Collaboration and Education – important factors in the protection of ecosystems

Prespa Lake is home to more than 2,000 species of fish, birds, mammals, and plants. Many of these species are unique to the area and in danger of becoming extinct should their habitat not be protected. Over the last forty years, the lake has suffered many pressures which has had a detrimental effect on water health. One of these being rapid biomass growth which threatens endemic species.

PONT has played a crucial role in the protection of biodiversity for a long time, and with their help, the protection of biological diversity is increasing. Some species cannot survive outside their natural habitat without human help. The destruction of their natural habitats is a real threat to their survival and preserving these habitats helps prevent damage to the entire ecosystem.

For the protection of Lake Prespa Monument of Nature and Ezerani Nature Park, the connection between the rangers, the team of the Monitoring Station in Stenje and other stakeholders is essential. Each of them contributes to the conservation of protected areas with one overarching goal of protection and improvement. Monitoring the water quality of lakes is important to understanding current conditions, as well as changes in natural processes and the influences of human activities over time.

The ongoing 3.5-year grant from PONT enables the Municipality of Resen to conduct additional activities to guarantee the most effective management of the protected areas and to reinforce capacity development:

• Supporting the Monitoring station in Stenje, used for analyses of the physical, chemical, and biological parameters in Lake Prespa and its watershed.
• Conservation of Ezerani Nature Park could not happen without assistant rangers. They patrol protected areas, monitor wildlife, prevent poaching, engage local communities in conservation and assist with eco-tourism.

This protected area is managed in a way that ensures the preservation of habitats, ecosystems and species in their natural state, maintenance of genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state, of naturally established ecological processes, protection of structural landscape features and authentic nature.

Another important factor in the chain is education. Environmental education is more than just information about the environment. Environmental education connects us to the world around us, raises awareness of issues affecting the environment, which we all depend on, as well as the activities we can take to improve and maintain it. As we face an escalating environmental crisis, the importance of environmental education cannot be overstated. It is not just an optional extra, but a necessity in our education system. For this purpose, presentations and educational games are organized for children in the educational process.

By Resen Municipality