SUPPORTING PEOPLE CONSERVING NATURE IN THE CAUCASUS

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Bio-diversity Hotspots Worldwide

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Prioritizing investment in areas rich with life is crucial.

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THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION

The isthmus between the Black and Caspian seas forms a complex but unified ecosystem.

South Caucasus Landscapes The Caucasus eco-region — an area the size of France:

• 9 of the 11 world climate types

• Peaks higher than the Alps

• Areas below sea level

• Virgin forests, subtropical forests, semi-deserts, pastures and wetlands

Tusheti National Park Mtirala National Park

Lake Arpi National Park 5

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Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park €276,800 grant over 3 years

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Lagodekhi Protected Areas €270,000 grant over 3 years

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Tusheti National Park 3 year grant starting in 2012

9 Vashlovani Protected Areas, Georgia

Vashlovani National Park 3 year grant starting in 2012

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Mtirala National Park CNF Funding 2013

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Kolkheti National Park

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Kazbegi National Park

Astounding Fauna

13 Swallowtail Butterfly Bezoar Goat Caucasus Leopard

• 150 mammals live in the Caucasus

• The highest level of endemism in a temperate zone— 1/5 of mammals, 1/4 of the plants can only be found in the region

• Key stopover point for many migratory birds

Caucasian/Persian Leopard

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Caucasus Leopard

• The largest leopard subspecies

• Native to the Caucasus mountains, northern Iran, eastern Turkey

• Less than 100 leopards exist in the South Caucasus eco-region.

15 Caucasus Leopard

East Caucasian Tur

Brown Bear Caucasian Viper

Goitred Gazelle

Bezoar Goats are found only in the eastern part of the Caucasus. Around 3,000 exist in the Khosrov Nature reserve CNF funding will support the breeding and reintroduction of these endangered animals.

The Bezoar or “bearded” goat can dash up a rocky cliff at 50 km per hour. Populations exist in Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is nearly extinct in Georgia.

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Imperial Eagle

Kestrel

Imperial Eagle

Caspian Snowcock

Eurasian Spoonbill

Astounding Flora

• 6500 species of vascular plants

• 1600 are endemic (25% percent)

• One of world’s largest old-growth forests in a temperate zone

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Swallowtail Butterfly on flower

Delphinium pyramidatum

Lilium szovitsianum

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Iris atropatana Wild Orchid

Kintrishi Protected Areas, Georgia 19 Lagodekhi Nature Reserve

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BEFORE Borjomi Visitor’s Center in 2010

AFTER CNF funds helped refurbish the exterior and interior of the Visitor’s Center in July 2011

CNF funds support tourist facilities and maintain trails, fostering tourism development

CNF supports Park Rangers

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Salary supplements provide rangers with a living wage, helping ensure patrol and monitoring.

Horns of endangered Caucasian Turs are prized trophies for poachers.

CNF funds support capital purchases such as jeeps and fire trucks

When fire broke out in Borjomi National Park, CNF helped by buying two fire trucks and gear.

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CNF

50% Funding (minimum)‏

Ministry of Environment

PA

Framework Agreement

50% Funding (maximum)‏

CNF funds—€ 6 million by 2020

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CNF Funding

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Charitable Trust

Limited Focus

Endowment Built to Last

CNF’s endowment covers administrative costs. All new monies go to directly to the parks and their programs!

Campaign—15 Parks by 2015 € By 2015 CNF aims to support 15 parks covering 605,000 hectares

Campaign Goals

• 15 Parks

• € 1 million/ yr. in grants

• € 11.2 million in new funds raised

• > 605,000 hectares 1.5 million acres protected

Campaign 2015 Fundraising

Existing - € 15 million

New Private - € 4.5 million

New Public - € 6.7million

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Dilijan’s 34,000 hectares (84,000 acres) of pristine forests were once home to the Caucasian red deer. The unique sub-species is one of the most endangered animals . CNF is teaming up with WWF to bring this beautiful animal back to the Armenia

2012 Red Deer Reintroduction Project

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2013 support for the first transboundry park in the South Caucasus

Lake Arpi National Park, in north-western Armenia, and Javakheti National Park in Georgia, together make up a spectacular mountain plateau that houses grasslands, lakes and wetlands. The area is globally recognized as an important staging and breeding ground for more than 140 bird species.

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