Whitewater kayaker and ornithology expert, Bor Mihelič, was a part of the BRT5 crew for the entire descent of the Sava, performing a bird survey in the nesting season of the entire 258 km of Sava River in Slovenia – the first continuous survery of this kind. His data and findings were a base for his diploma thesis and they now provide a base of data which local conservation groups can use to further protect stretches of the Sava.

Bor has been an active member of DOPPS since he was a child, and recently he has been involved and specialized in several surveys of cryptic and difficult bird species as Capercaillie, Black grouse, Hazel grouse, Corncrake and especially water birds, specifically regularly monitoring Kingfishers, a Natura 2000 species in Slovenia. Every year he participates in the International Midwinter water bird count (IWC).

BRT5 provided a unique opportunity to monitor the entire stretch of Sava in Slovenia for waterfowl in the nesting period in one go, by a kayak. Along the way he recorded each water bird and its location. He was especially focusing on the following Natura 2000 species:

Kingfisher – Alcedo atthis
White-throated dipper – Cinclus cinclus
Lesser spotted eagle – Clanga pomarina
Purple heron – Ardea purpurea
Great egret – Ardea alba
Little egret – Egretta garzetta
Little bittern – Ixobrychus minutus
Squacco heron – Ardeola ralloides
Ferruginous duck – Aythya nyroca
Black stork- Ciconia nigra
Night heron – Nycticorax nycticorax
Pygmy cormorant – Microcarbo pygmeus
Glossy ibis – Plegadis falcinellus
Common tern – Sterna hirundo
Little tern – Sterna albifrons

The gathered data, analyzed in his diploma Celosten popis gnezdilk reke Save s pomočjo kajaka (Comprehensive inventory of nesting birds of the Sava River with the help of a kayak), are very important for future research and comparisons, since many parts of the river are not accessible to the fieldworkers from the banks. We looked into the density and species diversity of birds in the various parts of the Sava and of course the impact of HPPs on birds.

Entire diploma with results available HERE.

The post BIRD SURVEY OF THE SAVA RIVER appeared first on Balkan River Defence.

One thing that makes BRT different from other river conservation projects is how we combine adventure sports to science and nature conservation to expose the problem of dams, give a voice to the rivers and those fighting for them and also work towards solutions and alternatives.

So, we are excited to say that during BRT5, we were performing an exciting environmental DNA study (eDNA)*, using this cutting-edge technology with the help of renowned ichthyology experts, to do the following:

• Create the first ever complete eDNA sampling of the Sava River in Slovenia.
• Deliver a map of the general presence of Natura 2000 species along the Sava River in Slovenia.
• Comparative study of fish biodiversity levels in reservoirs and free flowing stretches.
• Article(s) published in renown academic journals.
• Uniting fish experts with the goal of providing data to help fight the proposed dams.
• Bridge the gap between science, activism and nature conservation and expose this in mainstream local, national and international media.

Environmental DNA is a modern research technique performed by molecular biologists. During Balkan Rivers Tour 5 our team was taking eDNA samples from strategic and pre determined locations along the 258 km of the Sava River in Slovenia. This was done from the seat of our kayaks, pumping water through special filters to catch fragments of organic matter, which will later be used to identify DNA present in that body of water. Now, after the tour, experts are analyzing the samples, checking for presence of Natura 2000 species (for instance Danube salmon Hucho hucho), which will help us to be actively involved in the legal processes for protecting the Sava River and tributaries in the follow up phase of Balkan Rivers Tour 5.

We have pulled together an impressive crew of internationally recognized experts who have come together to make up our team, leading the design of the study as well as the data analysis and follow-up. They are Aleš Snoj (fish conservation geneticist, University of Ljubljana), David Stanković (eDNA expert from Slovenian National Institute for Biology) and Nejc Bravničar (Ph.D. student at University of Ljubljana, using genomic data for conservation purposes).

The findings from our resarch will be made available to any NGO, students or researchers who are working towards the protection of the Sava catchment. Our intention is that this study will help small, local NGO’s by providing a base line of data that can be used as the foundation for further, in depth research.

The act of paddling a large stretch of the river makes BRT5 a unique vehicle for scientific studies. And it was pretty fun too.

The post ENVIRONMENTAL DNA STUDY appeared first on Balkan River Defence.

This is why the Balkan River Tour 5 crew kayaked the length of their home river, the Sava River in Slovenia.

11 days.  258km of paddling. 1 river.  2 forks.  Sava. From June 1^st to June 11^th 2021.

During the 11 days on the water the crew explored this stunning river, followed by media crew capturing moving and still images to later be shared with broad public via our new full-feature documentary.

