EU-LIFE Project "Living Lakes: Sustainable Management of Wetlands and Shallow Lakes"

Global Nature Fund has carried out a three-year project in the framework of the EU Life III Programme. The project areas were the lagoons La Nava and Boada in Spain, and the Nestos Lakes in north-eastern Greece. The main goal of the project was to develop and implement a management plan with the local communities focusing on the development of the wetlands while benefiting the social and economic needs of the local population.

The plan included the installation of buffer zones around the lakes to reduce nutrients influx, guidelines for the treatment of sewage effluent and visitor management. A plan for agricultural extensification and the production of Good Practice Guidelines so that other wetlands can benefit from the experience gained during the project were further parts of the project. Work camps for youth, as well as training courses for wetland managers helped to spread the expertise and experience gained.

Guidelines for the Preparation of a Management Plan

The management of different resources such as water or tourism is an internationally discussed and comprehensive task. One challenge is the adequate balance between social, ecological and economical aspects, which are illustrated in the recently completed guidelines for the preparation of a management plan "Reviving Wetlands – Sustainable Management of Wetlands and Shallow Lakes" of Global Nature Fund (GNF). In addition to information about resource management the manual contains the applicable expertise of international experts accompanied by descriptive case studies.

The book was published in four languages (English, German, Spanish and Greek) and comprises 134 pages as well as numerous colourful illustrations. Additionally, an instructional movie as DVD has been produced. The production of the information materials has been sponsored by the EU LIFE programme. The material is free of charge can be ordered at Global Nature Fund, for which the sending of US$ 21 for postage in the inquiry reply is necessary.

The guidelines are available for download here:

General Framework for a Professional Evaluation System for Lakeshore Conservation and Water Body Protection, using Lake Constance as an Example

The Working Group for the Lake Constance Shore together with the Lake Constance Foundation and Global Nature Fund have published an Evaluation System for Lakeshore Conservation and Water Body Protection, using Lake Constance as an example:

Final Conference

Friedrichshafen at Lake Constance, Germany

Training Course "Sustainable Management of Wetlands and Shallow Lakes"

Lake Constance, Germany

Training Course "Wetland Management and Restoration"

Norfolk & Suffolk Broads, Great Britain

Workshop "Restoration and Implementation of Management Plans in Nature Areas"

Lagoons La Nava and Boada, Spain

30 October -

1 November 2003

Workshop "Nature Conservation and Eco-Development"

Hrysoupolis, Greece

Workshop "Planning and Implementation of Wetlands Management"

Norwich, Great Britain

30 September -

5 October 2002

Training Course "Wetlands for Life"

Norwich, Great Britain

Training Course "Sustainable Management of Wetlands and Shallow Lakes"

Lake Constance, Germany

Further information for Download

Project Period:

Project Countries:

Project Partners:

Supporter:

2002 – 2004

Spain, Greece, Germany und Great Britain

Fundación Global Nature Spain, Broads Authority, Bodensee-Stiftung, Fuentes de Nava, Boada de Campos, AENAK - Development Agency of the Prefecture of Kavala, Global Nature Fund

European Union (EU)