ADRIATIC FLYWAY CONFERENCE 2009

WHERE
Ulcinj (Montenegro), Bojana-Buna Delta

WHEN
From the 14th to the 17th April 2009

ORGANISERS
EuroNatur Foundation
Black Mountain
Center for Protection and Research of Birds of Montenegro (CZIP)
Hotel Mediteran Ulcinj

WHO IS ADRIATIC FLYWAY CONFERENCE FOR?

The Adriatic Flyway Conference is aimed to promote the coastal area from Slovenia to Albania along the East Coast of the Adriatic as a unique place for bird preservation and nature based holidays in Europe and world-wide. It will also promote the protection of bird migration over the Mediterranean as a unique natural phenomenon in Europe.

The study of bird migration from Central and Northeast Europe across the Adriatic to Africa and the overall importance of this part of the Central European Flyway had not gained sufficient attention in the past. New results prove the great importance of the preserved sites for many migrating and wintering bird species. Several rare and endangered species depend on resting, feeding and wintering sites along the coast of the Balkan Peninsula. This region offers great potential for bird watching through out the year.

Our aim is to create an information point, a place to bring together experts and amateurs in bird watching, interested managers in the field of and conservation and nature tourism, to look into the various opportunities to promote nature based tourism along the Eastern Adriatic Coast. The programme offers ornithologists and conservation experts the space and facilities for networking and collaborative work as well as the possibility for cultural or nature based tourism combined with first hand information on bird migration.
The transboundary Bojana-Buna Delta between Albania and Montenegro with Lake Skadar in the hinterland, is a key site in the system of Important Bird Areas from Slovenia to Albania and an ideal location for the conference. This region is included in the European Green Belt initiative, which promotes the preservation of biodiversity preserved along the Iron Curtain in Europe. 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the opening the divide between East and West.

The pre-conference excursions and the visits during the event will offer a unique opportunity to experience a nearly unknown part of Europe. The southern Montenegrin and Albanian coastlines are among the least developed in Europe. Rapid economic growth and unprecedented foreign investment now place this area at a crossroad, with nature based tourism and environmental protection competing against big business to determine its future path.

THE Events of 1st ADRIATIC FLYWAY CONFERENCE

There will be five different types of event at Adriatic Flyway 2009: opening, plenary presentation, workshops, bird watching excursions and exhibition stands.

Opening

The opening event will provide an overview of the importance of the Adriatic Flyway and be dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Iron Curtain.

Plenary

The plenary presentation will demonstrate the importance of flyway management and link the Adriatic Flyway to other areas along the Central European migration corridors. We will also refer to important topics related to bird migration and nature tourism.

Workshops

A series of theme-based workshops and sessions will strengthen regional cooperation and the exchange of information. Posters and short contributions are welcome. Topics are up to now are:
1) birds of prey and day migration,
2) wetlands as stop over sites for water fowl,
3) ringing recoveries
4) opportunities for nature based tourism.

Market Place and Poster Sessions

During the conference, contributors and delegates will be provided with a venue for the sale or exchange of goods and services. Other organisations are also welcome to display their work.

Excursions

A pre-conference excursion program will offer a unique opportunity to experience the cultural and natural heritage along the Eastern Adriatic Coast and its hinterland in Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia.

The last day of the conference will be used to visit Lake Skadar and the Bojana-Buna Delta in Albania.

During the conference excursions are offered to sites in the near environment of Ulcinj as Solana Ulcinj, Velika Plaza, Sasko Jezero and Ada Bojana.

Additional guided bird watching excursions are possible before, after and through out the conference.

Conference Programme

	14. April 2009	15. April 2009	16. April 2009	17. April 2009
a.m.		Plenary	Plenary	Excursion to Albania:
p.m.		Workshops and Excursions	Workshops and Excursions	Lake Skadar and Bojana-Buna Delta
evening	Opening	Side Events	Conclusions

For more information:
http://www.euronatur.org/Adriatic-Flyway-Conference-2009.899.0.html

Websites:
http://www.adriaticflyway.com
http://www.montenegroholiday.com/

Registration: www.adriaticflyway.com/registration.htm

Contact:

Martin.Schneider-Jacoby@euronatur.org (English, German, Croatian)
jack@montenegroholiday.com (English)
czip@cg.yu (Montenegrin)