Brief description of the "Wings over Wetlands" project

Wings over Wetlands (http://www.wingsoverwetlands.org/) is an international nature conservation project. Its goal is to protect the flyways used by migratory water birds. International cooperation will take place in the framework of WOW in order to create a comprehensive network of protected stopover sites along major migratory routes. From the perspective of the survival of the birds, it is of critical importance that there be well-protected wetland areas (marshes, bays, estuaries and inlets, rivers, lakes) along these flyways, which extend for thousands of kilometres.


Eleven demonstration project sites on three continents have been selected in the framework of the project - three in Europe, six in Africa and two in Asia. All of them are located in wetland areas frequented by migratory water birds as stop-over sites or wintering grounds. In these 11 areas, centres capable of providing training to naturalists from other countries in the area of wetland protection and renewal will be established. It is planned to use the experience gained from the centres in new areas following the conclusion of the project, so that all of the major wetland areas along the migratory routes would have sufficient protection in the future.


The project is being financed by the GEF (Global Environment Facility), the German Ministry of the Environment, BirdLife International, Wetlands International, the AEWA Secretariat and many other organizations, in the total amount of 12 million USD. The project has been brought to us by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).


Wings over Wetlands will include Lithuanian demonstration site in the western part of Lithuania - the Nemunas River Delta area and the NE coast of the Curonian Lagoon. The budget for the Lithuanian demonstration project is 340,000 USD. The Nemunas River Delta project site is located on the Eastern Atlantic flyway, which is very important from the standpoint of protecting Arctic water birds. The project will be implemented by the Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University. The term is 2007-2010.

"Wings over Wetlands" project demonstration sites 1. Estonia - Haapsalu-Noarootsi 2. Hungary - Biharugra Fishponds 3. Lithuania - Nemunas Delta 4. Maritania - Parc National du Banc D`Arguin 5. Niger - Namga-kokorou complex 6. Nigeria - Hadejia-Nguru wetlands 7. Senegal & Gambia - Saloum-Niumi National Parks 8. South Africa - Wakkerstroom wetlands 9. Tanzania - Dar es-Salaam 10. Turkey - Burdur Golu 11. Yemen - Aden Wetlands

Source: www.unep-aewa.org