Bonn, 12 August 2011 - The EU Commission
has given its final stamp of approval to a new five-year
LIFE+ project with the aim of safeguarding the Lesser White-fronted Goose
(Anser erythropus) along its European flyway. The Greek
BirdLife partner, the Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS),
will lead the project which is set to kick off in September
2011. Other partners include further organizations from
Greece as well as from Bulgaria, Finland and Hungary. The
UNEP/AEWA Secretariat will also be a project partner and
beneficiary.

The new project will build on the results
and recommendations of the previous LWfG EU LIFE project
led by WWF Finland
which ended in 2009 and is expected to be instrumental
in implementing key conservation activities along the European
flyway as determined in the AEWA International LWfG Single
Species Action Plan.

Project tasks of the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat will include
facilitating the drafting of National Action Plans for
the species in Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary. In addition
the Secretariat will provide the link to international
conservation activities being carried out elsewhere along
the flyways of the Western Palearctic LWfG populations,
including the organization of the 2^nd Meeting of the AEWA
Lesser White-fronted Goose International Working Group
foreseen to take place in Greece in late 2012.

For more information please contact Ms.
Nina Mikander, Coordinator for the Lesser White-fronted
Goose or visit the AEWA LWfG
news page.