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Turkey is one of the richest country in terms of biodiversity in the temperate zone. Turkey, as the crossroads between Europe and Asia, has a unique geographic position. In terms of biodiversity, it is one of the richest temperate countries on earth, with species originating from the Europe, Western Asia and Africa. WWF-Turkey works towards the protection and sustainable use of Turkey's natural resources. A large proportion of this conservation work over the last 10 years has been made possible with the help of Garanti Bank. WWF-Turkey's Site Safeguarding Programme, implemented since the beginning of 2003, is the second stage of activities continued with the support of Garanti Bank.

The vision of the Site Safeguarding Programme:
Turkey has a network of well-protected, biologically diverse sites, which safeguard the quality of life for future generations.

The mission of the Site Safeguarding Programme:
To facilitate conservation, restoration and wise-use of Turkey's most biologically diverse conservation sites .

The selection of priority sites for conservation will be based on a strategic process that will combine the results of various scientific studies earlier undertaken by WWF Turkey. These studies include inventories of Important Bird Areas & Important Plant Areas (both funded by Garanti Bank) and Satellite-based information on Forest-cover.

Five interventions are developed in order for the Site Safeguarding Programme to achieve its mission:

Important Bird Areas of Turkey, published in 1997 with the contribution of Garanti Bank, elaborates the 97 areas important for birds in detail. Birds are an important indicator for healthy environment and can be found in all forms of habitats. Important Bird Areas (IBA) approach, a significant tool for conservation of areas, contributes to conservation of nature in Turkey to a great extent and extensively used by national and international consultants, related official departments and public in general.

Another book published with the contribution of Garanti Bank is the "Birds of Turkey and Europe", which is a sine qua non (absolutely essential) book for bird watchers. The book is a significant tool to learn about these animals, which sing next to our window, fly over our houses, jump through the coasts and marshlands, follow the boat we are on and migrate in huge groups. "Birds of Turkey and Europe" has been an indispensable book for young people in the last ten years and has become a common way of showing interest in nature.

Millions of bulbous plants has been collected from nature for flower industry since 1800. The conservation efforts focused on the production of bulbous plants by local people to avoid overxploitation and export of bulbous plants such as snow drops and cyclamen and so much progress has been observed through the years. In Dumlugoze village, the pilot project site, bulbous plant production started in 1993. The first harvest was in 1996. Bulbous plant production has become an alternative source of income for local people: Almost 2 million tons of bulbs were harvested and exported in June 2003. The construction of a Guest House in Dumlugoze, which aims to increase consorted action among bulbous plant procuders, continues with the contribution of Garanti Bank. Dumlugoze Guest House will be completed and opened to visitors in the year 2004.

WWF-Turkey defines Kure Mountain as one of the best example of Black Sea humid forests known. Kure Mountains has been declared National Park in 2000 because of its natural and cultural richness. This decision has been accepted by WWF as "Turkey's Gift to the Earth". Within the context of the project, a historical old house has been restored in Pinarbasi district of Kastamonu and has been started to be used as an "eco-tourism center". The facilities in the eco-tourism center cover accommodation, education and communication.

Important Plant Areas of Turkey published in 2003 with the contribution of Garanti Bank defines the natural areas with endangered and endemic flora species. The book gives detailed information about the 122 Important Plant Areas of Turkey, such as the threats observed and necessary actions to be taken for conservation of these species. The book has been already extensively used by conservation experts and is a good guide for future studies.

There are 9 forest hotpots of Turkey listed in the priority forest areas of Europe- in terms of richness in biodiversity and under serious threat- that need to be protected. This list was prepared within the context of "Gifts to the Earth" by WWF International. The 9 forest hotspots, which WWF-Turkey aims to put under a conservation status till the year 2005 are as follows:

The Caucasus region is shared by Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Armeni and Iran. It is one of the most important eco-regions in the temperate world with its rich biodiversity, pristine forest ecosystems and interesting samples of rare evolutionary processes. The region hosts nearly seven thousand native plant species of which 1,700 occur only in this part of the planet. Its unique geographical position on one of the major flyways makes it possible to see many bird species. The Caucasus Green Corridor is an eco-region conservation initiative. Working on an eco-regional level implies a focus on conservation issues for the region as a whole, rather than for an individual country within it. Eco-Region Conservation makes us think in biological and ecological terms across political borders and to plan and act accordingly. This approach helps establishing networks of protected areas and migration corridors for species and supports ecological processes that maintain these ecosystems. Together with partners, WWF-Turkey works on issues such as the establishment of protected areas, species conservation, sustainable natural resource management, restoration, improving & developing conservation policy, awareness raising and capacity building.

WWF-Turkey invests for future and nature within the context of its projects under Education Program. These projects continue with the contribution of Garanti Bank and aim to increase the level of awareness of future generations in terms of nature conservation. Within this context, WWF-Turkey works to prepare a new guidebook designed for teachers. The book which has the chapters such as "ecology", "water", "air", "soil", "biological diversity" and "sustainable lifestyles" will be completed in the beginning of 2004. The book will then be implemented by teachers who work in the realm of environment.

The first stage of Site Safeguarding Program supported by Garanti Bank is preparation of a priority areas list based on Important Bird Areas, Important Plant Areas, Important Marine Turtle Nesting Sites, Important Forest Areas The preparation of such a list is the first and foremost important step of preparation of "Turkey's Important Natural Sites" map. The map prepared by the synthesis of Important Bird Areas and Important Plant Areas inventories, prepared by the contribution of Garanti Bank, with important marine turtle nesting sites and important forest areas will be put on the internet. Such an interactive web site will present the priority areas of conservation value to the public and to create awareness of related decision makers so as to make them take action. The preparation of the web site, which will be the first of its kind and will be in service by the end of 2003, continues.

International Environment Films Festival

The sixth of International Environment Films Festival, by TURSAK was held in 5-13 June 2002 under the traditional primary sponsorship of GarantiBank.

GarantiBank, supporting the festival since 1997, aims to contribute to cinema education, develop cooperation and collaboration between cinema schools and improve environment awareness of young film makers.

"Four Lights for Future" project contest
and "Fethiye-Antalya Lycian Roads " project
Garanti organized a project contest titled "Four Lights for Future" for 50th anniversary of Garanti in 1996. "Fethiye-Antalya Lycian Roads" project was the winner in environment field in the contest, organized in environment, education, sports and industrial design area.

Environment News Contest
"Environment News Contest" has been conducted by Wildlife Protection Society since 1998 with support of Garanti. The contest aims to support media members who help to increase environment awareness of public and contribute protection of environment and keep environment issues in the public agenda through media.

Our Footprints in Nature
"Our Footprints in Nature" book published by Wildlife Protection Society with contributions of Garanti, argues that each segment of society played a role in pollution and destruction of nature. The book which reminds that protection of nature to reach a better world is a joints responsibility, is a guide for life aiming to impose right consumption habits and add value to the society.

Green Atlas
In 2004, we sponsored for the seventh time under "Guarantee for Nature" slogan,
the special environment edition "Green Atlas" of Atlas Magazine, one of the major publications in environment, published for contributing to increasing environment awareness.