"I would state that for me this exchange was a great success. Not only did we get exposed to different types of thinking in terms of ecosystem management but we saw how Bulgaria is ahead of the UK in some ways in protected management."   more »

I work as an Area Officer for Scottish Natural Heritage covering part of the Aberdeenshire area. My job involves providing advice to other organisations and agencies about protected sites and species and the legislation relating to them. I was therefore particularly interested to learn how Bulgaria is approaching the Natura legislation. I also help to monitor and manage different protected sites, including oak woodlands, wetlands, species rich grasslands, and upland sites. I work with landowners of protected sites and try to develop management plans in order to maintain the interest of the site. In particular I am involved in managing an oak woodland site so I was interested to see what pressures there are on woodland sites in Bulgaria and how these is managed.    more »

It is easy to become entrenched in certain ways of approaching things, or of doing things. It has been very enlightening to travel to another country and to see how things are approached and carried out in another culture. This Nature Exchange trip has provided me with much food for thought, and I have spent much time ruminating since my return, pondering the comparisons between our two countries’ approach to conservation, and to our relationship with the natural world.   more »

Bulgarian nature Exchange

 

Balkan Assist.

 

4 – 12 July 2008

 

 

Day 1

Arrival at SofiaAirport. Accommodation in Sofia for 1 night – Amethyst hotel in the center.

 

Day 2

Visits to the ForestryUniversity in Sofia /10.00/ and Bulgarian Biodiversity foundation /14.00/. If there is enough time we can make a walk to ...   more »