National Workshop on National Red Data Books in Turkey: Current Status and Future Action

Ankara, Turkey, 7-8 December 2006

IUCN Turkish National Committee organized a workshop to decide on the process of producing “National Red Data Books in Turkey” with the financial and technical support of IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation. The workshop coordinated by TEMA Foundation in partnership with the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forestry gathered around 100 participants. Experts from the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forestry, academicians, NGO representatives, and IUCN representatives gathered to present the current status of the national red data books, to discuss the process for finalizing, maintaining and updating red data books of Turkey. Participants discussed “how national red data books can assist in implementing national policies on nature conservation”. The workshop concluded to establish working groups on taxonomic classes, and a steering committee to lead the process. Experts discussed how to manage and update data on red list species and how existing biodiversity databases can be incorporated into this process. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry was present in all the discussions. The workshop has significantly contributed for creating a consensus on the process and initiated the preparation of many national red lists in close future.

More information on the meeting is available from Yesim Erkan, Workshop Coordinator, TEMA Foundation, yesim.erkan@tema.org.tr