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Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey needs enthusiastic and assertive young people who will actively work to find participatory, instant and appropriate solutions for problems that nature faces!

BirdLife International's partners in Armenia (Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds-ASPB), Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan Ornithological Society-AOS), Georgia (Georgian Center for the Conservation of Wildlife-GCCW) and Turkey (Doga Dernegi-DD) are organizing Nature School with support of Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation and IUCN Caucasus, to maintain necessary conditions for the conservation of Key Biodiversity Areas and the trans-boundary corridor between Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.

We aim to reach the young people who are willing to take responsibilities actively on nature conservation especially of KBAs and gain experience on conservation techniques via Nature School program.

Nature School will enable participants to:

• have a general ecology knowledge with a focus on Caucasus biogeography;
• gain experience in nature conservation methodologies and their implementations;
• define problems on a site and develop and implement solutions to these;
• develop management and leadership skills;
• develop communication skills;
• learn sustainable utilization of natural resources in Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs);
• actively participate in monitoring KBAs and taking actions in urgent topics;
• create a platform of Armenian, Azeri, Georgian and Turkish young nature conservationists.

Nature School Program

Nature School Training Program is composed of 2 modules; each includes working themes related to the economical, social and environmental aspects of nature conservation.

The Program is consisted of 6 days and 2 modules that are linked and completed in 2 months.

Participants and trainers will work as a team throughout the training program. Interactive games, role-plays, simulations, discussions, interpretations, field works and assignments will provide a foundation for the participants to professionally step into the field of nature conservation.

A certificate will be given to the participants who participate in all the modules and successfully finish the program.

Who can apply?

• People aiming to contribute to the nature conservation in Caucasus eco-region,
• People aiming a professional career in nature conservation in Caucasus' eco-region,
• University graduates or senior year students.

Please note that all participants are requested to have an advanced level of understanding and speaking English. There will not be any translation services.

Costs
The training program is free of charge. Travel (not including airways), accommodation and food expenses will be covered by the project.

Application Process
In order to apply please e-mail the following documents to selda.bozbiyik@dogadernegi.org or fax to (009) 0312 448 0258 to Selda Bozbıyık's attention. Applications will be closed at 17:00 pm, on 23th of September, 2009.

Application form Form can be downloaded on link below and it should be filled up completely.

Application Form

Curriculum vitae Your CV should include your past nature and environmental protection experiences, past and current education status, computer skills and level of English.

Letter of intent Please write on not more than an A4 paper why you would like to apply and your plans following the successful completion of the Nature School.

Evaluation Process
There will be 16 participants, 4 from each country, of the Nature School.
Following the closure of the application process, a jury of experts will evaluate the applications.

Short-listed candidates will be contacted and interviewed via telephone.
Successful applicants will be announced on www.dogadernegi.org/dogaokulu not later than 1st of October, 2009.
Please note that only successful applicants will be contacted.