GCCW

Introduction

The Important Bird Areas (IBA) program of BirdLife International is a worldwide initiative aimed at identifying and properly managing network of critical sites for the conservation of the world's birds and biodiversity in general. The European IBA program is the longest running of a number of regional IBA programs and for the last decade has addressed site-oriented research and action, encompassing habitat management, integrated natural resources planning and management, public participation and community development, monitoring, education, advocacy, and national and international legal protection. The national IBA program in Georgia is initiated in 2001 by GCCW.

What are IBAs?

• Critical sites for the conservation of birds and biodiversity
• Places of international importance
• Practical targets for conservation action
• Selected according to internationally recognized criteria
• Used to reinforce existing protected area networks
• Used as part of a wider approach to conservation and sustainable development

What are main targets in IBA conservation?

• Designate IBAs as protected areas under national law
• Monitor IBAs to understand changes and feedback in conservation and policy mechanisms
• Maximize, use and disseminate data
• Integrate environmental objectives into all policy sectors
• Involve local communities, NGOs, land-user and the public
• Adequately manage IBAs
• Adhere to national and international law regarding site protection
• Designate and protect IBAs under international agreements

Who works with IBAs?

IBA program is supported and coordinated by Birdlife secretariat. At national level it is implemented by BirdLife partners and national IBA coordinators, who work with network of local people, communities and organizations, so-called IBA “Caretakers” or “Site Support Groups”.

IBA program in Georgia

The major threats for IBAs in Georgian are result of unsustainable natural resources management practices (wetland, range land, forest and game management, agriculture, etc.) that itself usually derives from the low level of public awareness on biodiversity and insufficient level of community involvement in the local governance aspects and decision making process. Because of this, IBA program in Georgia incorporates two major elements: improving natural resources management practices and increasing public participation and community development at local levels. The specific activities implemented under the IBA program in Georgia include:

1. Completion of identification and delineation of IBAs:

• Phase 1: A1, A4, B1. 80% of suitable sites identified
• Phase 2: B2/B3, A2 A3
  
  

  2. Development of IBA Site Support Groups - at all IBAs of global significance local organizations exist:

• Provide training in conservation skills, including - bird identification & simple bird census techniques; basic principles of conservation management (including natural resources management, threats, legal and institutional framework); stewardship techniques dealing with stakeholders
• Provide training in organizational management, including: membership, fundraising, NGO development and management, public relations
• Provision of equipments: optics, computers, vehicles, etc.
• Assist developing local project proposals and to find funding
• Involvement in national projects
  
  

  3. Promotion of the IBA concept:

• Publish and distribute promotional materials
• Produce IBA book to use in advocacy
• Provide IBA information via the Internet, Develop along data collection
  
  

  4. Protect IBAs:

• Analyze protected area coverage of IBAs
• Prioritize IBAs for designation
• Participate/undertake preparation of management plans for priority IBAs
• Advocate designation of priority IBAs as protected areas
• Feed IBA information into national and international biodiversity prioritization processes
  
  

  5. Integrate IBAs into other policies

• Influence EIAs
• Influence relevant legislation
• Influence national environmental and development plans
  
  

  6. Monitor IBAs

• Use the IBA Site Support Groups to collect bird and threat information
• Produce report of state of IBAs in every 4 years
• Update IBA database and website

Recent Achievements

• 31 IBAs in category A are identified and delineated in Georgia and action plans are being developed
• A network of Site Support Groups is initiated - eight local NGOs (GCCW associated members) became involved in the program covering 13 IBAs
• IBA program in Georgia is included among priorities of the draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
• IBA data of Georgia is incorporated in the Ecosystem Profile of the Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot prepared by the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund
• The regional program for IBA conservation is developed in collaboration with BirdLife International and partner organizations in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia
• Project proposals for separate IBAs are developed and submitted to various potential donors
• IBA presentation leaflet is produced and distributed widely
• The first national IBA meeting is organized in 2004

IBAs in Georgia:

Map of Georgian IBAs

IBA Categories and Criteria

The criteria used to select IBAs of global significance are as follows:

Category 1. Globally Threatened Species - Criterion: The site regularly holds significant numbers of a globally threatened species, or other species of global conservation concern. A site qualifies under this category if it is known, estimated or thought to hold a population of a species categorized as Critical or Endangered. Population-size thresholds for those species identified as Vulnerable, Conservation Dependent, Data Deficient and Near Threatened are set regionally, as appropriate, to help in site selection.

