Eco Hvar

AGM 2019

Published in Charity: Official

MINUTES from the 7th Annual General Meeting of 'ECO HVAR', held on June 27th 2020, at the Cafe Splendid, Jelsa

Present: Vivian Grisogono - President, Marija Bunčuga - Committee Member, Miranda Miličić Bradbury, Branko Bunčuga, Frank John Duboković, Jeremy Loren, Sara Radonić, Mihovil Stipišić, Ivana Šurjak.

Apologies for absence: Nada Kozulić, Vice-President, Dinka Barbić- Committee Member, Debora Bunčuga - Committee Member, Carol Adeney, Petar Bunčuga, Martin Gannon, Steve Jones, Peter Elborn, Kruno Peronja, Annie Polatsek, Lana Zake.

The Meeting started at 10:30.

AGENDA

1. Welcome. Number of attendees noted, selection of the Meeting Secretary.

2. Adoption of the Minutes from the 6th AGM.

3. Review of Eco Hvar's activities during 2019.

4. Adoption of the Charity's financial report for 2019.

5. Outline of the Charity's programme for 2020.

6. Any other business.

1. Vivian Grisogono, Charity President, welcomed the attendees and confirmed that there was a quorum.

Sara Pirc was elected Meeting Secretary, nem. con.

2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE 6TH AGM.

The Minutes, which were previously published on the Eco Hvar website in English and Croatian, were circulated to the attendees.

The Meeting adopted the Minutes from the 6th AGM, nem con.

3. REVIEW OF ECO HVAR'S ACTIVITIES IN 2019

Marija Bunčuga presented the following review of the Charity's activities during 2019.

Requests for help and/or advice

As usual we received many inquiries, concerns and complaints, mainly by email, but also via Facebook and occasionally by phone. The most unusual was a request for help regarding paedophile activities and child trafficking in Osijek, obviously way outside our sphere of influence! Other inquiries concerned lost personal items, and requests for advice regarding property ownership, including tracing family inheritances from previous generations.

There were several inquiries about where to buy organic food on the island: while there are a few shops which stock organic products, notably DM at Stari Grad Harbour, Za Pod Zub in Stari Grad and Greenhouse in Hvar Town, and organic olive oil and wine can be found, it is extremely difficult to source organic fruit and vegetables. This situation is changing slowly, but it is taking a long time for local producers to accept that there is a demand for organic supplies. It is heartening that there are some very high quality small producers of local products, in particular lavender-based items, who can be recommended.

Environment

We received many letters regarding problems in the environment: complaints about the summertime 'fogging', spraying the streets with insecticides; the distribution of free rat poison, and the widespread, uncontrolled use of these fatal products; the lack of recycling; swimming pools in historic villages; and specifically the unacceptable amount of plastic litter left on the Stari Grad Plain in the wake of a cycling event - some of it was cleared up by the organizers after our warning to the Stari Grad authorities, but there was still a residue which was removed by our members Nicolas and Isabelle, all credit and many thanks to them.

Animals

As always, there were many requests for help regarding animals: cats and kittens, 42; dogs, 33; birds, 3; bats, sheep and donkeys, 1 each. In every case, where possible, we did our best to help, either directly, or by advising on the correct way to follow up the complaint or query.

Especially during the summer season, there are always numerous complaints from visitors about the appalling conditions some hunting dogs are kept in. Some owners have responded positively to our advice on how to treat their dogs properly, but many more have not. We feel that the hunting association should take more responsibility for the welfare of the hunting dogs on the island, ensuring that all of them are microchipped and inoculated as required by law, kept in hygienic conditions, with adequate food and water year-round, and exercised in the long months between the hunting seasons.

Animal help

We participated in some rescues of stray animals, especially dogs, continuing the successful relationship with the Bestie Animal Shelter in Kaštel Sućurac (formerly Animalis Centrum). The most dramatic rescue involved two dogs whose owner suffered a violent attack while they were out for a walk in June 2019. At 22:30 the Police called to see if we could look after the dogs, whose owner was in hospital with serious injuries. The dogs were located in Pitve at 23:30, and were looked after until the owner's son and daughter came to collect them some 15 days later.

