About the project

The project “Restoration and sustainable management of Imperial Eagle’s foraging habitats in key Natura 2000 sites in Bulgaria (LIFE14 NAT/BG/001119)” with short name “Land for Life” focuses on the Imperial Eagle – an emblematic bird species of Community Interest, with critically depleting population in the EU. The strategy of the beneficiaries builds upon the results and reinforces the achievements of the recently concluded LIFE07 NAT/BG/000068 project resulting in 25% increase of the national breeding population of the target species. Having secured that the main cause of direct mortality for the species (proven by robust data) – the electrocution will be by large mitigated through the current LIFE+12 NAT/BG/000572 to which the BSPB is associated beneficiary, through this proposal we focus our efforts on reducing the fundamental cause for loss of species – the degradation and ultimate loss of natural habitats. 

Imperial Eagle, © Svetoslav Spasov

Expected results:

• Developed and tested sustainable land-management models within the key grassland habitats
• Restored 250 ha of tilled grasslands
• Restored 550 ha of overgrown grasslands
• Sustainably managed 1400 ha of grasslands trough natural grazing of sheep, cattle and horses
• Local farmers trained in sustainable grassland management in areas with breeding Imperial Eagls
• Improved Imperial Eagles foraging habitats
• 600 planted trees
• 40 artificial nests installed in suitable habitats  
• Developed and endorsed National Action Plan for Conservation of European Souslik
• One extinct colony of European Souslik restored
• Improved local support for conservation of Imperial Eagle and biodiversity in Natura 2000 areas.

Project sites: Special Protected Areas within the Natura 2000 network: Sakar, Derventski vazvishenia, Zapadna Strandzha, Adata – Tundzha, Kamenski bair and Sinite kamani - Grebenets.

Derventski vazvishenia, © Svetoslav Spasov

Project partners:

Coordinating beneficiary: Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds / BirdLife Bulgaria

Associated beneficiaries: NATURE PARK SAKAR, AGROFIELD EOOD, BIOFIELD EOOD, KIT EOOD, LAVENDA OOD, MALBREG EOOD, ODRISI EOOD, OT FERMATA EOOD

Duration: 5 years (01.09.2015 - 31.08.2020)

Financing: Project budget: 3,555,173 Euro of which 75% is co-finances by the LIFE programme of the European Union and 25% by the project partners.