A new film from Bulgarian Innovation Hub Society for Territorial and Ecological Prosperity (STEP), made in partnership with the Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds (BSPB), was launched in January 2024. It is the first in a short series of films (you can see the second one here)
The beautifully shot film demonstrates how farmers can conserve wildlife on Bulgaria's permanent grasslands, whilst also creating a secure food future, by implementing practices in the eco-scheme it describes.
The film tells us not only how pastures and meadows are maintained by applying the scheme, but also introduces us to the different types of grass ecosystems and their inhabitants.
Watch the film here
in Bulgarian but with closed captions subtitles
Innovation Hub facilitator Vyara Stefanova says ‘Our idea was not only to describe the eco-scheme, but also to tell farmers more about the species that they are conserving. We believe this will add to their understanding of the high nature value of their grasslands and show them why they need to protect it’.
The importance of natural resources to agriculture
Modern intensive agriculture and livestock breeding are among the main reasons biological diversity has deteriorated and is now at risk. At the same time, it’s a system entirely dependent on natural resources and the health of natural ecosystems – water, soil, pollinators, birds, regulating insect populations.
Can agriculture provide food security while caring for nature and how?
Yes of course! Several interventions specifically aimed at protecting biological diversity have been laid down in the Bulgarian Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas 2023-2027. 'And the series we've created in partnership with BSPB called Agriculture With Care for Nature tells us about some of them'.
Agriculture With Care for Nature is a joint initiative between BSPB and STEP with the support of the civil initiative Good Food, Good Farming.
Find out more
Watch the film here (in Bulgarian but with closed captions subtitles)
Watch Green Infrastructure film
Subscribe to STEP’s YouTube channel
Find out more about STEP and the HNV Innovation Hub