Bridging the Gap Between Wildlife Conservation Tools and Real-World Needs: Highlights from the Field Workshop in Gabrovo
"Many of the challenges [workshop participants] highlighted have already been addressed by our project." This was the conclusion of the workshop hosted in Gabrovo, Bulgaria, in May 2024. The event brought together Nature FIRST partners and field practitioners from Bulgaria to explore solutions for managing human-wildlife conflicts. Nature FIRST presented tools like habitat mapping and a bear recommender system, while participants from national and local organisations shared the practical challenges they faced. The workshop also featured hands-on wildlife crime scene demonstrations and discussions on operational barriers, including IT limitations, conservation protocols, and budget constraints.
Objectives and Participants
During the seminar experts and stakeholders explored practical solutions for managing conflicts between humans and wildlife and to share updates on ongoing projects. Attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Environment, the Executive Environmental Protection Agency (ExEA), and national park management and inspectorates, all of whom play important roles in conservation efforts.
Presentations during Field Workshop in Gabrovo
Presentations and Discussions
The workshop aimed to gather insights from those "in the field"—from national officials to local practitioners—about their work and challenges in biodiversity monitoring and wildlife protection. Day one provided valuable perspectives on issues like funding gaps, legislative needs, and enforcement difficulties.
The second day focused on demonstrating Nature FIRST solutions, including a hands-on "crime scene" exercise. This helped illustrate how the tools can assist in real-world scenarios.
Presentations covered various aspects of the Nature FIRST project. Boris Hinojo (3eData) updated attendees on habitat mapping, noting, “There was interest in how our tools can improve habitat management and resolve conflicts.” Feedback from stakeholders, including state institutions and NGOs, will help refine these tools.
Albin Ahmeti (Semantic Web Company) presented the bear recommender system, designed to reduce human-bear conflicts. Although still in development, Albin was optimistic about its future applications. “We are working on proving the system’s effectiveness. Initial progress is promising,” he said.
During the workshop, participants presented their work in monitoring biodiversity and the challenges they face. Representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Water shared details on Bulgaria's legislation, protected areas, and the establishment of a special police unit to combat wildlife and environmental crime. The Executive Environmental Protection Agency discussed its national monitoring system, stressing financial and staffing challenges. The Executive Forest Agency highlighted the need for better funding and resources for forest conservation. Other presentations included the Central Balkan National Park's monitoring efforts and challenges, as well as WWF Bulgaria’s work on forest connectivity and climate resilience.
The workshop also provided an opportunity to better understand the operational landscape, such as the availability of current IT tools, conservation protocols, and budget constraints. Importantly, the event helped spread awareness through communication with the media, ensuring that the challenges and solutions discussed reached a wider audience.
Reflections on the Workshop
The feedback from the seminar was positive. Jan-Kees Schakel (Sensing Clues), Scientific Coordinator of Nature FIRST Project, noted, “The event exceeded our expectations. We had valuable conversations with participants who clearly outlined their practical issues, not just theoretical concerns. Many of the challenges they highlighted have already been addressed by our project. Our next step is to find ways to deliver these solutions effectively, considering factors like tendering and procurement rules. It’s important that Bulgaria benefits from these results quickly, as they are much needed.”
Ilya Acosta from the Bulgarian Academy of Science shared his thoughts on the seminar, highlighting its success and the active participation from stakeholders. “Overall, the workshop was very successful,” Ilya remarked. He noted that the discussions were productive and that stakeholders were keen to explore collaborative opportunities. Ilya also observed positive feedback from Bulgarian participants, who expressed interest in the tools and solutions presented. “During the breaks and informal discussions, attendees mentioned that the tools we’re offering are intriguing and could be highly beneficial,” he said. Looking forward, Ilya hopes to see this interest translate into future collaborations. “I hope that the enthusiasm from the stakeholders leads to more concrete partnerships. However, securing the necessary funding for continued development and collaboration remains a significant challenge,” he noted.
Radostina Pravcheva presenting at the workshop in Gabrovo, Bulgaria / Photo: Nikola Ganchev
Radostina Pravcheva, a senior biodiversity expert at Central Balkan Park, found the workshop very informative. She appreciated the practical solutions discussed and expressed optimism about their potential. “This workshop was particularly valuable, as it involved numerous international experts. We are especially interested in the forensic training provided by the BAS team, as it offers new insights and skills that could be beneficial for us,” she said.
Radostina discussed her experience with the Cluey application, noting that while she has been using it to collect data for a year, official monitoring requires the use of paper forms mandated by the Ministry of Environment.
“I’ve been using Cluey out of personal interest to explore its potential, but the Ministry dictates official practices. We hope to see more flexibility in the future”
Regarding her involvement in similar research projects, Radostina acknowledged that while her team participates in various initiatives, this is the first project that focuses specifically on wildlife crime combined with biodiversity monitoring.
“This project is unique in its approach, blending wildlife crime and biodiversity monitoring, which presents both opportunities and challenges. We are keen to apply what we learn, though implementing these solutions within the current legislative framework remains a challenge”
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Nature FIRST project during the field visit to Bulgaria
Nature FIRST is focused on developing models to improve biodiversity conservation. By combining ecological theories with real-time data, the project aims to provide tools for managing human-wildlife conflicts. Covering regions like the Balkan Mountains, the project involves experts from Bulgaria, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, and other countries.
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