At the end of 2019, Eco Hvar sent a formal request to Jelsa Mayor Nikša Peronja to be considered for inclusion in the 2020 budget. Finance was requested for a sterilization programme for cats, parallel to the one already operating successfully in Stari Grad; finance for placing stray and unwanted dogs from the Jelsa region in the County animal shelter (Bestie) at Kaštel Sućurac; and support for establishing a holding centre for stray or unwanted dogs at an accessible location near to Jelsa. Mayor Peronja agreed to the cat sterilization programme, and also to help identify suitable land in the vicinity of Jelsa for the dog holding centre, which could also serve as a safe dog walking area. He preferred to leave responsibility for transferring dogs to the animal shelter to Eco Hvar, although we can apply to the Council for some funds for this purpose.

Activities and campaigns related to environmental protection

Education

In conjunction with Katija Barbić, elementary school teacher who leads photographic and robotic programmes for students, Eco Hvar organized a photographic competition, which produced some excellent pictures of Hvar in all its beauty. Some of the young photographers showed exceptional originality. Prizes were awarded for the pictures judged the best by a three-person jury, and many of the pictures were enlarged and put on display in the Jelsa Library in June 2019. Eco Hvar is grateful to everyone who participated in this highly successful event.

In the autumn of 2019, Eco Hvar supported the workshop organized by Adela Duboković of LAG Škoji, in which expert Andrea Vugrinović gave an impressive presentation about many aspects of organic agriculture in field and garden.

Tourism

Eco Hvar was pleased to participate in the initiative to promote eco-tourism on Hvar, through the innovative programme Ecobnb, which is an advertising platform for rental properties which adhere to their criteria guaranteeing high ecological standards We are grateful to Eco Hvar member Vilma Plazonja, manager of Villa Perka at Sveta Nedjelja, for introducing us to the scheme, which may in time produce some donations from the Ecobnb organization, once it is fully under way.

Pesticides

Under pressure (not for the first time!) from the Information Commissioner of the Republic of Croatia, the Split-Dalmatian County Institute of Public Health finally responded on 10th December 2019 to our requests for information and sent at least some of the documents we had asked for. The first request for information was made through Jelsa Mayor Nikša Peronja in October 2017. Our direct correspondence with the Institute of Public Health started in November 2017 (letters in Croatian). Our conclusions are that change is urgently needed to prevent further damage to the environment.

Campaigns

Eco Hvar continued to support the work of several like-minded Croatian and international organizations. We are proud to be participants in the European Citizen's Initiative 'Save Bees and Farmers', a petition across all EU member states which aims to reduce pesticide use in the region substantially over the next few years.

Raising awareness

i) Youth education. In January 2019, Steve Jones, Hvar's resident birdwatcher in Dol, produced a beautiful PowerPoint presentation of 'Birds on Hvar' for use in schools. It is particularly important for the young to be aware of the bird life around them, as local people report that the numbers and varieties have visibly diminished over the last decades, while more recent residents have noted the visible decline in just a few years.

ii) Media coverage. As in previous years, in 2019 some of Eco Hvar's activities were publicized in the widely read local newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija, and we are very grateful to local journalist Mirko Crnčević for his understanding and support of our aims. Articles published in SD ranged from 'Dancing with Donkeys' featuring Hvar's donkey saviour Jana Appleyard (13.06.2019), the problems of rubbish management (24.05.2019), the need for adequate care for homeless dogs (30.07.2019), a report about the Hvar children's initiative to raise money for Eco Hvar (31.08.2019), and a feature based on the workshop held by Andrea Vugrinović focusing on organic gardening and farming methods (04.11.2019).

iii) Leaflets and poster warnings. Before Easter Eco Hvar again posted leaflets encouraging those taking part in the Processions not to throw rubbish around the environment. We also posted warnings in English about the imminent fogging actions during the summer.

iv) Facebook. We continued to post items of interest on our Facebook page almost every day. We also regularly posted warnings about the imminent fogging actions in Croatian and English - so we do more to publish these actions, in accordance with the official Directive, than the local authorities!

v) The Eco Hvar website. The website is attracting increasing numbers of readers, with several articles, particularly those about pesticides, numbering thousands of hits - in one case over 120,000.

