Doğa Koruma Merkezi

ABOUT US

The Nature Conservation Centre (DKM) is a Foundation established in 2004 by a group of experienced ecologists and nature conservationists. These experts, from Turkey and the UK, formed DKM in order to provide a centrally organised pool of expertise and technical capacity for conserving biodiversity in Turkey and the surrounding area.

DKM's members have each had a long involvement in nature and environmental conservation in Turkey, with some individual's active interest and experience both here and abroad stretching back to the 1960s. In Turkey, DKM’s members have worked with government, the private sector, NGOs, research institutions, individual experts and volunteers, carrying out major studies of mountain, forest, wetland and steppe ecosystems.

Throughout its work DKM uses conservation science to deliver conservation solutions, which are comprehensive and innovative. We believe that species’ extinctions and habitat degradation generally arise not from a conflict between environment and development, but from a lack of knowledge and an inability to develop appropriate strategies. Starting from this principle the DKM team:

Works to develop a strong scientific basis for conservation, promoting the use of conservation biology principles and tools;
Identifies damaging activities and develops ways to encourage adoption of alternative approaches;
Develops working examples of sustainable use and wise natural resource management as alternatives to strict protection;
Supports organisations working in nature conservation and natural resource management, helping them to find sustainable-use solutions based on sound science;
Uses projects as tools to achieve long-term goals, not as ends in themselves;
And, most important of all, DKM aims to achieve effective results through efficient partnerships, not individual successes.

DKM’s Mission

Through wise use of sound science DKM aims to attain effective conservation of biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources.

Objectives

To achieve wide understanding and application of the principles of conservation science in nature conservation.
To establish biodiversity conservation as a core objective of all aspects of governance.
To increase capacity to deliver durable and effective conservation.

Values

DKM is inspired by nature and its diversity and respects all forms of life, from the simplest individuals to entire ecosystems.

DKM places itself at the cutting edge of biodiversity conservation and works to a high and consistent standard to deliver scientifically sound products.

DKM seeks to understand the local context, working resourcefully and collaboratively to identify pragmatic and innovative solutions, which support sustainable lifestyles and cultures.

DKM puts people first, listening to ideas and sharing experiences in order to find ways to make optimal use of available resources.

DKM believes conservation of nature and its diversity can only be achieved through collaboration and the combined efforts of people, organisations and disciplines.

NEWS

Water Management and Ecosystem Services Workshop

WATER MANAGEMENT AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES WORKSHOP REALIZED ON 10-11 MAY 2018 IN ANKARA

The “Water Management and Ecosystem Services” Workshop attended by more than 100 participants from nearly 60 institutions including public authorities, the private sector, universities, municipalities and non-governmental organizations was realized on 10-11 May 2018 in Ankara. The workshop, organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs General Directorate of Water Management, the coordination of the Nature Conservation Centre (DKM) and the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Business Council for Sustainable Development Turkey and Sustainable Water Future Programme brought together several actors from the agriculture, forestry, industry, energy, nature conservation and drinking and potable water sectors.

The workshop focused on ecosystem services as a management tool in water management. Current studies pertaining to water management in Turkey were shared by the General Directorate of Water Management. In his opening speech, General Director of Water Management Dr. Bülent Selek who touched on the importance of protecting the amount and quality and the sustainable use of water resources in Turkey said “our priority is to maintain the sustainability of ecosystem services in water management” and explained the General Directorate’s works in this framework.

In her opening speech, Deputy General Director of DKM Ms. Hatice Dinç Sarısoy stressed the increasing negative effects of climate change and stated that these impacts specifically pose a risk on water resources and that different approaches and solutions should be used together in water management.

Head of the South African Regional Office of the International Water Management Institute Dr. Chris Dickens who described global trends and new perspectives in water management, shared the changes occurring in global water resources from past to present as well as future water risk modelling studies and explained global approaches in water management. In his presentation, Dickens highlighted the targets and indicators of Goal 6 on “Clean Water and Sanitation” of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Along with national stakeholders, the workshop was also attended by high-level representatives of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), International Water Management Institute (IWMI), New York Metropolitan Municipality Department of Environmental Protection and ICATALIST. Successful case studies of ecosystem and nature based water management practices and projects from countries such as South Africa, Switzerland, the UK, Netherlands, Kenya, Nepal, Colombia and the United States were also shared during the two-day workshop. New York Metropolitan Municipality’s works on using forests’ water filtration functions to provide safe drinking water to New York city without the use of any treatment facilities specifically attracted great attention from participants.

During the working group session, main water related problems in the sectors dependent on water as well as possible nature based solutions that could be implemented in Turkey, potential actors and collaborations were discussed.

Click for Chris Dickens' first presentation.

Click for Chris Dickens' second presentation.

Click for James Dalton's presentation.

Click for Ira Stern's presentation.

Click for Elena Lopez-Gunn's presentation.

Click for Deepa Maggo's presentation.

Click for the agenda.

We held a study visit to Tilburg, the Netherlands