IFE project ARTEMIS on Awareness Raising, Training and Measures on Invasive alien Species in forests started this week. The project is lead by dr. Maarten de Groot from Slovenian Forestry Institute in collaboration with Institute Symbiosis, Slovenia Forest Service and Institute of the RS for Nature Conservation.
Kick-off meeting took place at Slovenian Forestry Institute on July 11. All partner representatives attended the meeting.
The goal of the project LIFE ARTEMIS is to contribute to the reduction of the harmful impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity by increasing public awareness an by setting up an efficient early warning and rapid response framework for invasive alien species in forests.
Project objectives to be achieved by the project are:
1. Increase awareness of the general public, in particularly of private forest owners, of threats caused by invasive alien species to forests.
2. Establish an efficient national institutional framework for early detection and rapid response for alien species in forests.
3. Improve the national capacity for early detection of alien species in forests by mobilising and training professionals and volunteers.
Increased awareness of the general public and of specific target audiences will be achieved by running a general national awareness campaign on alien species. Additionally, two campaign showcases will demonstrate approaches to engage volunteers:
(1) An area-based campaign in an urban protected area will work towards engaging volunteers in IAS surveying and eradicating alien plants.
(2) A species-based campaign will mobilise forest owners to detect an alien fungus, which is threatening maple trees, and encourage them remove infected trees to help limit spreading of the disease.
Based on the capacity assessment of existing institutions and members of the civil society, a national institutional framework for early warning and rapid response (EWRR) will be established. Cadres of professionals and volunteers for the EWRR will be established through specific training. As a support tool, a dedicated national information system for alien species will be developed to document and share information on alien species.
