Center for Applied Ecology
Hanulova 5/d, 844 40 Bratislava
Tel./fax: +421 7 654 121 33 ; Tel.: +421 7 654 121 62
E-mail: daphne@changenet.sk
Web: www.fns.uniba.sk/zp/daphne or www.seps.sk/zp/daphne

The nymph DAPHNE was chased by the God Apollo until she hid herself by changing into a beautiful bush with sweet smelling flowers.

Where will Slovakia's endemic Daphne arbuscula hide when it's habitat is destroyed by man?

What will other threatened plants and animals have to change into in order to survive?

Established in 1993: Since it's establishment in 1993, DAPHNE has been focused on the conservation and restoration of Slovakia's natural areas.

We have achieved many successes but it has been a difficult task and there is still much to accomplish.

• Management (1200 ha) and restoration (200 ha) of meadows in the Morava river floodplain area web : www.web-net.sk/chodnik
• Estimation of optimal water regime in National Nature Reserve Abrod
• Ex- situ preservation of endangered Lindernia procumbens in Morava Floodplain
• Management plan and evaluation of meadow biodiversity in Kopanec-Javorina, National Park Slovenský raj
• Management plan for sustainable utilization of meadows, pastures and wetlands in the village Velké Borové
• Monitoring the influence of artifical snow on the ski- slope vegetation in Jasná, National Park Nízke Tatry

• Pathway through Morava River Floodplain web : www.web-net.sk/chodnik with 21 informative tables concerning the natural value of the area. A map has also been prepared
• Information campaign "Wetlands For Life" that included a brochure about the value and functions of wetlands and presentations for students and public
• Information campaign "Meadows for People" that included a public opinion poll, lectures for adults and students, media activities and an information booklet
• Leaflets and presentations "Not this way…", which focused on the public's involvement in conservation through the EIA process
• Trainings for teachers on how to include environmental education in their classes

• Framework for Slovakia's National Biodiversity Strategy

• Strategy for sustainable agricultural development in the lower section of the Morava River

• Trialog: conception for sustainable development and nature conservation in the Morava River area

• Trilateral cooperation between NGOs DAPHNE (Slovakia), WWF Austria, Distelverein (Austria) and Veronica (Czech Republic) concerning the management of the trilateral Morava River Floodplain areas. Organized the first and second annual trilateral conferences on "Revitalization of the Morava and Dyje Floodplains" and "Sustainable Agriculture in the Morava and Dyje Floodplains" respectively. The third trilateral conference, "Tourism development in the Morava and Dyje Floodplains" is planned for 1997
• WWF Green Danube Project: Analysis of "Ecological Agriculture in the Záhorská Lowland"
• Organization of a regional meeting of member countries for the Convention on Biological Diversity in Central and Eastern Europe
• Organization of Eurosite Conference

• DAPHNE magazine , two issues per year 1997/1 - 1997/2 - 1998/1
• "Wetlands For Life" educational publication
• "Morava River" self guide to nature
• "Through the Kvaèianska and Prosiecka valley" self guide to nature
• Morava River Informational Pathway map
• "Coloring nature" coloring book

• Development and implementation of a meadow management plan that includes the preparation and monitoring of financial mechanisms for farmers and conflict resolution with other constituents
• Organization of a national network of environmental and community NGO's which will support a platform for "Sustainable Watersheds". The platform will be established from an analysis of what has caused the loss of watershed capacity in Slovakia and will contain alternatives to current watershed use
• Continued restoration projects in the Morava Floodplain with a goal of returning all arable land in the Ramsar area to Floodplain meadows (1,200 ha)
• Preparation of a user friendly manual that describes the strategies and methods needed for a successful restoration project. The manual will be distributed to NGOs, GOs and private firms. DAPHNE will also develop training in accordance with the manual
• Establishment of an independent team of experts for assessing EIA studies

• Improving and protecting the Biodiversity found in their natural areas.
• Applying ecological and scientific techniques to restore degraded ecosystems
• Solving conflicts between nature conservation and constituents.
• Influencing the development of policy and legislation that is beneficial to nature conservation
• Increasing knowledge, promoting values and encouraging public participation and responsibility in nature conservation
• Encouraging cooperation between private and public institutions and organizations on a local, national and international level

DAPHNE's activities would not be possible without the help of individuals, organizations and institutions that support our efforts.

WWF International, Environmental Partnership for Central and Eastern Europe, Phare for Danube Environmental Program, Foundation for Support of Civil Actions (Phare Program), Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic-GEF, Administration of the PLA Zahorie, Administration of NP's Slovensky Raj and Mala Fatra. The Royal Netherlands Embassy, Eric Hosting Trust, US Peace Corps, United States Information Agency, Slovak Agency for the Environment, Open Society Fund, Municipality of Devin, Devinska Nova Ves, Stupova, Zahor, Vysoka Pri Morava, and Velke Levare. Special thanks to Mr. Calestus Juma, Mr. Charles Merril, Mr. Branislav Hanacek, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. and Herlitz.

• PhD. Jan effer Director
• M.Sc. Viera Stanová Vice Director
• M.Sc. Michaela Farkašovská Project Manager
• M.Sc. Miroslava Èierna Project Manager
• M.Sc. Andrea Viceníkova Project Manager
• M.Sc. Raso Lasák Civil Servant
• M.Sc. Dobromil Galvánek Civil Servant
• B.S. Heather M. Ervin Peace Corp.

1997 Budget/ Expenditures:

• Total Income 3,037,982
• Total Cost 2,437,867