The Significance, Protection and Management of Wet Meadows in Prespa

The protection and management of Prespa's wet meadows, based on effective nature-based practices and the collaboration of stakeholders, is important from ecological and socio-economic perspectives.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Macedonian Ecological Society has coordinated the management of wet meadows in Prespa, working alongside the Municipality of Resen, the Ezerani Nature Park, the Galichica National Park, local livestock breeders, and farmers.

This work is important for maintaining biodiversity and enhancing ecosystem services in the region, encouraging sustainable practices for the development of local livestock farming and preventing the spread of wildfires on the northern shore of Lake Prespa.

This year, approximately 18 hectares of meadows were mown and around 70 tonnes of hay were collected and distributed to around a dozen local livestock farmers, as well as to the Galichica National Park's European red deer reproduction centre.

This was followed by a public presentation and stakeholder roundtable in Resen. The event engaged around 50 participants and provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the successes of the wet meadow management programme in Prespa. It also allowed for the presentation of proposals and ideas for the further development and expansion of this activity, as well as the application of its model to the management of other regional habitats. Furthermore, it promoted sustainable ecological practices in the wider area.

 

The activity is part of the project “PrespaNET III - Conserving Biodiversity in Transboundary Prespa”, supported by the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT), the Aage V. Jensen Foundation, and EuroNatur.

 

For more information, please contact: 

Lazar Nikolov, Macedonian Ecological Society, nikolov(at)mes.org.mk
Igor Eftimovski, Macedonian Ecological Society, eftimovski(at)mes.org.mk