From the 11 – 15th August 2025 a team of Czech experts (from the University of Life Sciences in Prague - specializing in water resources and ornithology, and the University of Ostrava – fish, aquatic biology/ecology), and Arnika travelled to Moldova to carry out a feasibility study of selected sites (Copanca, Talmaza, Cioburcu, Rascaleti, Stefan Voda and Palanca) along the Lower Dniester River (proposed National Park area), for the monitoring of Natura 2000 species.
On the 14th of August as part of the study trip the Czech experts, (accompanied by Arnika and our local partner NGO BIOTICA) carried out practical fieldwork training sessions/workshop for local Moldovan experts that work locally with Arnika and BIOTICA. Local experts consisted of Voluntary Rangers (from the Transdniestria area as well), an expert on fish, water treatment workers and bird specialists. We also met some members of the public namely fishermen and some local residents.
Practical demonstrations were made on identifying water resources issues and solutions, bird identification, fish and insect identification and many other useful and relevant discussions. The study trip and field training session were all completed successfully and were rated positively by all, bringing added value and the rare opportunity to meet and discuss issues with such experienced foreign experts.
The field training session and study tour with Czech experts were organised as a part of the project “Natura 2000 in Moldova: Promoting the European Approach to Nature Conservation in Moldova”, which is supported by the Transition Promotion Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and implemented by Arnika and BIOTICA. The Moldovan Association of Volunteer Rangers is one of the project’s beneficiaries.
Photos: Vlastimil Osoba, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague
