Doga Dernegi

Turkey

Threatened Species: 13 more info»
IBAs: 130 more info»
EBAs: 1 more info»

Doga Dernegi (DD)

Doga Dernegi is the BirdLife Partner Designate.

Founded in: 2002
Staff: 18
Address: Doga Dernegi, PK: 640 06445, Yenişehir, Ankara, Turkey
Email: doga@dogadernegi.org
Web: http://www.dogadernegi.org/

Mission of the organisation

Doga Dernegi seeks to protect Turkey's bird species, Important Bird Areas, Key Biodiversity Areas and priority habitats, trough a national network grassroots. To achieve this, DD:

Undertakes local and direct conservation actions
Develops communication and cooperation networks at several levels
Carries out research and disseminates their results
Runs education and capacity development programs
Advocates conservation through campaigns and lobbying

Key Activities

Growing its network of supporters is one of the key objectives of the organisation. The number of birdwatchers in Turkey rose from 29 in the year 2000 to 519 in 2004 mainly through DD's projects. 435 of these birdwatchers also carry out the IBA caretakers duties in the provinces where they live. From having birdwatchers' groups in only 4 provinces in 2000, there are now groups in 23 provinces
Through the input of its caretakers, bird monitoring activities are recorded using the internet based database “Kusbank,” coordinated by DD
Participating actively in the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF)
In 2004, DD prepared a manifesto on the Turkish government's policies for nature, obtaining the partnership of 11 of the largest national NGOs in Turkey
DD has compiled the first national Key Biodiversity Areas inventory in Turkey, and launched the internet based campaign, “Zero Extinction” to protect these. The campaign is supported by BirdLife and Atlas Magazine and mobilises thousands of people to send letters to the central government in Ankara as well as the provincial government
Recently became an active supporter of the German and Turkish Governments' twinning project on developing Turkey's Natura 2000 network
Species conservation, including work on flamingos, Caucasian Black Grouse, Great Bustards and Northern Bald Ibis
Launched an updated version of the Turkish IBA invetory in 2004
Carries out site based conservation, education and interpretation activities in Mogan IBA, Gediz Delta IBA, Buyuk Menderes National Park and Birecik Bald Ibis Station
Fundraising - some of their major donors include: BTC (BP Turkey), RSPB, BirdLife Secretariat, Dutch Government, European Commission, ATLAS Magazine, Tour Du Valat, and the Provincial Government of Izmir

Recent Achievements

A new IBA book has been published for Turkey. The inventory includes 184 IBAs in Turkey. The book has been introduced to the public with a successful launch.
Over the last year the numbers of site support groups have increased significantly. The extension of groups to the eastern parts of Turkey will support DD site actions in a very positive way.
On the ground conservation action started at three most significant Great Bustard IBAs in Turkey. Doga Dernegi is working with the Ministry of Environment for the conservation of Great Bustards. These efforts have triggered local conservation actions in those IBAs.
DD’s scientific contribution to global conservation initiatives has triggered the designation of a major part of Anatolia as a global conservation priority zone. Accordingly, Irano-Anatolian Hotspot took place among the 34 biodiversity hotspots worldwide as defined by Conservation International