 WHY DOES THE SAVA NEED HELP?
The Sava River is facing a serious threat:

– With 9 existing (highly destructive) hydropower plants (HPPs) on the Sava River in Slovenia, there are also plans for as many as 10 new HPPs in Slovenia.

WHAT IS THE MAIN MESSAGE OF BRT5?
No new dams on the Sava. Why?

• The Sava is an integral part of Europe’s greater freshwater ecosystem, home to Natura 2000 and IUCN Red List species like the Danube salmon (Hucho hucho).
• The Sava needs better biodiversity protection measures as well as support for sustainable ecotourism and local economy which can produce more revenue than destructive industry.
• Instead of mass destruction through HPPs, which is often heavily subsidized by tax payer’s money and which is has been proven to enable rampant corruption, we demand from decision-makers and investment institutions to back out from hydro and support cheaper and true green alternatives. What does this mean on the ground? Install solar panels on existing infrastructure, wind turbines on highways and start the transition to a sustainable economy with smaller general power consumption.

THE FOLLOWING WAS ALSO A PART OF THE BALKAN RIVERS TOUR 5:

eDNA RESEARCH
During our kayak descent of the Sava River, the BRT5 paddling crew collected water samples from numerous sites for environmental DNA (eDNA) research. A team of experts from Slovenia, Italy and Austria will use the collected samples to perform genetic analysis. This research will give a detailed insight into fish species occurrence in the Sava and provide a data-based comparison of species diversity in dammed vs. more natural parts of the river. This will be the first eDNA study of the Sava River.

FORMATION OF SLOVENIAN ALLIANCE FOR THE SAVA
BRD crew helped establish The Sava Coalition called Za Savo by inviting NGOs from Slovenia that work in public interest and towards preservation of biodiversity, to join. Together they are forming a united voice and a body that now acts as a counterpart towards commissions on the Sava that currently exist to further exploit Sava River for economic purposes, without taking into consideration biodiversity and wildlife.

The post BRT 5 | JUNE 2021 appeared first on Balkan River Defence.

Instead of using the usual BRT formula, one big, month-long event, we changed the concept to split the river conservation action into 3 separate weeks. A way to mix things up, to get to some seldom seen and under represented valleys, to explore some new rivers and above all to stay at the same place with the same people for a longer time, to make our efforts more focused and helpful. It turned out to be quite an effective and quite a wild year!

We set a basecamp for each week and used it as a place where we eat, sleep and develope a river defence plan. Each morning we explored a local river to kayak or fly fish and then returned to basecamp for workshops with local activists and tour participants. The last day of each week was reserved for flotilla followed by a film screening and a solid party.

Balkan Rivers Tour’s purpose has always been to expose amazing places and to directly help passionate locals fighting for their rivers. And BRT4 turned out to be an very productive way to do this! 

Week 1 | Romania: April 15-20th, 2019 

A promise made…
When you explore remote valley’s you meet locals who have a connection with their rivers. And some who are very brave and a bit crazy and are willing to take huge risks to protect these rivers. We found that Romania has some passionate river defenders, one of which is Catalin Campeanu, who was contacting us via emails and messages since our first tour in 2016. He joined us for BRT3 to share the plight of the stunning Romanian rivers and the dangers they face. Seeing determination and a spark in his eyes at the raging party at Tara Fest, deep in the canyon of that incredible turquoise Montenegrin river, we gave him a promise: “Catalin, we are coming to your neck of woods next year to do all we can to help you defend your river!”

The action-packed week between April 15th and 20th was one for the books. BRT gathered a diverse group of activists and 23 kayakers from 11 countries (Romania, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia and Mexico). We paddled 5 incredible rivers and spent countless hours discussing alternatives, solutions and creative ways to keep these rivers wild. The Bâsca Mica, Bâsca Mare, Bâsca Rozilei, Buzau and Jiu are all rivers that you have to experience in a kayak. We organized meetings with 2 mayors, something that Catalin and the local river defenders have been trying to get for years, and organized action days with local school groups, doing a river clean up and some kayaking games. 

Open Letter to the EU Commission
We visited the illegal hydro construction site on the Bâsca Mare and sent an open letter to: the European Commission, DG Environment, the Secretariat of the Bern Convention, the IUCN European Regional Office, the President of Romania, the Government of Romania, the Secretariat of the ICPDR, the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat and the Ramsar Convention Secretariat.

