Mountain hay meadows – hotspots Mountain hay meadows – hotspots of biodiversity and traditional of biodiversity and traditional

culturecultureConference in GyimesközéplokConference in Gyimesközéplok

7-9. June 20107-9. June 2010

The Pagan Snow Cap Microregional Association

• Founded in 1999

• Members:

• 23,000 residents of which 36% Székely, 64% Csángó, both Hungarian minoritiesand a small number of Romanians, Gypsies and other ethnic groups.

- The Harghita County Council

- 6 municipalities (33 villages)

- 11 NGOs

- 9 local enterprises

Goals and fields of activity

Our main goal is to initiate and execute rural development in the area, paying special

attention to:

– Environment– Agriculture– Tourism– Cultural heritage and traditions

... in continuous co-operation with local citizens.

The area

The area

GyimesGyimes

CsíkCsík

Land management

Csík– Plough lands 20%– Meadow 34%– Pasture 22%– Forest 25%

– Average farm size: 4-5 ha in 5-6 pieces

80% of farms eligible for SAPS (single area payment scheme)

Gyimes– Plough lands 2%– Meadow 27%– Pasture 33%– Forest 38%

– Average farm size: 2-3 ha or less in 4-6 pieces

55% of farms eligible for SAPS

71%47%

Music, dance & costumes

Handicrafts

Local products

Eco tourism

Traditional architecture

Nature and landscape conservation

Creating landscape

Patchwork

Creating landscape

Why are traditional farmers important?

• Conservation of biodiversity and landscape - the country could not afford if it had to pay people to do it.

Pagan Snow Cap Microregion: 23.000 people -> 10.000 work on fields -> minimum wage half time = 75 €/month -> 9 million €/year

• They provide food, occupation and income for at least 50% of the population of Romania, which the country could not replace.

• Low-impact tourism, organic accreditation, high quality food production and other rural businesses that can profit from the natural and cultural treasures without destroying them.

• They illustrate to the rest of Europe how sustainable agricultural systems can maintain a rich biodiversity while feeding the population.

The project

• The goal of our project is double– on one hand we aim to protect and maintain hay meadows by

encouraging local communities to continue traditional farming; – on the other hand we use the presence of hay meadows to help

maintain and increase the life quality of local communities.

• Timeline: 2009 September – 2011 February.

• Funded by: UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme, Barbara Knowles Fund,

European Forum on Nature Conservation and Pastoralism with funding from the European Commission (DG Environment) and donations.

• Total funds: 28280 USD grant + 28280 USD own contribution.

• Professional partners: Sapientia University, Hargita County Council, Environmental Protection Agency of Hargita county and ADEPT Foundation.

Project objectives and activities

Main objectives:• To create a database on hay meadow biodiversity; • To create integrated management plans for two sites; • To make benefits for landowners from biodiversity and sustainable land

use.

Main activities:• Inventory of meadow biodiversity (plant, bird, amphibian, reptile, selected

invertebrate groups);• Consulting local farmers about land use; • Promoting the International Year of Biodiversity and bringing together

knowledge about meadow biodiversity, rural sociology and economy; • Proposing sites to be included in the Natura 2000 network;• Making and proposing local policies regarding sustainable land use and

nature conservation;• Compiling management plans and best practices guide;• Creating environmental education trails;• Increasing income from milk production (e.g. cheese making training

course, purchase of equipment to meet milk quality standards);• Integrating project results in local school curricula and outdoor activities.

Achievements until today

• Managed to do a part of the inventory of meadow biodiversity (biological survey);

• Managed to elaborate the documentation that is necessary for proposing areas in the Natura 2000 system;

• Started filming to create documentary about land usage;

• Launched project and conference website;

• Started to organize conference (registration is now open);

• Bought equipment for measuring milk quality for three milk collecting points;

• Consulted locals about traditional land usage (sociological survey).

Thank you for your Thank you for your attention!attention!Rodics GergelyRodics Gergely

www.poganyhavas.rowww.poganyhavas.rowww.mountainhaymeadows.euwww.mountainhaymeadows.eu