Within the scope of the ongoing Co-NatureGuard project, funded under the EU-supported Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, a working meeting was held in Istanbul, Turkey.

During the meeting, the project partners discussed the main goals, implementation stages, and future activities of the project. Special focus was given to analyzing existing practices in forest fire monitoring and management, strengthening coordination mechanisms among partners, and sharing experiences.

The project envisions the implementation of modern technologies for protected areas, including the procurement of 14 thermal drones for seven target protected areas, as well as the development of fire management plans for six protected areas: Tusheti, Pshav-Khevsureti, Vashlovani, Kolkheti, Algeti, and Chachuna Protected Areas.

Within the framework of the Co-NatureGuard project, various training sessions, workshops, and conferences are also scheduled to be organized, which will contribute to enhancing forest fire prevention and management capacities in protected areas.