Our open letter can be read here. It outlined the laws being broken in Romania and ignored by the EU, the endangered species affected by this specific hydro dam, it highlighted sustainable tourism as a solution and outlined the state of the courts. It describes the Bâsca Mare River as a top asset of Romania’s natural heritage and one of the very few large rivers in the Romanian Carpathians not yet sacrificed for hydropower developments. (Of course there was also some kayaking, live music, a film screening and friendships developed and networks connected!)

*** UPDATE: On December 17th 2019, Romanian river defenders Catalin Campeanu and Calin Dejeu started a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign, fundraising to hire a lawyer and start a lawsuit against the illegal dam construction site on Basca Mare. They surpassed their goal of 10.000 RON (roughly 2.000 EUR) and have set in motion the lawsuit.

Full recap here: Wild Romanian Rivers

Week 2 | Slovenia: July 7-13th, 2019

The Soča River. It is where many of the Balkan River Defence (BRD) team learned to kayak. And many of us call this river home. The Soča is a main part of what motivated us to take-action and stand up for all the rivers of this region. So, for week 2 of BRT4, we welcomed river defenders, students, kayakers, professors and conservationists to our home!

Inaugural Students for Rivers Camp
There was a special energy to week 2 of BRT4…one focused on solutions. As the official kick off for BRD’s River Intellectuals initiative, the Student for Rivers Camp (SRC) brought university students from all over Europe, to Kamp Koren’s beautiful conference room, to put their heads together and dive into the existing research related to free-flowing and dammed rivers, as well develop solutions to the problem. It was a creative concept that brought 28 students, 20+ speakers (professors and experts) from 20 different countries to the classroom and to the river together! This created a solid base for River Intellectuals and they will be announcing info about the second SRC in Montenegro soon! 

Local River Heros
Day 3 of BRT4 was the highlight for many, with a special presentation from the original Soča River defenders – Žarko Mlekuž, Zoran Rutar, Miran Mihelič and Zdravko Likar –  a group of university students who stopped the construction of two dams (HPP Trnovo and HPP Kobarid) on the Soča in the 70’s. They used their brains, creativity and common sense to make sure this river is still running today for all of us to enjoy. Their presentation was full of information, old newspaper articles, laughs and an image of what the town of Bovec would look like if the dams had been constructed, where a massive reservoir would have filled the entire valley… stretches of river we kayaked and studied during BRT4 Soča, would be dry and dead. 

Free Soča Flotilla
Direct action is what we do. Sure, we have fun kayaking beautiful whitewater, we drink beer and hanging out. But turning this good energy into a collective voice is what makes our form or nature conservation different, effective and exciting. So, we took to the water again – 150 active river defenders/kayakers from 23 countries, from Peru and Nepal and everywhere in between! With a loud message of celebration, recognizing all that the free-flowing Soča gives – to local economy, to the tourism industry, and to the fishes. And with this, we also put forth another message…the idea of removing a barrier on the Soča. Of setting a new standard for the Balkans…that parts of Europe and America are re-wilding rivers and removing dams, which not only goes against the idea of building more, but introduces the possibility of freeing up 20 more km of the Soča for enjoyment, recreation, fishing and tourism.

Full recap here: Celebrating Slovenia’s Soča River

Week 3 | Bulgaria: September 24-29th, 2019

Bulgaria. A Balkan region BRT had never journeyed too. In September we hit the road with a small but mighty crew and were thrilled to meet an equally strong and crazy group of river and biodiversity defenders in this southeastern Balkan nation.

Bulgarian River Defence
Members from the fishing-club-turned-river-conservation NGO Balkanka, met us on day one and shared their river conservation stories and showed us their online database with photos, stats, flow measurements and info on almost every small hpp in the country (check it out here!). They were the recipient of Free Rivers Fund funding in 2019, and purchase flow monitoring equipment and now monitor flows downstream of dams, notifying the EU Commission for the Environment when dams are not meeting their minimum biological flow requirements. How’s that for organized, motivated and rebellious fishermen! We were super impressed by their stories and work. Their presentation was packed with images and stories about how Balkanka has become the most successful group protecting Bulgarian rivers from small hydropower dams. These guys are the coolest, bravest and most effective group of fishermen out there and they have our full respect and support! They went from stocking rivers to protecting them and have stopped the construction of many small hpps on Bulgarian Rivers. Thank you for all you do fishermen of Balkanka! If every fishing club in the world was like Balkanka, rivers would be very well defended!

Conservation organizations fighting for the Struma include Balkanka, Za Zemyata/Friends of the Earth Bulgaria, Nature School Vlahi and Balkani Wildlife Society and together they form a crazy group of fisherman, conservationists, scientists, and nature lovers who have created a web of river defence in Bulgaria. It quickly became our goal for the week to do whatever we could to support the efforts of these groups and get their messages heard nationally and internationally. And to experience their river, of course!

