians and a new exhibition of BSPB activities on conservation of wetlands in Burgas region (2 February)
3. Celebration of the Word Wetlands day - getting together of the BSPB volunteers from Burgas region

Regional Office - Varna

1. Lecture & videofilm presentation for students from several schools in Varna - "What is the Ramsar Convention" - Joint activity of BSPB, Regional Inspectorate of the Ministry of the Environment and Water and Bulgarian-Swiss Biodiversity Conservation Programme (1 February)
2. Visit of students and BSPB volunteers to "Yatata" wetland - a future Ramsar Site (2 February)
3. Presentations of the Ramsar Convention and the wetlands in Varna Region in regional media (1-2 February)

Regional Office - Svistov

1. Excursions of students to wetlands in Svistov Region with on-field presentation of the Ramsar Convention and monitoring of Birds (2-3 February)
2. Distribution of written materials about the importance of wetlands and the Ramsar Convention in the schools in Svistov (1 February)
3. Presentations in local media
4. Video presentations in the local televisions

Regional Office - Plovdiv

1. TV report on the value of Maritza River (especially the future Ramsar Sites) for endangered bird species and the relation to the Ramsar Convention
2. Radio and Newspaper presentations at regional level
3. Submition to the MoEW of a proposal of Pyasachnik Reservoir (future Ramsar Site) as protected area

BSPB Branch in Vratza town

1. Radio and Newspaper presentations at regional level

BSPB Branch in Chaskovo town

1. Radio and Newspaper presentations at regional level

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ramsar@ramsar.org). Posted 29 January 2002, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.