Justification
Forests and wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. They are crucial for maintaining biological diversity, soil conservation, erosion control, regulation of water regime, improving the quality of water and air. They also are crucial for mitigation of climate change, due to their huge capacity to absorb and retain CO2. On the other hand sustainable management of natural ecosystems increases this capacity. This allows us to integrate with this project the objectives of global warming mitigation and biodiversity conservation.
This project aims to do this by promoting the sustainable use of forests and wetlands; help the improvement of the policy related with climate change and biodiversity protection, by working with State Institutions; research of alternative funding sources;, approval of forest management plans that integrate climate change and biodiversity conservation goals, model use of biomass as an energy source and reforestation with native species.

Location
The project activities are carried out in three model areas located in different climates and at different altitudes:
1. Eastern Rhodopes: Haskovo District, Ivaylovgrad Municipality, State Forestry Ivaylovgrad (town Ivaylovgrad) - GPS: 41 ° 31'37 .93 " N, 26 ° 7'31 .75" E
2. Western Rhodope: Smolyan District, Smolyan Municipality, Cooperation of private forest owners Gela, Solishta, Stoikite (villages of Gela, Solishta and Stoikite) - GPS: 41 ° 38'58 .05 "N, 24 ° 35'34 .23" E
3. Dragoman marsh: Sofia District, Dragoman Municipality (.Dragoman town, Golemo Malovo village) - GPS 42 ° 55'53 .96 "N, 22 ° 57'36 .72" E

Project Target Groups
- Ministry of Environment and Waters
- Executive Forest Agency
- State Forestry Ivaylovgrad
- Private land owners and forest owners
- The scientific community and environmental organizations
- Local people
- Companies and organizations interested to trade CO2 emission

Goal and expected impacts
To study, elaborate and promote mechanisms that integrate the conservation of valuable ecosystems with the mitigation of global warming.

Objectives and expected results
1. Specified methodology for study the storage and fixation of CO2 of 3 valuable ecosystems in Bulgaria and one year study of their importance to reduce the effects of global warming and comparison with the objectives of biodiversity conservation
2. Study of the possibilities for application with projects for forests and wetlands in the markets for carbon emissions, assist the Ministry of Environment and Waters in the economic analysis of projects and promotion of opportunities for financing.
3. Adapting the management of forests and wetlands, and implementation of model activities such as reforestation with native tree species and use of biomass from marshes as renewable energy source
Major activities
1. Developing of methodology and detailed study of 3 model areas (1 coniferous forest, 1 deciduous forest and 1 wetland)about biodiversity, carbon sequestration, carbon storage, link water resources-climate change,
2. Analysis of the possibilities for participation of forest and wetland projects in the voluntary carbon market, economic analysis and development of 3 model projects.
3. Improving the management of the model areas according to biodiversity and climate change goals
4. Information activities

Partnership with GEF SGP proposals/projects
Project name: "Promoting environmentally forest management, developing business partnerships and sustainable hunting for conservation and effective management of globally significant biodiversity in boreal forests of the Rila-Rhodope range?
Project Number: 170
Type: Runing
Duration: 29.07.2009 - 30.12.2011

Sustainability
The three prepared project and the model use of plant biomass of the marsh will ensure financial sustainability.
Project activities will help the national policy on climate change and will be a good example for sustainable management of forests and wetlands.
The sustainable practices in forestry, wetlands management and carbon sequestration will create an impulse for local communities, NGOs and public administration. These results will amend the strategic documents ? Forest management plans, Management plan of the Dragoman marsh.
The long-lasting interest and commitments of partners in the region will ensure sustainability of the project and its outcomes. The involvement of forest owners and institutions in the development of model projects will ensure future funding and provides long-term commitment

Project Budget ? total, from GEF SGP, financial, in-kind - all in Bulgarian leva and percent of total
Total budget ? 98228 BGN
Financial co funding ? 42970 BGN
In kind co funding ? 9793 BGN
From GEF SGP ? 45465 BGN (46%)