Description
Czech nature is rich and diverse but there is a list of endangered species. An intense help is framed in documents giving basic information and instructions how to treat the most endangered species. Such a document, usually for a species, less often for a group, is called an “action plan”. The Freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is specially protected species therefor the “Action Plan for Freshwater Pearl Mussel” was prepared in the year 2000 with an update in 2014.The project meets the target of the state environmental policy of the Czech Republic for 2012-2020. The main objective of the project is the implementation of the action plan by education of the general public and locals about species protection. There will be a sociological study among locals. The project outcomes are increasing of knowledge about species among locals and general public by presentation and excursion at schools, sociological study, creating of special commix and cache. As a part of the project text of the action plan will be translated to German and English and printed and all materials about action plan for will be digitalized. Project will include part of publicity. The project outputs are all tools which presents topic to the public in an easy way (commix, cache etc.) and people participated on the project activities and found the knowledge of species and its protection. The target group of the project is primarily general public, nature-conservation authorities. Secondarily, the education and connected activities will carry out the species. There’s no project partner from donor countries but one local partner – NGO Beleco, z.s. The NGO is contributing to the project by experts and their participnce and advising.
Summary of project results
This project comprises five main activity types. The first part is dedicated to raising public awareness. A newly established website will present information about the Freshwater Pearl Mussel (FWPM) and oligotrophic watercourses in a popular educational form using articles, news, interactive games and a fiction-like online diary of the FWPM. A Facebook profile for the FWPM will be created, giving the latest information on planned events. Schools and the general public will be offered to attend five lectures and two excursions directly in the catchment areas occupied by the FWPM. The pupils and students will have the chance to test their new knowledge in a series of worksheets. Two popularising articles in magazines and a (comics) about the FWPM, including a quiz or a game, will be written. A geocache will be set for trips and riddle lovers. To find its exact coordinates knowledge about the FWPM and its environment will be required. The effective protection of the FWPM depends on the processes within the entire catchment area. It is therefore absolutely necessary to be aware of any possible conflicts with the interests of the stakeholders in the catchment areas of the Blanice and Malse rivers. This will be revealed by sociological research which will identify stakeholders needs. Obtained results will be publicly presented. A need of close cooperation and communication with locals is linked to establishing a patron of a locality who knows the local relationships as well as the requirements of the FWPM and who will be able to communicate with the public and transfer and discuss the experience with professionals. Even though the Czech Republic was pioneer country in conservation, care and practice of FWPM, our foreign colleagues have still had no chance to get known the Czech know-how and action plan in English. The current range of the action plan, however, is not suitable for direct translation into English, and will require appropriate reduction and editing before it can be translated into English. After more than 30 years of activities in FWPM conservation, a great amount of news and valuable information was gathered and is, unfortunately, spread over the regional archives, which complicates its practical use. Our efforts will therefore aim at gathering all the relevant documents from authorities, archives and museums, and creating a database about the FWPM. Database will serve as a source of information, for example about FWPM original occurrence range or current conservation activities.
Summary of bilateral results