Turkish fire prevention alliance sponsored by Garanti BBVA completes three new projects

The Garanti BBVA-sponsored fire prevention partnership dubbed ‘Türkiye’s Life: Fire Management Grant Program’ and headed by WWF Türkiye has successfully completed three new projects. One initiative, managed by Natura, focused on protecting caracal populations; another developed an eco-kit to leverage local knowledge and practices for preventing and fighting forest fires in the Köyceğiz-Gökova area; while the third project implemented fire-resilient production models.

As part of the ‘Türkiye’s Life: Fire Management Grant Program’ alliance, launched in June 2022 to mitigate forest fire risks and enhance preparedness, a total of eight projects have been implemented to date, four of which were completed as part of a fire-resistant settlements initiative led by the Turkish Foresters Association (TOD).

In NATURA’s year-long project aimed at protecting caracals, brown bears and wild cats, various tracking tools were used to gather ecological data. On February 18, 2024, a significant milestone was reached when a female caracal named Ayda was equipped with a transmitter and safely released. The project also included awareness training for local communities in the Marmaris region on regional wildlife and coexistence. Additionally, caracal identification signs were installed at key locations, including Marmaris National Park and its related educational sites.

A project by the Association for Equal Opportunities and a Sustainable Future focused on creating an "eco-kit" to prevent forest fires along the Köyceğiz-Gökova line. The initiative conducted studies on local forest protection and fire management practices to enhance awareness among new arrivals to the area—whether from cities, abroad, or earthquake zones. The resulting ‘eco-kit’ was distributed widely to positive feedback from residents, particularly the young and new settlers. Further details are available on the project website: https://www.fesgder.org/projects-7

For distribution in Izmir and a conference in Istanbul, the Derivation Economics Association created a guide to fire-resilient production models based on field visits, expert interviews, and research. To promote fire resilience, a pilot project at Gağgı Farm saw the planting of fire-resistant trees to form a protective strip along the forest border. Information on sustainable practices from producers at risk of fires was also collected. Additionally, a webinar series was conducted to share knowledge on wildfire resilience. The project concluded with a workshop to discuss best practices, project needs, and collaborative strategies.

Project outputs can be accessed in detail on the project website: https://oydu.turetimekonomisi.org/.

For more information on the current status of programs and projects: Türkiye’s Life: Fire Management Grant Program - Garanti BBVA