Although all SaveGREEN activities planned to take place in Ukraine, including ongoing monitoring activities in the Transcarpathian Pilot Area and the Transnational Experience Exchange Workshop, have been put on hold or slowed down until further notice, our team reported to be unharmed and continued to work on strengthening biodiversity through the topic of eco-corridors and sent some positive news from the field. 

Our Ukrainian team had a chance to implement an Infoday on the SaveGREEN project in Lviv, Ukraine before the crisis started. Project experts summarised the aims of the project, related activities, and planned outcomes for two-dozen meeting participants involved in the field of biodiversity conservation.

Ukraine-Zakarpattia region - Carpathians. Photo: Suzanna Tymochko - WWF 

The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss habitat fragmentation in some detail, namely its impact on the migration routes of large carnivores and other wildlife. Other specific subjects of discussion included: the effect of transport infrastructure on wildlife populations; roadkill and accidents involving vehicles; and proposed methodologies and tools for restoring wildlife migration routes. There was also a presentation on SaveGREEN’s experimental pilot area in the Zakarpattia Region in Ukraine.

Providing a regulatory perspective, project expert Anatoliy Pavelko spoke on the legal peculiarities of creating ecological corridors, both in Ukraine and abroad.

Infoday participants discuss the SaveGREEN project in Ukraine. Photo: WWF-Ukraine

In addition to presenting the main goals, approaches and current achievements of the SaveGREEN project, participants were encouraged to engage in dialogue on key conservation and management measures, including ways to monitor wildlife – especially large carnivores – in forests and protected areas.

A total of 24 representatives attended the meeting from the following educational, environmental and government institutions:

• Ivan Franko Lviv National University 
• State Agency of Forest Resources of Ukraine
• Specialised Environmental Prosecutor’s Office of Lviv Region
• State Environmental Inspectorate of Lviv Region
• WWF-Ukraine
• Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
• National Forestry University of Ukraine
• Halych National Nature Park
• Skolivski Beskydy National Park
• Lviv Regional Department of Forestry and Hunting
• Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Department of Forestry and Hunting
• Lviv Regional Center for Ecological and Natural Creativity
• NGO ‘Danube-Carpathian Programme’
• Bear Rehabilitation Centre ‘Domazhyr’
• Lviv Zoological Museum
• Institute of Carpathian Ecology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

This fruitful discussion between experts shows that there is a need for openness, cooperation and the sharing of knowledge. We look forward to sharing news of successful results and partnerships in the very near future!  

Please check out our project factsheet about the Zakarpattia Region, and don’t miss the chance to follow #SaveGREEN on social media to get the latest project news and insights.

Author: Suzanna Tymochko, SaveGREEN Project Expert, Ukraine