Project ORCHIS - Orchids researches, conservation and habitats in Strandzha, CB005.1.12.025 is co-financed by the European
union through the INTERREG program CBC-Bulgaria-Turkey IPA 2014-2020 (CCI №2014TC16I5CB005). It is a joint initiative of
Demirköy Forestry, Turkey and Non-profit Organization for preservation One Nature, Bulgaria. The project has a duration
of 1 year and a budget of 109,456.21 euro.
Plants know no political boundaries which are imposed on the mountain. Although separated by a wall, vascular plants face
the same threats and need united efforts to study and protect them. Because of their biological and ecological peculiarities,
orchids are suited as an indicator for the condition of the habitats in which they live. The difficulties identifying these
species on place exclude them from most monitoring programs and methodologies, therefore orchids often remain unstudied and
unprotected. The use of innovative technologies will allow representatives of the target groups to monitor the orchids and
their habitat on place, in the mountains that is sparsely populated, with rugged terrain and incomplete Internet coverage.
The main objective of Project ORCHIS is to improve the capacity for nature protection, sustainable use and management of
common natural resources through cooperation initiatives in the cross-border area.
ORCHIS envisions development and implementation of joint conservation activities specifically on the orchid species in the
protected area of Strandzha with the help of innovative concept - using specialized software to aid the determination of
species and assess their habitat status.
The main activities are conduction of a field studies to reveal the species composition, number and distribution of wild
orchids on the territory of Strandzha Mountain and the development and implementation of specialized software for their
determination and monitoring on terrain.
Want to submit an idea, suggestion or just want to get in touch? You can contact us by email.