GB | Fagus orientalis forests can be found in Strandzha Mts. and the East Balkan Range. They are relic and with a concentration of South-Euxinian floristic elements and Tertiary relics.
They are inverse to the oak forests and occupy the most shadowy and humid ravines, low places and slopes. (e-ecodb.bas.bg) In these areas, the side of the valley is typically covered with a unique relict species from the Ice Age: Rhododendrun ponticum.

During the camp, in addition to the practical methods of local forest management, Foresters presented the basics of the sustainable operation of bee farms. We volunteered at an area, where nature conservationists work hand in hand with foresters to replace alien species with native ones (Quercus polycarpa). We visited the the centers of the Strandzha Nature Park in Malko Tarnovo and Ahtopol, where the directorate team welcomed us and talked about their work. (https://www.strandja.bg/en/)

We had the opportunity to meet wonderful, inspiring people at the Wilderness Camp in Bulgaria, where we could see their dedicated work for nature conservation and their fight for protecting fragile biodiversity.

Lake Atanasovsko is known for the diversity of its flora and fauna, its important role in biodiversity and its bird fauna. Among other things, organizations (BBF) provide suitable nesting opportunities for the species and deal with the problem of water circulation. The salinity of Lake Atanasovsko is high due to its connection with the sea salt extraction is done by evaporating concentrated seawater with solar radiation. Read more at: https://lagoon.biodiversity.bg/we-are

We observed Poda's colorful birdlife with binoculars in the center, where we also listened to a marine ecology presentation about problems affecting sea-related habitats and groups of organisms and the possible impact of climate change. Read more at: https://bspb.org/en/poda-protected-area/

In addition to learning about local traditions, sleeping at Strandzha's typical house with a unique construction method
and trying traditional foods, the botanist and zoologist colleagues also gave a lecture on the protection of fragile habitats and the destructive effects of human intervention. The white dunes are one of the most endangered habitats in the EU, almost every 3rd plant's world population is declining. Widespread pioneers crowd out specialists due to nitrophilic excess created by tourism.

There are many species included in the Bulgarian Red List, and also at international levels in nature conservation, among which we encountered the rare species Stachys maritima and Calystegia soldanella.

In addition to the rare bird species (for example white pelicans and pygmy cormorants), we saw the Bulgarian subspecies of the european green lizard (Lacerta viridis meridionalis), as well as individuals of Darveskia praticola pontica, dice snake (Natrix tessellata), grass snake (Natrix natrix), gray coloured Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus), Morimus asper funereus, three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and crabs among other species.

In addition to the Hungarian team, the participants were the ambassadors of ClimateGameOnSlovakia, Young Ambassadors – Země na talíři • Hra o klima, Milvus Group and Latvijas Dabas fonds. For the fantastic international camp, we owe a special thanks to Jordanka and the team of the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation, the devoted management and Directorate Team of the Strandzha Nature Park, the locals who welcomed us with open arms in the museums and churches, those who contributed to the implementation of the fantastic camp, and thanks we owe it to ClimateGameOn!, CEEweb for Biodiversity and Friends of the Earth Hungary.

Participants: https://www.facebook.com/biodiversity.bg, https://www.facebook.com/dabasfonds, https://www.facebook.com/MilvusGroup, https://www.facebook.com/climategameonslovakia, https://www.facebook.com/zemenataliri, https://www.facebook.com/ceeweb.for.biodiversity, https://www.facebook.com/mtvsz