Nature Conservation Centre (DKM) Foundation

With a history dating back to 2004, Doğa Koruma Merkezi (DKM; Nature Conservation Centre) is a non-profit Foundation established in 2013 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 biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in Turkey and the surrounding area. In addition to the permanent staff of at most 12 experts of biology, planning and engineering origin, DKM works effectively with a network of consultants, academicians, including international researchers, conservation biologists and other specialists. The permanent team, in addition to their extensive experience in conservation biology, sustainable development and natural resource management, is highly competent in designing and implementing training and education programs for capacity building, ranging from professional resource management to general nature education for the general public. DKM uses Conservation Biology to deliver and promote science based conservation solutions, which are integrated, comprehensive and innovative. Starting from this principle the DKM team: (i) works towards developing a strong scientific basis for nature conservation, promotes the use of conservation biology principles and tools; (ii) identifies damaging activities and develops ways to encourage adoption of alternative approaches; (iii) develops working examples of sustainable use and wise natural resource management as alternatives to strict nature protection; (iv) supports organisations working in nature conservation and natural resource management, helping them to find sustainable-use solutions based on sound science analyses; (v) uses projects as tools to achieve long-term goals, not as ends in themselves; (vi) aims to achieve effective results through efficient partnerships, close collaboration with beneficiaries not individual successes and vii) designs and implements tailor-made training programs, education and capacity building activities for different stakeholders and interest groups. DKM works in various topics and sectors regarding to biodiversity conservation and natural resource management: • In various ecosystems; forest, steppe, freshwater, mountains, • In many different taxa; plants, butterflies, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, • In different sectors; forestry, agriculture, nature conservation, energy, education, • In different scales; local, regional, national, • In crosscutting issues; Conservation planning, ecosystem services, conservation applications of modelling and decision support systems, socio-economic data production, developing training programs, climate change mitigation and adaptation, carbon certification, • developing training and education programs for different groups.