Ukraine is one of the five Contracting Parties to the Bern Convention which officially adopted Emerald Network sites on its territory, the so called “Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCI)”. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine prepared within the framework of the EU-funded project “Support to Ukraine in approximation of the EU environmental acquis” awareness raising material in order to promote the ASCI.

Roll-ups presenting information about eleven ASCI were produced to showcase a wide range of Ukraine’s rich diversity: from marshes and mountains to desert and marine coast. The exhibition focuses on wild species of flora and fauna which require a special protection under the Bern Convention, key habitats occurring in the given ASCI, and tips for the development of ecotourism.

The exhibition was opened at the occasion of the press conference “Without boundaries: how to protect wild nature in Ukraine under EU standards?” held in Kyiv on 12 March 2018 under the leadership of the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mr. Ostap Semerak. The press conference was an opportunity to present the concept of the Emerald Network to a wide public and to introduce the new legal initiatives of the Ministry for its reinforcement.

Both the press-conference and the exhibition of the roll-ups were very much appreciated by the environmentalists, the general public and decision-makers. They were also widely shared via social media.

Link to the image gallery.