Photo:©FAO

Ankara - A series of events were held in Şanlıurfa as part of the “Project for Conservation and Sustainable Management of Turkey's Steppe Ecosystems”. The project is conducted by partnership of FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (GDNCNP), the General Directorate of Plant Production (GDPP), and the General Directorate of Forestry (GDF), and with the financial support of the Global Environment Facility.

On the local level, the project is carried out by effective participation of Şanlıurfa Governorate, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry III. Regional Directorate (Şanlıurfa), Şanlıurfa Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Şanlıurfa Regional Directorate of Forestry, Harran University, and other stakeholders in the region.
Various events were held as part of the project ''component of creating the appropriate environment to effectively conserve steppe biodiversity in wide landscapes''. They were organized by partnership of the Food and Agriculture Organization, Ankara and Şanlıurfa units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Nature Conservation Centre. The events included the First National Steppe Conservation Workshop of Turkey, Preparation Workshop for Şanlıurfa Steppe Conservation Strategy and Action Plan, and some activities teach about the plant and animal diversity of steppes in primary schools.
The First National Steppe Conservation Workshop was aimed at creating a common understanding regarding steppe ecosystems and improving the cooperation between key stakeholders in conservation and management of steppes. Public institutions and academics made relevant presentations to this end. Besides, the challenges and possibilities of a cooperation regarding steppe management in Turkey as well as how to strengthen the cooperation were discussed in the panel. Attendees of the panel included: Şanlıurfa Deputy Governor Selami Özşahin; Director-General of Nature Conservation and National Parks İsmail Üzmez; senior representatives from FAO, public institutions, and universities; and entrepreneurs.
For school events: Activities such as wall-painting and preparing a steppe corner were carried out in Güzelkuyu Primary School to teach about the biodiversity of steppes and to raise awareness among students on plant and animal species living in steppes. Nearly 300 students created steppe corners in their schools and drew the species on their school walls.
In the Preparation Workshop for Şanlıurfa Steppe Conservation Strategy and Action Plan, local experts, field administrators, and users discussed about the current state and conservation needs of Şanlıurfa steppes.
In all these events, steps were taken to determine strategies to support the conservation and sustainable management of steppes. Also, it was aimed at raising awareness about the biodiversity of steppe ecosystems as well as their difference from meadows and pastures.
The Project for Conservation and Sustainable Management of Turkey's Steppe Ecosystems is aimed at ensuring effective management of conserved areas and promoting the conservation of biodiversity in cultivation areas, thereby strengthening the conservation of Turkey's steppe ecosystems.