We are especially grateful to Steve Jones, Martin Gannon and Marion Podolski for their invaluable contributions to the success of the website through original articles and beautiful photographs, and also to Dinka Barbić for her excellent translations of our articles into Croatian.

The Review of Activities in 2019 was accepted nem con.

4. FINANCIAL REPORT, 2019 

Eco Hvar had an income of 8,725.00 kn in 2019, and outgoings of 6,259.00 kn. As at January 1st 2019 the account held 13,810.00 kn carried over from the previous year, while at the end of the year the balance was 16,932.00 kn.

The main outgoings of the Association were expenses related to animal care and rescues, accountancy and bank charges. Donations were the sole source of income.

In August 2019 there was an extra special event in aid of Eco Hvar, organized by a pair of enterprising young children, Kai and Tonka, from Hvar Town. Entirely on their own initiative, they held creative workshops with groups of their friends to produce beautiful original artefacts to sell. They raised 2346.40 kn, a splendid effort!

Eco Hvar is extremely grateful to them, and to all the individual donors, as well as those who have contributed help in various ways in support of our work during the year.

The Financial Report was accepted nem. con.

5. PROPOSED PROGRAMME FOR 2020.

Our aims remain the same as always, and we continue our work accordingly.

i. Education and raising awareness

- various activities involving young people, in collaboration with the local schools

- further lectures and seminars about environmental protection

- more articles on the website offering relevant information

- dedication of a special section for young people on the website

- organization of 'eco-activities' including outings and nature walks, especially for young people, to encourage enjoyment and respect for the environment. One project is to organize a walk across the length of the island, and some members are researching the maps of the old paths, and testing out the terrain to establish how many are still viable.

ii. Animals

- We will continue our collaboration with the animal shelter 'Animalis Centrum' in Kaštel Sućurac

- we will continue to collaborate with the local authorities as far as possible, especially with a view to establishing an animal shelter on Hvar and feeding stations for cats.

- we would like to establish local temporary animal shelters for dogs and cats, also a 'dog hotel' to serve owners who need to leave their animals in a safe environment during their absence.

iii. Promotion of organic agriculture

- we will continue to lobby against pesticide use, whether by public authorities or individuals.

- we are aiming to formulate a project to establish organic farming on Hvar and possibly on other islands

iv. Support for eco-tourism initiatives such as Ecobnb, whose first 'eco-friendly accommodation' on Hvar is near Hvar Town, managed by Vilma Plazonja (who is a Friend of Eco Hvar) (http://www.eco-hvar.com/en/highlights/276-eco-friendly-accommodation-on-hvar)

v. Cooperation with other charitable organizations

- we will continue our collaboration with like-minded organizations at local, national and international levels.

The Programme for 2020 was accepted by the Meeting, nem. con.

6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

Sara Radonić stated that the cat sterilization programme is a great help, but the biggest problem is now that of catching the wilder cats. She suggested that Eco Hvar could invest in the special cat-trapping baskets to lend out for that purpose, a proposal which was accepted by all.

Sara also suggested that the Association should be more visible, a suggestion which also gained general agreement.

Vivian Grisogono warned that on Monday night, 29th June, there would be street spraying with poisons (allegedly against mosquitoes), starting at 23:00 until 04:00 on Tuesday morning. As at 27th June, there was no advance warning of any action around Stari Grad or Hvar, although these usually take place on succeeding days. All present agreed that there is a tragic loss of insect life in our region, especially butterflies, which have been much less in evidence this year, despite the fine weather. Warnings have been given in writing to all the relevant national and local authorities, including a face-to-face meeting with Jelsa's Mayor Nikša Peronja, but there is no official will to stop this unsustainable programme of destruction.