Category 2. Restricted-range species - Criterion: The site is known or thought to hold a significant component of a group of species whose breeding distributions define an Endemic Bird Area or Secondary Area. Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs) are defined as places where two or more species of restricted range, i.e. with world distributions of less than 50,000 km2, occur together.

Category 3. Biome-restricted assemblage - Criterion: The site is known or thought to hold a significant component of the group of species whose distributions are largely or wholly confined to one biome. This category applies to groups of species with largely shared distributions of greater than 50,000 km2, which occur mostly or wholly within all or part of a particular biome and are, therefore, of global importance.

Category 4. Congregations - Criterion: A site may qualify on one or more of the four criteria: 1. Site known or thought to hold, on a regular basis, more than 1% of a biogeographic population of a congregatory waterbird species; 2. Site known or thought to hold, on a regular basis, more than 1% of the global population of a congregatory seabird or terrestrial species; 3. Site known or thought to hold, on a regular basis, more than 20,000 waterbirds or 10,000 pairs of seabirds of one or more species; 4. Site known or thought to exceed thresholds set for migratory species at bottleneck sites.

Criteria have been developed such, that by applying different numerical threshold, the international importance of a site for a species may be categorized at three distinct geographical levels:

• Global ("A" criteria)
• European ("B" criteria)
• European Union ("C" criteria)

List of Species of Conservation Concern in Europe and European Union Concern used for IBA identification in Georgia

Vision:

Achieving harmony between people and nature

Mission:

Georgian Center for the Conservation of Wildlife (GCCW) has founded in 1994 as a non-for-profit, non-political, non-governmental organization to encourage biodiversity conservation activities in Georgia. Our mission is to promote sustainable development policies and adaptive management strategies in Georgia by 1) applying the modern achievements of conservation biology to the natural resources management and biodiversity conservation practices and policies, 2) carrying out studies, conservation actions and educational activities, and 3) assisting relevant governmental institutions and community based organizations in capacity building.

Strategic Objectives:

GCCW strategic objectives are devided into two parts: Conservation and Organizational Development. Each part contains several components that are described below.

PART 1. CONSERVATION

Objective I: Viable populations of priority bird species in Georgia are maintained

Priority species include the globally threatened and endemic ones, as well as those for Georgia/Caucasus has a significant population and they are threatened. Priority species are defined using the IUCN red listing guidelines at national level and evaluating feasibility of actions.

1. 
   
   1. Develop Red List of Vertebrate Species for Georgia (in collaboration to other organizations): Estimate national populations for Birds in Europe II; Assess extinction risk of species for Red List; Develop legal framework related to Red List Species
   2. Develop Species Action Plans for selected priority bird species: The list of species depends on the result of the outcome of activities of advocacy on Red List. Until there is no legal background, action plans would serve internal purposes.
   3. Caucasian Black Grouse: Research, Conservation, community involvement, education
   4. Vultures: Bearded Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture
   5. Water Birds: the species and activities to be determined
   6. Globally threatened raptors: Imperial Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Greater Spotted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel

   Objective II: Viable populations of priority amphibian species in Georgia are maintained

   Priority species include species endemic to the Caucasus and listed as globally threatened in IUCN red list: 1) Caucasian salamander; 2) Caucasian Parsley frog; 3) Caucasian toad; and 4) Syrian spadefoot.

2. 1. Document species occurrence and develop digital database: Initially focusing only above listed 4 priority species, later for other amphibians also.
   2. Assess the national conservation status for each priority species: Assess the population size and dynamics; Assess the current and possible threats to species and their habitats; Conduct population viability analyses, including genetic analyses
   3. Develop priority species action plans: Based on obtained data, develop species action plans; Lobby at different government levels, to incorporate these plans into national biodiversity policies and strategies
   4. Monitoring: Define main (“source”) populations for each priority species; Develop and implement monitoring for this populations, involving local groups
   5. Ensure legal protection: Assist new Protected areas establishment and management planning to ensure the protection of critical populations and habitats; Assist the National Red Listing legislation development
   6. Education and awareness raising: Popular publications, species campaigns, data feeding to formal education…

   Objective III: Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are identified and protected in Georgia

   the Important Bird Areas (IBA) program is implemented with a close partnership to BirdLife International. Currently, there are 31 IBAs identified and delineated in Georgia. The process is still continuing and should be complete by 2005.

