Dates: Wednesday, 3 September 2014 – Thursday, 4 September 2014 (Note that travel may be required on 2 and 5 September)
Location: Hotel Tennis, Zvolen, Slovakia
Hosts
Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic, the State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic, the Water Research Institute and Slovak Water Enterprise, state enterprise
Background
This event is organised to advance conclusions from the first Alpine Biogeographical Seminar, held in Graz (November 2013) and in conjunction with the 2014 Work Plan of the Carpathian Wetland Initiative (CWI). It provides an important opportunity to discuss ongoing activities of the European Commission and highly relevant activities of the Ramsar Convention (in the frame of the Carpathian Wetlands Initiative – the official regional initiative of the Ramsar Convention coordinated by the State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic) and other regional conventions (Danube River Protection Convention, Carpathian Convention).
The purpose of the workshop is to increase awareness and to stimulate collaborative action to address the main threats and pressures to Alpine freshwater habitats. Such threats and pressures are also relevant for the countries beyond this biogeographic region and the borders of the EU. There will be discussion about application of the EU guidance on “hydropower plants and Natura 2000”, implementation of EU Directives (Water framework, Birds & Habitats Directives), comparison of reporting duties and results, and sharing of experience within the biogeographic region and between the EU and non-EU countries participating.
Workshop Content
Alpine freshwater habitats
• Main threats and pressures influencing their favourable conservation status
• Restoration potential and possibilities
• Relevant policy context and guidance – for example, management responsibilities in implementing the Water Framework and Nature Directives, draft guidance on hydropower plants and other barriers effecting the river continuum, gravel excavation, river modification, etc.
Target Audience
This networking event is aimed at experts from EU member states from the Alpine biogeographical region, as well as other Carpathian states – both EU and non-EU, the European Commission and cooperating institutions (such as ECNC, ICDPR, Ramsar Convention and Carpathian Convention). A maximum of 60 participants are expected (from 16 Member States, neighbouring Carpathian states, expert NGO organisations and the above mentioned institutions).
Expected results
The main aim of the workshop will be to promote collaborative action at the Alpine biogeographical level and the Carpathian region level, in order to help achieve favourable conservation status for river habitats and species, and to share good examples and best practices.
CWI Board Meeting
All CWI national focal points and partners will be invited to participate in the workshop, as well as in the meeting of the CWI Board members planned for the evening of 4th September 2014. This meeting will provide the opportunity to discuss follow up and future activities to be planned for 2015, as well as presentation of the CWI at related forthcoming events.
Excursions:
There are 2 parallel excursions planned. For both, transport by bus will be organized and guided tour provided, both for nature and water management issues.
Registration
Delegates are encouraged to register their interest to attend this workshop as soon as possible. Also, should you wish to contribute a case study or present a relevant project during the programme, please let us know and provide some summary details.
In all cases, the deadline for registration is 18 July 2014.
Registration is via email to: Natura2000Platform@ecnc.org
TO HELP, PLEASE QUOTE: “ALPINE RIVER REVITALISATION WORKSHOP” IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR EMAIL.
For further information on the workshop, the programme and costs, please download the Workshop Information [PDF, 448 KB].