SUPPORTING PEOPLE CONSERVING NATURE IN THE CAUCASUS

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Bio-diversity Hotspots Worldwide

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Prioritizing investment in areas rich with life is crucial.

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THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION

The isthmus between the Black and Caspian seas forms a complex but unified ecosystem.

South Caucasus Landscapes The Caucasus ecoregion — an area the size of France:

• 9 of the 11 world climate types

• Peaks higher than the Alps

• Areas below sea level

• Virgin forests, subtropical forests, semi-deserts, pastures and wetlands

Tusheti National Park Mtirala National Park

Lake Arpi National Park 5

6 Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Georgia

7 Kolkheti National Park, Georgia 7

Khosrov State Reserve, Armenia 8

9 Kazbegi National Park, Georgia

10 Vashlovani Protected Areas, Georgia

Khustup Sanctuary, Armenia 11

12 Diliijan National Park, Armenia

Astounding Fauna

• 150 mammals live in the Caucasus

• The highest level of endemism in a temperate zone— 1/5 of mammals, 1/4 of the plants can only be found in the region

• Key stopover point for many migratory birds

Caucasus Leopard

West Caucasian Tur

13 Bezoar Goat

Caucasian/Persian Leopard

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Caucasus Leopard

• The largest leopard subspecies

• Native to the Caucasus mountains, northern Iran, eastern Turkey

• Less than 100 leopards exist in the South Caucaus ecoregion.

15 Armenian Mouflon

16 Caucasus Leopard

East Caucasian Tur

Brown Bear Caucasian Viper

Goitred Gazelle

Bezoar Goats are found only in the eastern part of the Caucasus. Around 3,000 exist in the Khosrov Nature reserve CNF funding will support the breeding and reintroduction of these endangered animals.

17 Bezoar Goat

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Imperial Eagle

Kestrel

Imperial Eagle

Caspian Snowcock

Eurasian Spoonbill

Astounding Flora

• 6500 species of vascular plants

• 1600 are endemic (25% percent)

• One of world’s largest old-growth forests in a temperate zone

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Swallowtail Butterfly on flower

Delphinium pyramidatum

Lilium szovitsianum

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Iris atropatana Wild Orchid

Kintrishi Protected Areas, Georgia 20 Lagodekhi Nature Reserve

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BEFORE Borjomi Visitor’s Center in 2010

AFTER CNF funds helped refurbish the exterior and interior of the Visitor’s Center in July 2011

CNF funds support tourist facilities and maintain trails, fostering tourism development

CNF supports Park Rangers

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Salary supplements provide rangers with a living wage, helping ensure patrol and monitoring.

Horns of endangered Caucasian Turs are prized trophies for poachers.

CNF funds support capital purchases such as jeeps and fire trucks

When fire broke out in Borjomi National Park, CNF helped by buying two fire trucks and gear.

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CNF

50% Funding (minimum)‏

Ministry of Environment

PA

Framework Agreement

50% Funding (maximum)‏

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Charitable Trust

Limited Focus

Endowment Built to Last

CNF’s endowment covers administrative costs. All new monies go to directly to the parks and their programs!

Campaign—15 Parks by 2015 By 2015 CNF aims to support 15 parks covering 1.5 million acres

Campaign Goals

• 15 Parks

• $1,500,000/ yr. in grants

• $15,000,000 in new funds raised

• >1.5 million acres protected

Campaign 2015 — Fundraising

Existing--$20 million

New Private--$6 million

New Public--$9 million

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2012 Red Deer Reintroduction Project

Dilijan’s 84,000 acres of pristine forests were once home to the Caucasian red deer. The unique sub-species is one of the most endangered animals in the region. CNF is teaming up with WWF to bring this beautiful animal back to the Armenia

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2013 support for the first transboundry park in the South Caucasus

Lake Arpi National Park, in north-western Armenia, and Javakheti National Park in Georgia, together make up a spectacular mountain plateau that houses grasslands, lakes and wetlands. The area is globally recognized as an important staging and breeding ground for more than 140 bird species.

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