3. 1. Finish identification of IBAs: Delineate IBAs and fill data in the World Bird Data Base (WBDB)
   2. Development of IBA caretaker network: At all IBAs of global significance local organizations exist by the end of 2005; Provide training in conservation skills, including - bird identification & simple bird census techniques (2003); basic principles of conservation management (including natural resources management, threats, legal and institutional framework) (2003); stewardship techniques dealing with stakeholders; Provide training in organizational management, including: membership, fundraising, NGO development and management, public relations; Provision of equipments: optics, computers, vehicles, etc.; Assist developing local project proposals and to find funding; Involvement in national projects
   3. Promote the IBA concept: Publish leaflet about IBAs (2003): What is an IBA? Why IBAs are important? How you can participate? Produce IBA book to use in advocacy (2004-2005); Provide IBA information via the Internet, Develop along data collection from 2003.
   4. Protect IBAs: Analyze protected area coverage of IBAs; Prioritization of IBAs for designation Participate/undertake preparation of management plans for priority IBAs; Advocate designation of priority IBAs as protected areas; Feed IBA information into national and international biodiversity prioritization processes; Opportunities: CEPF Ecosystem Profiling process, GEF/WB Georgia Protected Area Program.
   5. Integrate IBAs into other policies: Influence EIAs; Influence relevant legislation; Influence national environmental and development plans
   6. Monitor IBAs: Use the IBA caretaker network to collect bird and threat information; Produce report of state of IBAs in every 4 years; Update IBA database and website

   Objective IV: Wetland ecosystems are better protected and more sustainably used (Including riparian forests).

4. 1. Assist the development of a National Wetland Strategy: Partnership with other NGOs; Partnership with Ministry of Environment; Partnership with WWF "Freshwater ecosystems" program; Explore opportunities with WI.
   2. Solve the problem of unmanaged water bird hunting: Through the National Wetland Strategy, or National Water bird Management Plan.
   3. Develop and raise funds for the Javakheti Sustainable Wetland Management Project: Restoration; Integrated resource management, including regulation of waterbird management, fisheries and other agriculture.
   4. Participate and advice in country and regional integrated watershed management programs: Build on already existing experience in GCCW and existing collaboration with donors
   5. Establish national water bird monitoring program: TBD

   Objective V: Mountain ecosystems are better protected and more sustainable used (including mountain forests and alpine zones).

5. 1. Alpine and sub-alpine meadows: Major problems are related to range management – overgrazing, selection of grazing areas (abandonment of rotation systems, abandonment of set aside system). Protected area development plans do not consider sufficiently grazing areas. Develop integrated range management pilot projects at the selected IBAs containing alpine and subalpine habitat important for Caucasian Black Grouse, vultures, and other wildlife (magnitude depends on funding).
   2. Forests: Forest areas are under attention of many organizations. In particular World Bank, WWF are active in collaboration with government agencies. GCCW's unique work area can be to provide bird information for assessing sustainability of forest management and to feed bird information into forest management planning (including IBA information into delineation of HNVF). Set up research program on forest bird communities and their relation to management practices Setting up monitoring scheme for forest birds. Only possible with well educated volunteers (>50). It can be integrated with BirdLife's Common Bird Monitoring Program; Feed bird and IBA information in identification of HNVF and protected area network Influence management planning

   Objective VI: Semi-arid ecosystems are better protected and more sustainable used

   This naturally fragile ecosystem (small, isolated fragments exist in Georgia) contains unique biodiversity. Main threats: main wintering area for wintering sheep from the whole eastern Greater Caucasus cause disappearance of gray partridges, destroying nests of rodents. Unmanaged hunting on game birds resulting in their population decreases - quails, chucker, black francolin, gray partridge, pheasant, and doves. Burning of grass destroys Cinereous Vulture nests. Big concentration of shepherds and dogs cause disturbance to wintering raptors. Mining and exploration are other threats.

