The Akrotiri wetland system in Cyprus is one of the most important biodiversity
hotspots in the Eastern Mediterranean, supporting thousands of migratory and
breeding waterbirds, and is an internationally protected Ramsar site. However,
pollution, hydrological disruption, and development pressures have caused significant
ecological degradation.
This project will deliver urgent, visible habitat restoration actions to improve wetland ecosystem conditions and support biodiversity recovery.
This amount has been used for sediment sampling, pollutant analysis, excavation and reed clearance
have donated the initial amount of € 10.000,- that was doubled by us to € 20.000
to improve the habitat of many migrating birds that depend on these wetlands
This project directly addresses urgent conservation needs in one of the most important wetland systems in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean. By restoring degraded habitats at Lake Makria and Akrotiri Salt Lake, it will improve conditions for internationally important migratory and breeding waterbirds, including species such as Ferruginous Duck and Black-winged Stilt.
The combination of habitat restoration, ecological monitoring, and strategic planning will deliver both immediate biodiversity gains and long-term conservation impact. It will also strengthen the resilience of a Ramsar site under increasing environmental pressure, ensuring the preservations of its ecological functions.
Funds will be allocated to staff costs for project coordination and sediment sampling and pollutant analysis at Lake Makria, and excavation and reed clearance works to restore open-water habitat at Lake Makria.
Additional resources will support abiotic and biotic sampling at Akrotiri Salt Lake to inform management
actions. A further amount will be used to develop a costed, prioritised restoration action plan for the wider Akrotiri Peninsula through stakeholder consultation.
BirdLife Cyprus is committed to full transparency and responsible use of all funds received. All expenditure will be dedicated exclusively to agreed activities and recorded through internal financial systems, supported by invoices and official documentation. Staff costs will be allocated through internal financial records linked to project delivery. Spending will be regularly reviewed to ensure proper use of funds and alignment with project objectives. BirdLife Cyprus has a proven record in transparent management of national and EU-funded conservation projects. At project end, a clear narrative and financial report will be provided, including results achieved and photographic documentation of key actions.
BirdLife Cyprus has achieved major conservation successes through science-based action, advocacy and collaboration. We have implemented pioneering habitat restoration and protected area management projects. We helped prevent the extinction of Cyprus’ most threatened bird, the Griffon Vulture, through coordinated EU-funded conservation projects addressing key threats. We successfully advocated for the recognition and designation of 34 Important Bird Areas into the Natura 2000 network. Through over 20 years of monitoring, awareness campaigns and policy work, bird trapping levels in key areas have declined by approximately 90% since 2002. We are engaging and inspiring over 2000 children annually through environmental education activities.
Find out more on their own website: HomePage – BirdLife Cyprus