Category: Новости

For the first time since the establishment in 1972, the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) on 09 of July has officially expanded its line of work to the Prespa Region by opening its very first local office, in Resen.

The opening of the Prespa local office for us is an important step forward, having in mind that we are an active member and founder of the trans boundary PrespaNet network, formed in 2013 and implementing conservation activities in the Prespa Region in Macedonia, Albania and Greece ever since. The local office was officially opened by the executive director of MES, Robertina Brajanoska, who stressed the importance of trans boundary cooperation towards protection of nature in Prespa region.

“It is a great feeling to see nature unite so many people, knowing no borders. Prespa Lake and the Prespa Region are a biodiversity hotspot, which needs protection for the generations to come. I do hope that the opening of this office will ensure intensified work and commitment towards conservation and study of Prespa and will cater effective cooperation among all important stakeholders at regional and national levels, states MES Executive Director”, Brajanoska.

MES in Prespa initiated monitoring of large mammals, plants and wetlands at transboundary level within the project dubbed “Working towards transboundary conservation of Prespa region by common actions raised by PrespaNet partners”, funded by the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT) and Aage V.Jensen Charity Foundation. The opening of the regional office of MES in Prespa was greeted by the Executive Director of of the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT), Mirjam de Koning.

“Nature protection in the Prespa Region presents a priority, and as financiers we like to be present in the long run and to support the work of local NGOs, the protected areas in the three countries, as well as the local population through activities related to ecotourism and sustainable use of natural resources”, states the Executive Director of the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT),  de Koning.

Besides biodiversity monitoring and protection in Prespa, in the recent years MES has also developed educational programmes for the schools in the regions, whereas we also foster cooperation with the administrations of Galichica and Pelister National Parks, and the Municipality of Resen, as the managing body of the Ezerani Nature Park and the Prespa Lake Natural Monument.

The local office representative of MES in Resen is Daniela Zaec, MES project manager, zaec@mes.org.mk

On 29 March 2018, the Macedonian Ecological Society, the Society for the Protection of Prespa from Greece and the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania celebrated the fifth anniversary of the day when the three organisations of transboundary Prespa established PrespaNet, an NGO network for the protection of the Prespa watershed. On this occasion, emphasis was put on the need for the three countries to act in unison on its protection. Throughout the years, the organisations have managed to establish close cooperation towards reaching their goals, working together on a transboundary strategy for Prespa, which includes water management, joint monitoring of species, lobbying for the use of sustainable approaches, and also raising public awareness.       

This anniversary was marked by the new project for the conservation of Prespa funded by PONT and the Aage V. Jensen Foundations, which encompasses wetland conservation, plant and large mammal monitoring, and it also includes many opportunities for active involvement in environmental protection. We are turning over a new leaf for PrespaNet and helping to build sustainable future for Prespa!

After more than 45 years of existence and work in nature protection and promotion of ecological science, we decided that it was high time to refresh our logo and modernise our website. We do hope that changing the organisation’s image will bring us closer to the citizens and the members. Therefore, as of today, 22 April – Earth Day, until 22 May – International Day for Biological Diversity, MES annual membership will be free of charge.

For decades now such international days bear significance to us, for we remain firmly dedicated to exploring and conserving nature, as well as bringing it closer to the Macedonian citizens.

Our new look starts from the new logo selected from the several suggestions by a few Macedonian designers active on the Facebook page named Creative exchange. The logo was developed by the designer Vladimir Trajanovski from Ohrid. The process of approving the final idea took more than a year, whereas it has retained all elements of the old logo but in a very stylised manner. The new logo, much like the old one, depicts the integral functioning of the biosphere, combining the soil, water, sun and vegetation, but this time with softer lines, clearness and simplicity.

This year MES became a fully-fledged member of BirdLife International, the oldest and the largest global NGO network for nature conservation established in 1922, which brings together organisations from more than 120 countries with more than 13 million members and supporters.

If you have decided to become our member, click here!

For the ninth consecutive year, on the weekend of 13 and 14 January 2018, MES employees and volunteers conducted bird counting on Macedonia’s three natural lakes, also including adjacent water reservoirs and wetlands. Despite the biting cold, the teams’ weather-defying spirit and enthusiasm made an enjoyable endeavour out of the International Waterfowl Census (IWC) in Macedonia, resulting in a total count of as much as 11,000 birds on Ohrid Lake and Prespa Lake, and 5,500 birds on Dojran Lake.

The International Waterfowl Census is the largest volunteer waterbird count with a long-standing tradition ever since 1967. Led by the Wetlands International and in cooperation with numerous local organisations, this event has become the much needed source of information pivotal to creating policies on wetland management and protection.