On-water protest 
The final day of BRT4 Bulgaria saw over 50 people take to the water in celebration of the Struma! In true BRT style, the news cameras followed and Ivan, president of Balkanka, spoke to two national TV stations about three main threats that the river faces; small hpp on tributaries, industrial pollution and the highway project. Then, we gathered at the put in with whistles and banners, and paddled and played our way down the Struma River. Local kayakers, fisherman, rafting companies and even the Bulgarian National Rafting team all made their voices heard, shouting loud and proud that the Struma River is an important Bulgarian waterway that should be respected and protected! The flotilla was followed by more interviews and beer and food at Reflip Rafting base, who provided free rafts and gears for flotilla participants.

Full recap here: Battling for Bulgarian Rivers

Are you ready for BRT5…

It feels like BRT4 just ended, and yet we are already into full-blown BRT5 planning and prep! But that’s how it goes when there are thousands of dams planned and so many rivers threatened by greedy and short-sighted energy development. So… get ready for Balkan Rivers Tour 5, which will be provoking the norms of nature conservation between April 24th and June 1st 2020. 

MORE INFO COMING SOON!

The post BRT 4 | APRIL, JULY, SEPTEMBER 2019 appeared first on Balkan River Defence.

With this in mind the program was full on for 32 days. We have visited 6 countries, kayaked on 9 rivers, joined forces with nearly 1.500 people from 19 countries and made 17 events with protests, flotillas and The Undamaged screenings.

The grand finale happened in Slovenia, with flotillas on rivers Mura and Sava and then on Ljubljanica that brought us right in front of the parliament building where we finished the tour with a solid creative action that resulted in getting a meeting with National Assembly president which gave all involved NGOs and initiatives a boost in direction of stopping unnecessary dam plans on the sunny side of Alps.

This was probably the most intense tour so far so words can’t give it justice, so take your time and take a look of the full gallery of photos and short videos on link bellow.

You can se media from our third tour here:

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

The post BRT 3 | SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2018 appeared first on Balkan River Defence.

This time the action was more straightforward. We focused on two rivers; Slovenia’s Soča and Montenegro’s Morača River. We started the tour by paddling the Soča – the emerald pearl of the Alps – from it’s source in Slovenia to the Adriatic sea in Italy.

Directly following the Soča, the Balkan Rivers Tour crew dove into exploration and adventures deep in the Dinaric Alps of Greece and Albania in search of the most special valleys where it is possible to ski tour, kayak and fly fish in one day. Our aim is was to expose the huge outdoor adventure potential of this region that is still blessed with pristine nature and free flowing rivers.

We finished the tour with a 7-day group event on Morača River; one of the most pristine and untouched river catchments in Europe. We paddled the Morača from it’s source in the mountains of Montenegro into Skadar Lake, where we the crossed the lake (and into Albania) and continued on the Bojana River all the way to Adriatic Sea. This weeklong paddle was packed with numerous events and actions and ended in true BRT style with Wild Party for Wild Rivers at Ada Bojana Beach. Partying, paddling and fun, that’s what BRT 2 was all about!

You can se media from our second tour here:

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

The post BRT 2 | MARCH TO MAY 2017 appeared first on Balkan River Defence.

BRT started as a crazy red line on a map and turned into a movement. It created an atmosphere where people are united in the fight for these rivers. Around the fire at the end of one of the 36 days of kayaking on the BRT 1, a biologist could mingle with a local villager, a fly fisherman with a whitewater kayaker, each person sharing their concern and connection to the river.

The first tour brought together around 2.000 people from 18 nations on the banks of 23 rivers in 6 Balkan countries. Covered by all regional national and many international media it sparked a movement to protect these stunning rivers.

You can see media from the first tour here:

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

The post BRT 1 | APRIL AND MAY 2016 appeared first on Balkan River Defence.

Presentations take people on the journey…from how Rok took the plunge and dove into this crazy project to how the team pulled together BRT 1 and BRT 2. Presentations also outline why hydro is dirty  and how we got our story into the spotlight of international and nations media attention. These events helped share the story of BRT but also inspired and reminded people that anyone can make a positive change. You just have to take a leap.

It is our hope that people leave with some guts and motivation, maybe even inspiration to take on a project or cause that they feel passionate about.

If you want to hear Rok’s entertaining and honest chat about BRT and BRD, contact us via info@balkanriverdefence.org and we will try and set up a presentation.

