Essence

About the campaign and the beginning

Despite its relatively small area Bulgaria is amidst the richest countries in Europe with regards to biodiversity and wild nature. Unfortunately the protected areas span only about 5% of the country. The Bulgarian part of the European ecological network of special protected areas Natura 2000 is being developed at the moment. This will give Bulgaria a second chance to protect its nature and the right of people to a clean and healthy environment.

Our nature however is facing a compete destruction. Every day the most precious and beautiful parts of Bulgaria are being built up, forests are being felled, wetlands are being dried up, there is serious poaching - all taking place with no measure, order or moral. Violations of the nature preservation laws happen on a daily basis.

Because of this at the end of 2006 we united our efforts in a campaign "For the Nature in Bulgaria". Our aim is together to fight for the preservation of the nature in Bulgaria and for the sustainable development of our country. We believe this could only happen with the active participation of all citizens of Bulgaria. We wish more people would realise that everything depends on us as such citizens. We insist that the laws in Bulgaria are followed to the letter and that state institutions fulfill their responsibilities and ensure those laws are upheld.

As of the 15th of February 2008 the campaign "Let the Nature Remain" is widely spread and now unites over 30 non-state organisations and citizen groups. Certain media and independent individuals in Bulgaria and around the world have also joined us.

What has happened in the last 2 years:

- We have sent numerous letters, signals and complaints and held many appointments with representatives of the Bulgarian institutions. The results in this direction are not satisfying, however we are now dealing with European institutions which for the time being are much more active than the local ones.

- We have caused a serious media awareness and managed to attract wide public support; hundreds of people have united in citizen groups and initiatives - for Irakli, Rila, Strandzha, Natura 2000. Those groups organised and continue organising actions, take part in the campaign and keep the public informed.

- The citizen campaign "Save Irakli" became a symbol of the Bulgarian nature preservation and changed the entire movement as well as the image of the citizen activity. It indicated even to us that the success of the campaign depends above all on us being united. We also realised that we had to make the communication more understandable by replacing the "science" language with a purely human one.

- During the entire 2007 we defended the acceptance of the Bulgarian areas of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in their full size.

- “Citizens for Rila” attracted a huge public support - over 170 000 signatures for Rila, created work groups by cities and motivated tens of thousands of people to think and act for the protection of Bulgarian nature.

At the moment we are fighting for protection of the nature, scenery and biodiversity or Rila, Irakli, Kaliakra, Kamchian Sands and many other endangered places. All participants and citizen groups supporting the campaign stand on equal grounds in the coalition, and their ideas are welcome.


What can you do "For the Nature in Bulgaria":

- Follow the news and take part in the initiatives of www.forthenature.org;

- Tell more people and spread the information about the campaign and about what is happening to our nature;

- Decide to do something, find like-minded people and realise your ideas; if you need assistance write to us at: contact[at]forthenature.org;

- Be active, join the campaign as a volunteer - we need all the help we can get and we form work groups;

- Make a donation for the entire campaign or for a specific action or campaign: for ex. for Rila, Irakli, for information materials or for a protest. The funds will be spent according to the wish of the donator and with complete transparency, accounting for the expenses of the website and the campaign.

Bank Account: IBAN: BG14 PRCB 9230 1016 3303 49

BIC: PRCB9230 ProCredit Bank – България

Account Holder: Bulgarian Foundation Biodiversity

So that there is nature! Take life by the hand!


To take part in specific initiatives and direct your questions to the coalition:

Jordanka Dineva, Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation – 0896 79 89 02, jordanka.dineva@biodiversity.bg

Cveta Hristova, Environmental Association "For the Earth“ - cveta.hristova@gmail.com

Signals for violations in Rila: rila (AT@) forthenature.org

E-mail of the coalition: contact[at]forthenature.org