Preparation of National Action Plans

Facilitation of the preparation of National Action Plans

An International Single Species Action Plan  was adopted for the Western Palearctic populations of the Lesser White-fronted Goose (LWfG) by the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) in 2008. This international plan provides the general framework for coordinating conservation activities in all the range states along the migratory routes of the species.

As a key tool for implementing this international conservation framework, range states are called upon to adopt and implement National Action Plans for the  LWfG, which focus in more detail on the specific conservation challenges and appropriate measures to be taken in each range state.

The formal adoption of such national action plans – mostly done by a national government entity – also contributes to institutionalizing basic LWfG conservation activities, such as yearly monitoring and ensuring adequate protection in each country. Within this project the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat will facilitate the national action planning process for the Lesser White-fronted Goose in Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary and provide guidance as needed.

The migration routes of the Fennoscandian LWfG are not restricted to the key sites within the European Union covered by the LIFE+ project. Therefore collaboration with other range states and experts both within and outside of the EU is an essential component in ensuring the long term conservation of the species.

To this end the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat will provide the link to international conservation activities, projects and research being carried out elsewhere along the flyways of both Western Palearctic LWfG sub-populations, including the organization of the 2^nd Meeting of the AEWA Lesser White-fronted Goose International Working Group scheduled to take place in Greece on the 7-9 November 2012.

This action is lead by the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat.

National Action Plan in Greece

During the course of this action HOS under the guidance of UNEP/AEWA will facilitate the production and endorsement of a National Action Plan (NAP) for the LWfG in Greece. The NAP will include up-to-date information that is necessary in order to promote the long-lasting conservation of the LWfG through the issuing of appropriate national legislations or policies and the establishment and management of protected areas.

HOS will coordinate the course of action of the National LWfG Working Group that will be comprised of experts from the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change of Greece (MEECC), Ministry of Rural Development and Food of Greece, National Agricultural Research Foundation (NAGREF), relevant Management Authorities and others. The group will draft and finalise the NAP document that will be submitted to the MEECC for formal approval.

This action is lead by Hellenic Ornithological Society HOS.

National Action Plan in Bulgaria

We will prepare the National Action Plan (NAP) for the LWfG in Bulgaria. The project has the support of the competent Ministry in Bulgaria and its commitment to endorse the National action plan and include it into national legal framework. A national LWfG working group, led by BSPB will be set up during spring 2012 to develop the national action plan.

The working group will comprise of experts and representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Water, Bulgarian Academy of Science, BSPB and other experts. The working group will arrangea workshop by spring 2013. The action plan will address all known significant threats for the species in Bulgaria, including threats defined from the present project, and it will propose relevant mitigation measures. The action plan will set long-term goals and define priority actions and measurable indicators.

This action is lead by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB).

National Action Plan in Hungary

The Hortobágy National Park Directorate (HNPD) set up a national LWfG working group in 2012 to produce the Hungarian National Action Plan (NAP) for the LWfG.

The national LWfG working group communicated with the International LWfG Working Group, prepared national reports and communications for the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat, European Commission etc. and formulated proposals for integration of the NAP in national, regional and local conservation policies. The LWfG working group, led by HNPD, also held a three-day workshop in spring 2013 in Hortobágy National Park, Hungary.

The Hungarian National Action Plan for Lesser White-fronted Goose was completed and published in 2013.

This action was lead Hortobágy National Park Directorate.