30 Dec
Climate, Doğa & Kültür, Mobile Pastoralism, Nature & Culture, News, Small-Scale Fisheries

Join Our Team at Yolda Initiative!

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We are looking to hire either: • a Programme Expert or • a Programme Officer depending on the qualifications of the applicants. At Yolda Initiative, we are dedicated to biodiversity conservation, tackling the climate crisis and preserving sustainable land and sea use systems. If you share our vision, we’d love to hear from you! 📍 Location: Çanakkale (preferred) or Ankara (acceptable). 📩 Application deadline: January 13, 2025.
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27 Dec
Climate, Nature & Culture, News

🌍 Conserving Patara Special Environmental Protected Area 🌿

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As a consultant to the International Union for Conservation of Nature - Center for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN MED), Yolda Initiative has been tasked with developing the management and action plan for the Patara Special Environmental Protected Area (SEPA) in Antalya, Türkiye. This area is a pilot site within the framework of the Mediterranean-level RESCOM project. 🐠 Patara SEPA is a site of exceptional ecological, cultural and archaeological value. Its unique multi-biome ecosystems and rich historical significance highlight the critical need for sustainable management to protect its natural values and cultural heritage for future generations.
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11 Nov
Climate, Mobile Pastoralism, Nature & Culture, News, Small-Scale Fisheries

Yolda contributes to the to multiple objectives of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters”.

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We are proud to announce that our Saros Bay Conservation and Restoration Planning Project has received endorsement from the European Commission as playing a central role in contributing to multiple objectives of the EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters". This endorsement not only strengthens our commitment to protecting and restoring this ecologically and culturally rich area along Turkey’s Aegean coast but also highlights the importance of our project in driving transformative change in the Mediterranean. It integrates our work into the broader European commitment to marine #conservation and #sustainability.
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04 Jun
Nature & Culture, News

Notes from SBI-4 Side Event

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The fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (#SBI4) in Nairobi focused on achieving #BiodiversityPlan targets. Our side-event, co-organized with UNU-IAS and partners, discussed local subsidy impacts on Cultural Landscapes and Seascapes. We presented a global study's preliminary findings, addressing policy coherence and reconciling nature's values.
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16 Apr
Mobile Pastoralism, Nature & Culture, News

New Publication: A Retro-Innovative Perspective for Sustainable Economies: Mobile Pastoralism

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The final report of our project, "A Retro-Innovative Perspective for Sustainable Economies: Mobile Pastoralism," has been published. It offers economic sustainability strategies for Sarıkeçili mobile pastoralists, focusing on integrating their products into modern markets. Access the full report (in Turkish) and workshop excerpts here.
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12 Feb
fp, Mobile Pastoralism, Nature & Culture, News

Regional Workshop on Mobile Pastoralism and Vultures Report

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We are pleased to present the report from the “Regional Workshop on Mobile Pastoralism and Vultures,” organized by Yolda Initiative, Vulture Conservation Foundation, and the Macedonian Ecological Society. This workshop highlighted the importance of sustainable pastoralism for vulture conservation and biodiversity, fostering dialogue and collaboration between pastoralists and conservationists.
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23 Jun
Nature & Culture, News

New Membership: The International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative

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Yolda has been endorsed as Turkey's first member of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI). The initiative focuses on conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable resource use in rural ecosystems. As part of this global network, Yolda is committed to supporting harmony with nature and preserving local cultures for sustainable resource management.
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24 May
Nature & Culture, News, Small-Scale Fisheries

A Fieldwork with Small Scale Fisheries in İzmir

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As part of our ongoing project on small-scale fisheries, we conducted fieldwork in İzmir, focusing on mapping fishing areas and categorizing methods. We explored traditional techniques, like the Turkish blanket net, alongside innovative practices such as digital fish marketing. Challenges remain due to the lack of a regional fisheries approach in current legislation.
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06 Apr
Nature & Culture, News, Small-Scale Fisheries

A Fieldwork with Small Scale Fisheries in Edremit Bay

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As part of our "Cultural Landscapes-based Assessment" project, we conducted fieldwork in Edremit Bay, visiting fishing areas and engaging with small-scale fishers and stakeholders. Key concerns include the impacts of industrial fishing on biodiversity and the lack of localized fishing regulations. We aim to address these challenges through multi-actor conservation strategies.
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23 Mar
Nature & Culture, News

A Cultural Landscapes-based Assessment: Coexistence of Nature and Culture on the Aegean coast of Turkey

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Our project, "A Cultural Landscapes-based Assessment: Coexistence of Nature and Culture on the Aegean coast of Turkey," maps traditional practices that sustainably coexist with high biodiversity areas. Supported by the Turquoise Coast Environment Fund-Turkey, it includes fieldwork and stakeholder meetings to address local challenges and foster collaboration. 
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