Output International seminar of LIFE Limicodra at the conference of the International Wader Study Group, 29.09.-02.10.2023, Sylt

It took a little longer to analyse the other questionnaires and to evaluate the data from our wish list. So what constitutes a meadow breeding project, what is on a wish list for a suitable project and where is the need particularly high or important: Everyone agreed on many points with “ very important” or “important”. For example, good water management is essential and a strong lobbyist in Brussels was also considered as “very important” by the majority of participants. However, there were also discrepancies in other areas. For example, a project duration of >20 years is not the decisive factor for successful meadow bird conservation for everyone. Once initiated and the corresponding measures fully invested in, a project can also be continued via state institutions and with lower funding, although perhaps not always to the desired extent. The question of whether meadow bird projects should only be implemented in SPA areas sparked a major debate. The birds are not always to be found where they can be "more easily" protected by the element of an SPA. The lapwing, for example, is also found in the "normal landscape" and therefore also needs protection there. A number of experiences were exchanged with regard to direct implementation. It would be desirable to realise a two-stage application process for projects. In addition to a longer duration, successful projects require a sufficient budget to be able to counter for example inflation, permanent and sufficient staff, a flexible project concept and a larger proportion of funding in general.   It was also about raising public awareness of the need to focus on meadow birds in order to increase funding for such projects. This includes, above all, the transfer of knowledge from and to farmers, changing and anchoring meadow bird projects as well as improving the reputation of meadow bird projects in the public eye through more comprehensive information and education, as well as better involvement of stakeholders.

The discussion highlighted the deficits that exist in the implementation of meadow bird projects. Suitable funding programmes were discussed and pointed out. It became clear that there is still a lot of potential for improvement, that knowledge of the financial possibilities must be broadened, that meadow bird conservation must be publicised to the general public and that more support is needed from the EU as well as the individual federal states and provinces.

This workshop was able to capture an initial picture of opinion, and now it is time to gather further opinions and initially develop the survey further and distribute and analyse it on a larger scale.