The Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats

TURKEY As large as, France+UK 70 million population Surrounded by beautiful coasts Old natural forests 93% Number of endemic plants 3062 However, 85% of the land is subject to soil erosion of varying degrees. Each year, 1,4 billions of tons of soil is displaced with 500 million tons lost into seas, lakes and reservoirs.

TURKEY As a result Decline of agricultural production Reduction of livestock Farmers flock to cities, forming shanty communities Causing immense socio economic problems Severe Soil Erosion Because of Over population Agricultural malpractice, overgrazing Conversion of forests into cropland, Forest fires, illegal timbering

TEMA founded in 1992, is the largest environmental NGO in Turkey with over supporters and 555 voluntary representatives in all provinces. TEMA’s mission is to raise public awareness of environmental problems specifically soil erosion, desertification, climate change, deforestation, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss. TEMA FOUNDATION

Promotes public participation and social responsibility for the conservation of nature through volunteer programs and education, Works together with rural communities to create environmentally friendly income resources, Acts with partners (local, national, international, public and private organizations and communities), Works together with the government to establish lasting and widespread solutions.

ACTIVE INTERNATIONALLY ACTIVE INTERNATIONALLY  An accredited NGO of UNCCD and partner of UNEP and UNEP-MAP  Observer NGO to UNFCCC  Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC  Member of IUCN  Executive Board Member of MIO-ECSDE  Executive Board Member of EEB  Member of EUROSITE  TEMA-D (Germany) and TEMA-NL (The Netherlands)  Publisher of Worldwatch Institute’s State of the World and other publications in Turkey  Partner of DRYNET project among many other international projects

TEMA believes that a strong education policy and program is vital in creating a conscious public, aware of the serious environmental and economic threats posed by environmental degradation like soil erosion, deforestation, climate change, loss of biodiversity. Training of the trainees: TEMA organizes seminars, panels and conferences in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, General Directorate of Security and universities. So far, more than 2 million people attended TEMA’s various education programs. TEMA has more than 60 publications. EDUCATION

For the first time in Turkish history, a law on conservation of soil and land management is issued by the efforts of TEMA. TEMA volunteers from all parts of the society actively lobbied for the approval of this law by the parliament. “The Law on Soil Protection and Land Improvement” was approved in Provincial Soil Protection Councils also includeTEMA representatives. Another legal success of TEMA is the ratification of “Grazeland Law” by the Turkish General Assembly in 1998 which has not been passed by parliament for 38 years. ADVOCACY

TEMA Foundation started a petition campaign called “1 million signature against 1 signature” as a reaction to the attempts of the Government to make a change in the Constitution that will allow so-called 2-B forest lands (the land that has lost the forest quality) to be put on sale. This activity is combined with the Erosion Combat Week (17-25 November 2007) and in 72 cities, 22 districts and 94 points, signature stands are located by TEMA volunteers and so far signatures are collected In principle, TEMA opens lawsuits against wrong administrative activities and decisions that affect the national environment in a negative way and becomes a partner in lawsuits on regional problems. ADVOCACY

TEMA Youth organized in 65 Universities TEMA Children in over 300 primary schools Graduate TEMA in over 13 cities 72 representatives Organisational Activities

TEMA believes land degradation and poverty reduction in Turkey can’t be solved only through education, legal struggle or advocacy, and applies demonstration projects. TEMA has implemented over 100 demonstration projects on:  Sustainable Rural Development  Reforestation Projects  Biodiversity Conservation DEMONSTRATIONPROJECTS

The main activities of rural development projects aiming to prevent erosion and protecting the natural habitats are: Trainings, Improvement of livestock breeding, pasture and grazeland rehabilitation, promotion of fodder crops production, soil protection (terracing etc.), alternative income resources (beekeeping, fruit culture, vineyard, greenhouses), infrastructure improvement, irrigation. RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Farmers Trainings (40 projects) farmers in 168 villages are trained on environmental awareness, soil analysis, combating erosion, fodder crops production, livestock breeding, beekeeping, fruit culture, vineyard, greenhouses. Livestock breeding (5 projects) 57 stables are constructed in 6 villages. Total cattle: 542, total sheep/goat: 2135 Total value (2006) : 3,5 million YTL.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Pasture rehabilitation (17 projects) Da rehabilitated. Pasture yield increased (from 100 to 300 kg/Da).Total value (2006) : 7,5 million YTL Fodder Crops Production (25 projects) 255 tons planted in da tons produced. Total value (2006): 6 million YTL Soil Protection and Terracing (6 projects) Total length: km

RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Alternative Income Resources Beekeeping (10 projects) Implemented in 56 villages, honey yield increased from 12 kg to 20 kg per hive. Total value (2006): 1,6 million YTL. Fruit culture (21 projects) Over saplings planted in da. Total value (2006): 3,2 million YTL. Vineyard (10 projects, Da) Total value (2006): YTL. Greenhouses (5 projects, 10 villages, 23 da) Total value (2006): YTL.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

REFORESTATION Diverse Reforestation Projects 70 projects 4,7 million saplings ha area Oak Acorn Project 640 million oak acorn ha area

REFORESTATION Şekerpınar Ağaçlandırma Sahası

REFORESTATION TEM Otoyolu Tekirdağ Kınalı Kavşağı,

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