LC Project of December 2023

Name of Project:  Balkan Meeting

Local Committee: IFSA SKOPS-LC

This year’s Balkan Meeting was organized in Bulgaria by IFSA SKOPS-LC and took its place from October 31st-November 4th 2023. During these four days, all participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the Training and Experimental Forest Range in Yundola village, affiliated with the Forestry University in Sofia, engaged in lecture series of Balkan forestry management accompanied with wildlife observation, as well as other activities such as the IFSA International Evening and workshops. There were participants from most of the Balkan Local Committees of IFSA including Romania, Türkiye, Greece, Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and also Czech Republic.

Lectures were conducted by Chief Assistant Professor PhD Evlogi Angelov on the topic of wildlife management in Bulgaria, Associate Professor PhD Momchil Panayotov on the subject of tree line in the area of Belmeken dam, including discussions on Heldreich’s Pine and Balkan Pine forests, Baykushev’s Pine, Alpine chamois habitats in Pirin National Park, and Associate Professor PhD Nasko Iliev on the topic of Douglas fir anti-erosion plantations close to Shipka village in the State Forestry Enterprise “Kazanlak” and Scot’s pine anti-erosion plantations in the State Forestry Enterprise “Pirdop”. 

All participants had the opportunity to engage in wildlife observation at the intensive game farming base at TEFR, Yundola, attend the traditional IFSA International evening, join the IFSA Workshop on Endemic species, categorized according to countries within IFSA, create an IFSA tree board for endemic species and participate in the traditional bonfire at TEFR, Yundola. IFSA recognizes the great impact of this transboundary project and wishes to award the LC Project of the Month December 2023. Congratulations!