6. 1. Explore opportunities to use Convention on Combat Desertification
   2. Assist protected area designation under GEF/WB PA Development Project to incorporate protection needs of the Iori IBA

   Objective VII: Biodiversity Information Management

7. 1. Develop biodiversity information management system: Awareness raising about the needs and fundraising; Partnership development with other groups
   2. Conduct GAP analysis: Depending on 1.3.11

PART 2. ORGANISATION DEVELOPMENT

Objective I: GCCW has circa 5000 members by 2005

1. 1. Develop membership policy and recruitment program (2003): Network development in the Georgian regions and districts; Tbilisi membership - Tbilisi has 30% of the country’s population and it is the wealthiest. Potential methods to use: gatherings, meetings, quarterly meetings, and outings.
   2. Attract expatriates in Tbilisi as members: Invited parties (work with embassies); Presentations; Bird watching; Exhibitions; Campaigns
   3. Nature Schools in Georgia Program: Establish contact with teachers, attract schoolchildren as members. Potential spin off effect can be market for GCCW products, more skilled volunteers. Getting support to eco-educational activities is likely because it features in many funding portfolio.
   4. Produce newsletter for members twice a year

   Objective II: GCCW is well known by public

2. 1. Celebrating special days: World Wetlands' Day; Earth's Day; BirdWatch
   2. Be present in press: Organize press conferences/field trips related to programs/projects; Provide projects materials to journalist at popular magazines and TV
   3. Campaigns: Bird of the Year
   4. Establish a nature/bird magazine: There is a niche for a popular nature magazine, but this should be subject of specific business planning; Carry out market research to find out needs and market segment, might be possible through in kind support.
   5. Publish popular nature books: GCCW should prepare a plan what to publish and when keeping in mind potential impact on membership development.

   Objective III: Strengthen the governance of GCCW

3. 1. Review election system and role of board in GCCW and introduce changes gradually
   2. Update and communicate more regularly with Advisory Council
   3. Produce regularly annual report
   4. Produce Annual Workplan & Budget
   5. GCCW management participate in Building on Experience

   Objective IV: Ensure secure funding

   Values - Predictability, Sustainability, Increasing in country support, Diverse funding sources, Capitalize on current interest of donors to enable long-term sustainability of organization

4. 1. Develop membership to secure long term sustainability when economical stability increases
   2. Increasing in country support: Potential in country founding sources - State budget for biodiversity conservation (currently does not exists); Collaborate with other NGOs to advocate increase of state incomes to be spent on environmental conservation; State funds - Creation of a "Swap to Nature" fund is considered ; Tax deductions for nature conservation (Several times was tried in Georgia by NGO community); Private business (very weak, no incentives); Income from eco-tourism - Time costs is to be considered. GCCW considers establishing a firm. However, the network development provides opportunity spread the burden and benefits. This would require thinking about structure, benefit sharing, training of guides, etc.; Develop a business plan for eco-tourism development and implement it; Merchandise - selling nature related products in country as membership growths; Organize fundraising event s- Consider working with embassies, companies; Income from consultancy work - strategy to be defined.
   3. External donors: Projects from smaller grants; Use SVS support as investment into development of the organization not attractive to other donors; Use CEPF opportunities; Use GEF opportunities

   Objective V: Staffed up to the needs

5. 1. Conservation staff: There are lack of traind conservation specialists in Georgia. GCCW's focus will be in identification of potential staff and providing assistance for them in training both in- country and abroad. The most urgent training needs include: Conservation Director; IBA coordinator; Biodiversity data manager; Species program manager; Ecosystems program manager; Wetlands program manager
   2. Development staff: Special focus will be paid to build GCCW's development capacity step by step - Phase 1 (2003) – create development department, identify, employ and train a development officer/manager; Phase 2 (2004 - 2007) - complete the building of the development department including the following staff: Fundraising officer, Membership and marketing officer, Communication officer, Education officer, Network development officer