Post by Jeffrey on Jan 3, 2020 17:19:38 GMT
Background
Much is unknown about the mustelid species in the Balkans. Although ten different native mustelid species occur in the region, little information about their ecology is known. Within the Balkans the mustelids could, compared to elsewhere in Europe, have unique features such as different diets, different habitat preferences or perhaps even different subspecies occur. More knowledge is vital for the understanding and protection of the species.
Therefore, Discover the mammals of Europe (part of the Habitat Foundation) is setting up a platform where researchers, ecologist, volunteers and enthusiasts can combine their strengths for the mustelids. The organisation will be called Research and Conservation of Mustelids on the Balkans (RCMB)
Goal
The RCMB aims to create a platform about mustelids in the Balkans. The platform will function as a method to connect those in the Balkans interested in mustelids, provide training, education, sharing of experiences and discussions, support in executing research and supplying necessary materials such as camera traps. Any knowledge gained can be a valuable contribution to the European Mammal Atlas.
Much is unknown about the mustelid species in the Balkans. Although ten different native mustelid species occur in the region, little information about their ecology is known. Within the Balkans the mustelids could, compared to elsewhere in Europe, have unique features such as different diets, different habitat preferences or perhaps even different subspecies occur. More knowledge is vital for the understanding and protection of the species.
Therefore, Discover the mammals of Europe (part of the Habitat Foundation) is setting up a platform where researchers, ecologist, volunteers and enthusiasts can combine their strengths for the mustelids. The organisation will be called Research and Conservation of Mustelids on the Balkans (RCMB)
Goal
The RCMB aims to create a platform about mustelids in the Balkans. The platform will function as a method to connect those in the Balkans interested in mustelids, provide training, education, sharing of experiences and discussions, support in executing research and supplying necessary materials such as camera traps. Any knowledge gained can be a valuable contribution to the European Mammal Atlas.
The RCMB also aims to start with a gathering in 2020 on mustelids in the Balkans. Scientists, ecologist, enthusiasts, volunteers and anyone else interested in mustelids from the region will be able to participate.
Long term goals
The long term goals of the project are:
- To share knowledge with people about the mustelid species;
- To connect all those involved;
- To cover all mustelid species per country;
- To provide methods for performing research;
- To support in setting up, arranging the necessary funds and/or materials for research;
- To gain attention of a broader public in the Balkans into mustelids;
- To contribute to the support of the conservation of mustelids in the Balkans;
- To create an annual workshop, preferably every time in a different Balkan country, where previous and new participants can join to discuss the progress, share new knowledge and learn (new) methods;
- To create a common database about mustelids, shared among the participants of the platform.
- To share knowledge with people about the mustelid species;
- To connect all those involved;
- To cover all mustelid species per country;
- To provide methods for performing research;
- To support in setting up, arranging the necessary funds and/or materials for research;
- To gain attention of a broader public in the Balkans into mustelids;
- To contribute to the support of the conservation of mustelids in the Balkans;
- To create an annual workshop, preferably every time in a different Balkan country, where previous and new participants can join to discuss the progress, share new knowledge and learn (new) methods;
- To create a common database about mustelids, shared among the participants of the platform.
Participation
Would you like to participate in the project? Feel free to contact us! Do take note of the following:
- The platform is an unpaid and a spare time effort;
- There are no specific knowledge or experiences required for participation. But you are expected to be able to provide a contribution (effort) to the platform;
- There is no obligation in attendance or in the size of contribution, after all is it an unpaid and free time project. But the bigger your attendance and contribution, the more beneficial it is to everyone.
- The project is focused on the following states: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia;
- You are able to participate if you're not from one of the previously named states. But the project is focused on this region;
- The platform is an unpaid and a spare time effort;
- There are no specific knowledge or experiences required for participation. But you are expected to be able to provide a contribution (effort) to the platform;
- There is no obligation in attendance or in the size of contribution, after all is it an unpaid and free time project. But the bigger your attendance and contribution, the more beneficial it is to everyone;
- It is also possible to sign up for updates about the project. Feel free sign yourself up via jeffrey.peereboom@thehabitatfoundation.org ;
- You are able to participate if you're not from one of the previously named states. But the project is focused on this region;
- The platform is an unpaid and a spare time effort;
- There are no specific knowledge or experiences required for participation. But you are expected to be able to provide a contribution (effort) to the platform;
- There is no obligation in attendance or in the size of contribution, after all is it an unpaid and free time project. But the bigger your attendance and contribution, the more beneficial it is to everyone;
- It is also possible to sign up for updates about the project. Feel free sign yourself up via jeffrey.peereboom@thehabitatfoundation.org ;
Donations
The RCMB is a unpaid and spare time project. This means the success of the project will be dependable on donations. Both financial (for example: organising the workshop) and materials (for example: materials used in mustelid research, such as camera traps) are very much appreciated.
The RCMB is a unpaid and spare time project. This means the success of the project will be dependable on donations. Both financial (for example: organising the workshop) and materials (for example: materials used in mustelid research, such as camera traps) are very much appreciated.
Link to Discover the Mammals of Europe
Link to the Habitat Foundation