Forest Connect - National stakeholder workshop

On 07. and 08.11. 2024 at Forestry unit G. St. Avramov” – Yundola in Rodopi Mountain, a national workshop with stakeholders was held in connection with the implementation of the activities under the project “DRP0200359 ForestConnect - “Towards climate-smart forest connectivity for large carnivores in the Balkan-Carpathian region”, ForestConnect.

The event was welcomed by the Executive Agency of Forestry – eng. Stoyan Toshev, Executive Director, eng. Rosen Raichev – Deputy Executive Director. During the workshop experts from the EFA, the Regional Forest Directorates, the State Forest Enterprises, the National Hunting and Fishing Association “Union of Hunters and Fishermen in Bulgaria”, the Bulgarian Hunting&Angler Union, local authorithies and farmers have shared their everyday professional challenges and future vision regarding the large carnivore’s population and habitats status, co-existence with local societies. The workshop was also attended by the President of the National Hunting and Fishing Association “Union of Hunters and Fishermen in Bulgaria” – eng. Vasil Vassilev.

The two-day session presented also the objectives and progress in the implementation of the project activities, discussions with stakeholders to share experience and knowledge about large carnivores and improving the connectivity of their habitats. Also discussed were issues related to the possibilities for reducing human-large carnivore conflict at the local level, monitoring large carnivores using digital tools (camera traps) and possible measures and recommendations for resolving these conflicts. Stakeholders participated in a short survey on large carnivores and their ecological corridors. The results will be used for the campaign activities to inform the target audience of the project and the public to explore the possibilities for supporting the habitats of large carnivores and coexistence with them.