Steps Towards Conservation

The project “Steps towards Conservation” is implemented by Piatra Altarului Club in partnership with the Romanian Ranger Association, Politehnica Speleological Club, the Center for Protected Areas and Sustainable Development Oradea, Apuseni Mountains Natural Park Administration, the mayoralty of Margau, and Ic Ponor-Padis Tourist Village.

The project’s goal is to promote the environmental protection and natural heritage conservation in the Somesul Cald Springs area.

This goal will be approached through the following objectives:

• the creation of the Ic Ponor Ecological Center (main activities: setting up a green energy system for the center – wind and solar, continuous volunteer presence and activities in the center),
• the promotion of the Molhasul de la Izbuc area, for its declaration as a Natura 2000 site (activities: field studies and research, preparing and finalizing all necessary documentation for the sites),
• organizing two training sessions for NGOs and rangers that work in the management of protected areas (activities: two sessions in which the trainees will learn about PA management, communication, education-interpretation, fundraising etc.),
• the promotion of the sustainable use of the natural heritage among the local communities (activities: a Junior Ranger camp for local children, a meeting and discussion session with the local community about green energy and agro- and ecotourism possibilities),
• the promotion of the project and its results (printing a brochure and organizing a press conference at the ecological center).

The main results of the project will consist of a better protection and conservation of the biodiversity, environmental education for children, rangers and Protected Area managers trained, making the local community sensitive to the ecotourism opportunities of the area and to the alternative energy solutions. The project’s total costs are USD 36,084, of which the contribution of GEF/SGP is of USD 18,354.