On April 23rd, 2010 four recently retired regional directors of the Dutch nature conservation organization Natuurmonumenten (http://www.natuurmonumenten.nl/content/we-protect-nature) set out on a cycling tour. Although retired, these four nature lovers continue to work and make efforts to support the European nature conservation. The cycling tour of Gert van der Slikke, Feiko Prins, Jan Willem van Rijn van Alkemade, and Juun de Boer began at Naardermeer Lake. Situated in the central part of the Netherlands, the lake is one of the oldest reserves in the country. The long journey is planned to reach the other end of the continent, in the Sakar Mountain (SE Bulgaria), at the Bulgarian-Turkish national border. The four cyclists are expected to finish their tour on June 10th-11th.Green Balkans is a partner within this ambitious tour, being also the host of the four enthusiasts in the Sakar region.

Why Sakar? The border mountain has preserved extremely rich biodiversity, falling within the scope of the international initiative European Green Belt (www.europeangreenbelt.org).The Sakar region is one of the last strongholds of the majestic Imperial Eagle in Europe. This area holds Bulgaria’s densest and most stable population of the species. With its imposing presence and size – approx. 2m wing span, this bird is the symbol of raptors in Europe. At the same time, in many European countries this species has gone extinct, as its survival faces numerous threats. Thus, this magnificent bird symbolizes the beauty and the vulnerability of European wildlife. The Imperial Eagles inhabiting the Bulgarian-Turkish border area represent the stepping stonebetween the European population of the species and the eagles in Asia. This fact furthers the significance of the conservation of the region and the eagles it harbors.

Why is this cycling tour carried out? Definitely, not only for the long cycling exercise or for direct observation of Imperial Eagles, although this could be a reason, too. The main purpose of this challenge is focusing the attention on the importance of protecting the nature of Europe. Moreover, this noble initiative aims at recruiting support for all those organizations and people that make efforts to preserve wildlife. Often, these are the things conservationists need most - public support and understanding.

The 3,500 km cycling tour runs across nature reserves in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria. All these reserves are included in the European Ecological Network, or, in other words, form the backbone of nature in Europe. Often, these regions suffer the negative impact of water and air pollution, intensive agriculture, and urbanization. The conservationists in these areas maintain the reserves with huge enthusiasm and minimum financial resources.

For additional information http://www.fietsenvoordekeizerarend.nl/index.htm.

Gradimir Gradev
e-mail: ggradev@greenbalkans