2020 PRESENTATIONS
Dates and locations yet to be announced…

2019 PRESENTATIONS
Patagonia Shop – Banff, AL, CAN: Mar 10^th
Patagonia Shop – Victoria, BC, CAN: Mar 21^st
European packraft meet up – Camp Liza, Bovec, SLO: May 4^th
Faculty for social sciences – Ljubljana, SLO: May 8^th
IEDC school – Bled, SLO: Jun 6^th
Paddle Expo – Nürnberg, GER: Oct 4^th 
Hotel Jezero – Bohinj, SLO: Nov 26^th 

2018 PRESENTATIONS
Balkan Business Analysis – Nova Gorica, SLO: May 15^th
Soča River Knight – Kobarid, SLO: May 25^th
Resistance against dams in the Balkans Conference – Banja Luka, BIH: June 18^th
How can biologists help defend rivers in the Balkans? – Kamp Koren, Kobarid, SLO: June 27^th
Deutscher Alpenverein – Munich, GER: Jul 5^th
Anne Frank Realschule – Munich, GER: Jul 6^th
Ranč Mrcina – Bohinj, SLO: Aug 17^th
Knjižnica Bena Zupančiča – Postojna, SLO: Nov 8^th
Outdoor Activists tour – Kendal, main presentation, UK: Nov 17^th
Paddlesports Session – Kendal, UK: Nov 17^th

2017 PRESENTATIONS
Patagonia office – Amstedam, NL: Feb 28^th
Kamp Koren – Kobarid, SLO: May 12^th
Patagonia office – Amstedam, NL: May 31^st
Patagonia Shop – Milano, ITA: Jun 5^th
Bioblitz Mura – Veržej, SLO: Jun 9^th
SAZU – Ljubljana, SLO: Jun 16^th
Outdoor Show – Friedrichshafen, GER: Jun 19^th
Soča Outdoor Festival – Tolmin, SLO: Jun 30^th
Una event, Bosanska Krupa, BIH: Sept 6^th
Outdoor Activists tour – Manchester, UK: Oct 24^th
Outdoor Activists tour – North Wales, UK: Oct 25^th
Outdoor Activists tour – Kendal, Secret Sessions, UK: Nov 17^th
Outdoor Activists tour – Kendal, main presentation, UK: Nov 18^th
Outdoor Activists tour – Kendal, basecamp talk, UK: Nov 18^th
Patagonia Shop – Prague, CZ: Nov 22^nd
BAMS congress – Ljubljana, SLO: Nov 24^th
TEDx Ljubljana – Ljubljana, SLO: Dec 4^th

2016 PRESENTATIONS
Eco Albania – Tirana, ALB: Jan 22^nd
DOPPS – Koper, SLO: Jan 26^th
ROTARY – Škofja Loka, SLO: Jan 28^th
Plezalni center Ljubljana – Ljubljana, SLO: Feb 3^th
Plezalni center Ljubljana – Ljubljana, SLO: Feb 10^th
Šeše – Solkan, SLO: Feb 22^nd
Triglav National Park – Bled, SLO: Feb 24^th
Kino Šiška – Ljubljana, SLO: Mar 1^st
University Ljubljana, Geography – Ljubljana, SLO: Mar 2^nd
Rudno Polje – Pokljuka, SLO: Mar 8^th
University Ljubljana, Biology – Ljubljana, SLO: Mar 9^th
Rudno Polje – Pokljuka, SLO: Mar 15^th
University Ljubljana, Sports – Ljubljana, SLO: Mar 16^th
Triglav National Park – Kobarid, SLO: Mar 18^th
ŠTUK – Maribor, SLO: Mar 21^st
DOPPS – Koper, SLO: Apr 5^th
Triglav National Park – Bled, SLO: April 16^th
Premik Sežana – Sežana, SLO: May 27^th
Drava Festival – Maribor, SLO: Jun 12^th
Bled Water Festival – Bled, SLO: Jun 16^th
Eko dan Soča – Solkan, SLO: Jun 18^th
Soča Outdoor Festival – Tolmin, SLO: Jul 1^st
Outdoor Show – Friedrichshafen, GER: Jul 13^th
Patagonia store – Cortina, ITA: Jul 23^rd
Tivat municipality – Tivat, MNE: Sep 8^th
Tara Kayak Fest – Kamp Grab, MNE: Sept 23^rd
DOPPS – Ljubljana, SLO: Nov 3^rd
Patagonia shop – Montebelluna, ITA: Nov 5^th
Find your feet – Hobart, AUS: Dec 20^th
BOFF – Bovec, SLO: Dec 29^th

The post LECTURES + PRESENTATIONS appeared first on Balkan River Defence.