Background

This project is located in the central part of the Oder valley in an area where the Nysa Luzycka River meets the Oder River and form the border between Poland and Germany. The landscape of both valleys is an integral conservation area called Frankfurt/Oder. Altogether, the project area is approximately 20,000 hectares.

Oder is one of the largest rivers in Europe and human activities and the natural wildlife changes are dependent on fluctuations in river water levels. The valley consists of mainly semi-natural meadows and pastures, which were managed by state farms until their collapse in the early 1990s. The majority of this land is now managed by private farmers, who either own or lease the land. There are, however, also still many valuable state owned areas, which need urgent conservation management.

There is a great potential for strengthening cross-border collaboration, particularly around sustainable tourism and nature conservation. The region was recently awarded the annual ‘Landscape of the Year’ award by a German based organisation Friends of Nature International.

Issues

Although there are several initiatives targeting cross-border tourism, sustainable land management has not been considered and there is a real lack of cross-border collaboration and integrated thinking on nature conservation issues in this area. There is also a need to integrate approaches to environmental stewardship into the region’s overall land use strategy. Engaging the local communities and offering educational activities as well as providing advice on land management opportunities to farmers will be an essential part of this project.

Aims

Through this project we will find solutions for sustainable development in the region, and will develop, through a participative stakeholder approach, a land use management strategy, which will, integrate the needs of the following flagship species: White Stork , Barn Owl and bat species. This selection of species will not only provide a good basis for sustainable management of habitats benefiting a wide range of species, but will also provide an important connection between these species and people.

The project will consist of the following three main themes (details are in the table below):

1. Sustainable development of the region:
   • Promoting and enhancing the economical potential of the region, such as local services and products.
   • Promoting and enhancing the understanding and integration of sustainable (i.e. economic, social and environmental) solutions by local businesses.
   • Developing eco-tourism infrastructure and initiatives, such as ‘view-points’ for tourists, educational centres, festivals, cycle and boat tours, volunteers’ involvement, etc.
   • Developing a cross-border exchange of knowledge and know-how on business, eco-tourism and nature conservation.
   • Establishing an information and support centre for local people who wish to set up a business in the region.
2. Sustainable land use and conservation:
   • Developing a sustainable land use management strategy (covering: river management, farmland, forestry, designated conservation areas).
   • Developing a support system for farmers promoting and supporting environmental stewardships in the region.
   • Managing conservation areas.
   • Supporting cross-border exchange of knowledge and collaboration between naturalists working in the region.
3. Education and voluntary initiatives
   • Developing a cross-border educational programme on the history and wildlife of the region.
   • Developing cross-border volunteer initiatives and establish programmes for involvement