On the 30th and 31st of May 2023, the CEI Conference
"DANUBEPARKS Newt Conservation Partnership & Climate Change" was held
in Văleni, Republic of Moldova, and it was concluded with a great success.
The conference, organized by Public Institution Nature Park
Kopački rit, Agency Moldsilva, and DANUBEPARKS supported by the Central
European Initiative (CEI), brought together experts, scientists, and
conservationists from the Danube River Network of Protected Areas (DANUBEPARKS)
to address the critical issues of newt conservation and climate change.
The hybrid two-day event featured insightful presentations
of prominent European herpetologist and other experts and representatives of
DANUBEPARKS Protected Areas from 8 Danube countries. Attendees had the
opportunity to share experiences, best practices, and innovative approaches to
conserving newts and amphibians, as well as restoring wetlands.
The event paved the way for the initiation of the first
Danube-wide Crested Newt conservation project which will start in 2024. Also,
the commitment of DANUBEPARKS and its partners to long-term conservation
efforts, was confirmed by signing two strategic documents:
1. Memorandum of Cooperation „DANUBEPARKS Newt Conservation
Partnership“ signed between DANUBEPARKS - Danube River Network of Protected
Areas represented by Mr. Vlatko Rožac and Societas Europaea Herpetologica
(European Herpetological Society) represented by Mr. Andreas Maletzy,
2. Cooperation Agreement between DANUBEPARKS and Lower Prut
Natural Reserve represented by Mr. Vasilica Gheorghe, Lower Prut Natural
Reserve Director.
"We are thrilled with the outcomes of this Conference,"
said Dr. Vlatko Rožac, a senior adviser in Kopački rit Nature Park and
DANUBEPARKS president. "With implementation of this Cooperation Activity
and signing two Memorandums of Cooperation, we provided a platform for fruitful
discussions and knowledge sharing among experts in the field. We are confident
that the insights gained from this event will contribute significantly to the
conservation of newt species and the enhancement of climate resilience in the
Danube River Basin."
At the end, one of the highlights of the conference was the
field trip to the nearby Lake Baleu which is part of Lower Prut Natural
Reserve, where participants observed the conservation efforts and ecological
significance of the region. The field trip provided a valuable opportunity to
deepen the understanding of newt habitats and their ecological interactions
within the broader context of the Danube River Basin.
The conference served as a testament to the strong
commitment of DANUBEPARKS Network, all its partners, and the CEI in addressing
the challenges posed by climate change and promoting biodiversity conservation.
By fostering regional cooperation and sharing expertise, the conference
exemplified the importance of collective efforts in safeguarding our natural
heritage.