CMA Events & Training

The home page of the Seminar has been done (http://www.rangerseminar.org/), and you can find there the English version of the programme.

Programme:

14 September (Sunday)
Arrival, Seminar opening with introductory speeches 13.00-14.30 Arrival and registration - Kunsági-major, Kerekegyháza accomodation)
15.00-18.00 Seminar opening, welcoming and introductory speeches - House of Nature, Kecskemét
Welcoming notes by the Ministry of Environment and Water and the two host national park directorates
Opening speech: The Hungarian Nature Conservation Ranger Service, speaker: Dr. Géza Temesi, Ministry of Environment and Water
Presentations about the two host national park directorates
17.30-19.00 Late arrivals and registration - Kunsági-major, Kerekegyháza
19.00 Dinner

15-18 September (Monday-Thursday)

Four days, four groups, four topics, four sites
visits to the Kiskunság and Danube-Dráva National Parks.

Breakfast from 7.00 a.m., departure to the sites at 8.00 by buses, arrival back to the place of accommodation around 18.00 followed by dinner each day.

Evening (after dinner) events:
Presentations about ranger services of different countries (one by each country, max. 20 minutes each)
European Table: countries or regions can present their national/regional food and drinks (kitchen equipment and staff available at Kunsági-major)
Wine tastings from two Hungarian wine regions (Kunság, Tokaj)
Rangers’ Raffle: participants are welcome to offer presentations (gifts). Income will be used to support IRF or contribute to organization costs of the Seminar.
Auction: items for sale will be exhibited with the upset price from the beginning of the Seminar, and sold during one of the evening events. Income might be offered to support IRF or contribute to the organization costs of the Seminar.

Danube-Dráva National Park Directorate, Site 1
Introducing the Ranger Service, Site visit to Gemenc

9.30 Arrival at Érsekcsanád, sailing on a river craft (for 34 persons) to Veránka Island. Canoeing down on a 13 km river section taking app. 2,5 hours. Watching game species (wild boar, reed deer) along the river.
12.00 Sailing back to Veránka Island by the river craft. Lunch (local fish soup, pasta with curd cheese).
14.00 An hour walking-tour in the national park. Introduction to the wildlife of Gemenc area, in field discussion about the operation of the Ranger Service.
15.30 Departure back to Kerekegyháza from Érsekcsanád

Danube-Dráva National Park Directorate, Site 2
Ecotourism, environmental education
9.30 Arrival at Ósükkösd, sailing to Gemenc across River Danube by a river craft, then travel to the Bárányfok Leisure Center by a narrow gauge train. Introduction to the ecotourism and education programme of the National Park Directorate. Visit to the exhibit and nature trail. Lunch. Meeting local craftsmen introducing their products. Departure back to Kerekegyháza.

Kiskunság National Park Directorate, Site 1
Nature conservation management (including agricultural activities), species protection projects in the Kiskunság National Park

9.00 Walking-tour from Kunpeszér village to the Hungarian Meadow Viper Conservation Centre. Introducing the related LIFE project, management of habitats. Nature friendly agriculture practices on grasslands.
13.00-14.00 Lunch at Kunszentmiklós
14.00-17.30 Management and agricultural use of alkaline grasslands in the different designated areas (national park, ESA, Natura 2000) in and around the Kiskunság National Park. The Great Bustard LIFE project. Bird watching on different restored habitats.

Kiskunság National Park Directorate, Site 2
Habitat management and rehabilitation

9.00 Arrival at Pusztaszer. 3-3,5 km walking-tour to Büdös-szék (natural alkaline pond), introducing habitat management and restoration activities. Historical aspects of the past thousand years related to the alkaline grassland-wetland mosaic. Grassland management with old Hungarian domestic animal species (Hungarian Grey Cattle, Water Buffalo)
12.30-13.30 Lunch in the Kemencés Csárda
13.30-16.30 Visit to the National Historical Park at Ópusztaszer, introduction to the history of Hungary

19 September (Friday)
9.00-12.00 Presentation about the technical equipment used by the Hungarian Nature Conservation Ranger Service. Assessment of the Seminar - Kunsági-major, Kerekegyháza
12.30- 15.00 Lunch
15.00 Closing speeches, Kunsági-major
18.00 Dinner
Social evening: Hungarian folk music and dance-house with the Csík Band, appr. 1,5 hours

20 September (Saturday)

7.00- 8.00 Breakfast
Departure

For more details including the pre and post seminar programme please go to the home page of the http://www.rangerseminar.org/,where you can find the English version.