Registration before 15 June 2022 (extended to 15 July!) / Abstract submission before15 July 2022

This Eurasian Spoonbill International Expert Group workshop is open to network members and any participant with interest in wetland conservation. It will be of interest to staff from a variety of nature conservation organisations, including scientists, statutory agencies, NGOs, volunteers and students, particularly:

 ●         Within the Eurasian Spoonbill International Expert Group (ESIEG);

●         Ornithologists studying waterbird populations;

●         Wetland Site Managers working on habitat restoration

●         Staff working in outreach / public information functions – for example: Awareness and raising support for wetland conservation;

●         Stakeholders in local communities.

The workshop provides a unique opportunity to strengthen connectivity between people involved in studying and managing wetlands for the conservation of spoonbills and associated waterbird populations. Our aim is to share information and build practical know-how about drivers of population regulation and ways to improve management effectiveness in habitat restoration. A special emphasis will be made to enhance capacity building within the network and focus on stakeholders from North African and Eastern Mediterranean countries.

This workshop will be held in Petrčane, very close to Zadar, Croatia, a city of exceptional history and rich cultural heritage acknowledged by UNESCO. It is situated on the east Adriatic coast, with several National and Nature Parks in the surroundings (Paklenica, Velebit, Vransko Lake, Kornati, Krka).

The exact place of the workshop is here: Petrčane V. ulica 1 a, 23231, Petrčane https://hotel-pinija.hr/hr/

Zadar Airport is connected with many European cities (https://www.zadar-airport.hr/en/destinations) at affordable prices. Alternatively, there is a possibility to fly to Split or Zagreb airports, and continue the travel by bus (3-3.5 hours). From the Zadar airport to the conference site regular public transport is available (https://www.zadar-airport.hr/en/public-transport). Price for the one-way ticket is 3.4 EUR.

Site visit is planned to the island of Pag, connected with the mainland by bridge. Although it is mostly known for its dry karst landscape, it also hosts important habitats for breeding and migrating waterbirds: saltpans, shallow bays and hidden marshes Velo and Kolansko Blato, proclaimed as ornithological reserves. During spring and fall migration, these wetlands serve as a major stop-over site for waterbirds. Ferruginous Ducks, Pygmy Cormorants, herons and waders are common sights in the area.

Package

The organisation committee provides a unique package that includes registration fees, accommodation and food.

 The registration fees for the Workshop includes:

-       admission to oral and poster sessions,

-       workshop material,

-       the official reception and coffee-breaks,

-       lunch (3 days),

-       dinner (4 days)

-       a whole-day fieldtrip

-       the ‘Spoonbiller party’.

Travel and personal costs are not included in registration fees

The package costs 380€ per person for a shared room and 500 € per person for a single room before extended deadline 15 July 2022. After this date an 100€ extra fee will be charged. Registration only (without accommodation) is possible at the cost of €130 per person. There are many other options and facilities for accommodation available in the area, but they should be arranged directly by participants.

Eurasian Spoonbill International Expert Group

Croatian Society for Birds and Nature Protection

Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek

Institute of Ornithology, CASA

Tour du Valat