4 December 2025, Ankara-Bolu – To truly understand the pulse of a protected ecosystem, one must step away from the desk and into the forest—a philosophy put into practice this week as regional experts gathered in Türkiye to shape the future of biodiversity conservation.

From 25 to 27 November 2025, regional experts from Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Montenegro convened in Türkiye for a three-day training programme under the FAO-Türkiye Forestry Partnership Programme. The initiative strengthened skills in protected area planning through a combination of technical sessions and hands-on field experience in Yedigöller National Park and Abant Lake Nature Park.

The programme opened in Ankara with a full day of expert-led presentations delivered by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP) and FAO specialists. Sessions explored key themes including wetland management principles, protected area planning frameworks, management of wildlife improvement areas, and biodiversity conservation and monitoring methodologies. Participants actively engaged in interactive components such as group works and discussions, connecting Türkiye’s experience with their own national contexts. The day concluded with a group reflection session where experts synthesized key insights, followed by a technical briefing on the ecological characteristics of the upcoming field sites in Bolu.

On the second day, participants travelled to Yedigöller National Park to conduct field applications related to biodiversity and ecosystem data collection. The group examined mixed forest ecosystems – including Fagus orientalis, Quercus spp., Carpinus betulus, Alnus glutinosa, Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmuelleriana and Pinus sylvestris. Participants gained insights into characteristic wildlife such as Capreolus capreolus, Sus scrofa, Vulpes vulpes and Martes martes. The group also observed the microclimatic influence of the park’s seven interconnected lakes and analysed the practical implementation of the four-zone Long-Term Development Plan, which includes strict protection, sensitive zones, controlled recreation areas and buffer zones.

The final day took place in Abant Lake Nature Park, where participants examined the 1 265-hectare protected landscape and the groundwater-fed lake system, which reaches 17 metres in depth. The visit highlighted conservation measures for the endemic Abant Trout (Salmo abanticus), a species found only in Abant Lake. Field discussions focused on socioeconomic aspects of protected areas, stakeholder dynamics, and the preparation of draft zoning maps, monitoring indicators and action plans.

Across the three days, the training provided a comprehensive, practice-oriented learning experience. The insights gained will inform future pilot planning processes and advance regional collaboration under the “Improving Biodiversity and Sustainable Forestry” project. Funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye, the project directly supports the realization of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Life on Land (SDG 15).

About the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes

The objectives of the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes are to provide support to ensure food security, rural poverty reduction and sustainable forest management; combat desertification; and preserve ecosystems in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and other countries of mutual interest.

Established in 2007, the first phase of the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture (FTPP) has benefited from trust fund contributions totalling USD 10 million, financed by the Government of Türkiye and represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. During the first phase of the programme, 28 projects were implemented in 16 countries between 2009 and 2015.

In 2014, Türkiye and FAO commenced the second phase of the FTPP along with the first phase of the FAO-Türkiye Forestry Partnership Programme (FTFP) with additional funding of USD 20 million, bringing Türkiye’s total contribution to USD 30 million.

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