Rescued dogs: Vivian Grisogono described how recently Eco Hvar, in collaboration with the Veterinary Inspectors and the local Town Warden, saved a maltreated pregnant bitch and subsequently took care of her and her 7 puppies. However, when the time came to place the dogs in the Animal Shelter, the local authority involved refused to contribute, on the grounds that they had no money. Although they had paid the contribution to the Bestie Animal Shelter in Kaštel Sućurac as required by law, it seems they did not allocate the further funds needed for actually rescuing dogs. As there is no chance of successful placement of the dogs on Hvar, this has left Eco Hvar needing to raise 28,000 kunas to cover the costs of placing them in the shelter, where they will receive all due medical and social care, and will have an excellent chance of finding good homes in Croatia or abroad. All agreed that a fundraising action should be initiated to cover these costs.

Jeremy Loren suggested several ways in which Eco Hvar could engage in increasing both visibility and funds, including issuing 'trust icons' to chosen businesses such as organic shops, and running a stand on the waterfront selling appropriate local products. Obviously, many activities in the first half of 2020 have been curtailed due to the Covid-19 restrictions, but the ideas could form the basis of plans for the coming years. Prior to the meeting, Martin Gannon had suggested in writing that Eco Hvar could make use of some of the various methods of receiving money, such as Paypal, Revolut, and Monzo. All agreed that Eco Hvar needs to be more actively engaged in raising money, especially if the local authorities cannot cover their basic obligations in relation to animal rescues.

Miranda Miličić Bradbury added that the local authorities should at least contribute in kind to the Association, when Eco Hvar helps them, for instance by supplying sales stands free of charge, and this suggestion was fully accepted.

At the end, everyone agreed that Eco Hvar should continue and expand its activities for the good of animals and the environment, especially by involving the younger generations, for instance through the local schools.

In conclusion, Vivian Grisogono thanked all the attendees for their contributions, and emphasized once again that the Steering Committee is extremely grateful to all supporters and helpers who encourage and promote Eco Hvar's activities inmany different ways.

The Meeting formally ended at 11:45.

Signed:

Sara Radonić,                                                                                                                                                       Vivian Grisogono MA(Oxon)

Meeting Secretary                                                                                                                                                         President Eco Hvar

 

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    © Will Turner

    A black-backed jackal hunts for prey.

    “But then the nature finance team at Conservation International — these crazy guys — came up with a wild idea,” Alie said. “In just six months they put this entirely new funding model together: loaning money at an affordable rate to the conservancies so that they can continue to pay staff and wildlife rangers.”

    Conservation International and the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association launched the African Conservancies Fund — a rescue package to offset lost revenues for approximately 3,000 people in the area who rely on tourism income. Between December 2020 and December 2022, the fund provided more than US$ 2 million in affordable loans to four conservancies managing 70,000 hectares (170,000 acres).

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    Born out of this emergency, we discovered a new way to do conservation.

    Elijah Toirai

    “The catastrophe of COVID-19 was total for us,” said Benard Leperes, a landowner with Mara North Conservancy and a conservation expert at Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association. “Without Conservation International and the fund, this landscape would have not been secured; the conservancies would have disintegrated as people were forced to sell their land to convert it to agriculture.”

    But it was communities themselves that proved the model might be replicable after the pandemic ended.

    “The conservancies had until 2023 before the first payment was due,” Toirai said. “But as soon as tourism resumed in mid-2021, the communities started paying back the loans. Today, the loans are being repaid way ahead of schedule.”

    “Born out of this emergency, we discovered a new way to do conservation.”

    A new era for conservation

    The high plateaus overlooking the Maasai Mara are home to the very last giant pangolins in Kenya.

