On Sunday, 2nd February 2025, BALKANI Wildlife Society and WWF Bulgaria celebrated World Wetlands Day with a series of engaging activities at the Dragoman Marsh. Located between Sofia and the town of Dragoman, the Dragoman Marsh was almost completely drained before political changes in 1990, when the marsh started to slowly recover its hydrological regime. Today, it is classified as a Natura 2000 site and many rare bird species have since recolonised the marsh.
The World Wetland Day events presented the importance of wetland restoration to an interested local audience, highlighting issues threatening the marsh ecosystem, such as the inflow of untreated wastewater from the town of Dragoman, hydrological alterations, accumulation of biomass in the marsh, and intensified agriculture.
The festivities kicked off with "Vitan the Frog – an adventure turned into a rescue mission," a captivating presentation of an educational children's book followed by an interactive workshop. The book tells the story of the unique migration of the common frog (Rana temporaria) to another wetland in Western Bulgaria, capturing the imagination of young and old alike.
Participants then joined on a guided walk and birdwatching activity at the Dragoman Marsh. Although it was cold, the group enjoyed some sunshine as they were guided through the wetland. Children and adults observed different species of herons flying over the marsh and some lucky participants even got a glimpse of a crane couple with their grown chick before they hid among the wetland vegetation.
The afternoon featured several presentations highlighting ongoing conservation efforts and unique artistic activities. Experts from the BALKANI Wildlife Society showcased their impactful work, including bird ringing camps and camera trap monitoring. Ornithologists shared information about the return of the crane as a nesting species in Bulgaria and about their regular observations. Artist Maria Nalbantova presented insights into her "Paradise Marsh" exhibition at the National Gallery and her thought-provoking artwork "Shameless Ashes," which was featured in Sofia and Berlin.
The celebration continued on February 3rd and 4th with interactive presentations and quizzes at the Dragoman School, reaching 110 students from 1st to 6th grade. These sessions fostered a deeper understanding of wetland ecosystems and the importance of their preservation.
The restoration activities in the Dragoman Marsh aim to seek the best solutions for biodiversity restoration and maintenance, long-term carbon sequestration and the establishment of local economic practices. Learn more about theWaterLANDS Action Site here.