    These mammals, armored with distinctive interlocking scales, are highly endangered because of illegal wildlife trade. In Kenya, threats from poaching, deforestation and electric fences meant to deter elephants from crops have caused the species to nearly disappear. Today, scientists believe there could be as few as 30 giant pangolins left in Kenya.

    Conservancies could be crucial to bringing them back. Conservation International has identified opportunities to provide transformative funding for conservancies in this area — a sprawling grassland northwest of Maasai Mara that is the very last pangolin stronghold in the country. The fund will help communities better protect an existing 10,000-hectare (25,000-acre) conservancy and bring an additional 5,000 hectares under protection. It provides a safety net, ensuring a steady income for the communities as the work of expanding the conservancy begins. With a stable income, communities can start work to restore the savanna and remove electric fences that have killed pangolins. And as wildlife move back into the ecosystem, the grasslands will begin to recover.

    In addition to expanding conservancies around Maasai Mara, Conservation International has identified other critical ecosystems where community conservancies can help lift people out poverty, while providing new habitats for wildlife. Conservation International has ambitious plans to restore a critical and highly degraded savanna between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks in southern Kenya, as well as a swath of savanna outside Kruger National Park in South Africa.

    © Emily Nyrop

    A lone acacia tree in a sea of grass.

    Elephants, fire, Maasai and cattle

    Many of the new and emerging community conservancies have been carefully chosen as key wildlife corridors that would be threatened by overgrazing livestock.

    When the first Maasai Mara conservancies were established in 2009, cattle grazing was prohibited within their boundaries. When poorly managed, cattle can wear grasses down to their roots, triggering topsoil erosion and the loss of nutrients, microbes and biodiversity vital for soil health. It was also believed that tourists would be put off by the sight of livestock mingling with wildlife.

    © Emily Nyrop

    Cattle are closely monitored in the Maasai Mara to prevent overgrazing.

    However, over the years, landowners objected, lamenting the loss of cultural ties to cattle and herding. “That was when we changed tactics,” said Raphael Kereto, the grazing manager for Mara North Conservancy.

    Beginning in 2018, Mara North and other conservancies in the region started adopting livestock grazing practices to restore the savanna. Landowners agreed to periodically move livestock between different pastures, allowing grazed lands to recover and regrow,  mimicking the traditional methods pastoralists have used on these lands for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

    “Initially, there was a worry that maybe herbivores and other wildlife will run away from cattle,” said Kereto. “But we have seen the exact opposite — the wildlife all follow where cattle are grazing. This is because we have a lot of grass, and all the animals follow where there is a lot of grass. We even saw a cheetah with a cub that spent all her time rotating with wildlife.”

    “It's amazing — when we move cattle, the cheetah comes with it.”

    The loans issued by the fund — now called the African Conservancies Facility — will enhance rotational grazing systems, which are practiced differently in each conservancy, by incorporating best practices and lessons from the organization’s Herding for Health program in southern Africa.

    © Will Turner

    An elephant herd stares down a pack of hyenas.

    For landowners like Dickson Kaelo, who was among the pioneers to propose the conservancy model in Kenya, the return of cattle to the ecosystem has restored a natural order.

    “I always wanted to understand how it was that there was so much more wildlife in the conservancies than in Maasai Mara National Reserve,” said Kaelo, who heads the Kenya Wildlife Conservancy Association, based in Nairobi.

    “I went to the communities and asked them this question. They told me savannas were created by elephants, fire and Maasai and cattle, and excluding any one of those is not good for the health of the system. So, I believe in the conservancies — I know that every single month, people go to the bank and they have some money, they haven't lost their culture because they still are cattle keepers, and the land is much healthier, with more grass, more wildlife, and the trees have not been cut.

    “For me, it’s something really beautiful.”

    Further reading:

    Will McCarry is the content director at Conservation International. Want to read more stories like this? Sign up for email updates. Also, please consider supporting our critical work.

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