The operational activities of the Biom Association are focused on nature conservation and are organized through departments that bring together experts from different fields, enabling focused and efficient work.
Our activities are organized within the following programs and departments:
Department of Nature Conservation
The Department of Nature Conservation focuses on the protection of birds, mammals, flora and habitats. Through research and monitoring, as well as numerous educational and advocacy activities, this department contributes to the preservation of biodiversity and the implementation of sustainable solutions for nature. The department operates through 4 programs:
Bird Conservation Program
The aim of the Bird Conservation Programme is to contribute to the knowledge of bird populations in Croatia and their conservation through direct conservation measures. This programme contributes to the knowledge of bird populations through the implementation of research and monitoring, and the collected data is used to report to competent authorities (public institutions, ministries) and the public on the state of target bird populations, and also serves as a basis for the development of strategic and operational documents such as action plans and management plans. As part of this programme, we also implement direct conservation measures, which include the removal and prevention of a whole range of threats that negatively affect sensitive bird species both during nesting and during their migration.
Safe Flyways Program
The goal of the Safe Flyways Program is to combat threats to birds such as poaching, poisoning, accidental catches on fishing gear, electrocution of birds on medium-voltage power lines, and collisions with wind turbines and power lines. As part of this program, we monitor and analyze threats to birds, and we use the obtained results to inform state institutions and other relevant stakeholders responsible for combating these threats. We advocate a strategic and systematic solution to these problems and influence decision-makers to ensure that illegal acts against nature are prevented.
Botany and Habitats Program
The objective of the Botany and Habitats Programme is to contribute to the conservation and protection of terrestrial habitats and habitat types through the implementation of research, monitoring and direct conservation measures in order to improve the quality and condition of habitats or individual plant species in these habitats. The work of the programme includes the inventory and mapping of plant species and habitat types in an area, the identification of current and potential problems and threats, and the provision of recommendations for monitoring the condition and the implementation of direct conservation measures. Direct conservation measures are also applied in practice, in cooperation with managers of individual areas, and include the testing and application of various methods aimed at improving the condition of species or habitats. The Botany and Habitats Programme aims to develop and/or participate in the development of management plans, management guidelines and similar documents to improve the management, conservation and protection system of plant species and habitats.
Mammal Conservation Program
The goal of the Mammal Conservation Program is to contribute to the knowledge and protection of poorly known and endangered mammal species and to work systematically on monitoring, controlling and eliminating invasive mammal species in Croatia and the region. With this program, we are primarily focused on researching the ecology of species, mapping and strategic planning of key documents in species management such as action plans, management plans and species monitoring. We also aim to support the development of a national and international network of institutions that, through quality work and good working principles, want to enable the conservation and professional management of mammal species.
Public Outreach Department
The Public Outreach Department combines educational, communication and volunteer activities to increase public awareness of the importance of nature conservation and biodiversity and to encourage active involvement of citizens in these topics. The focus of this department’s work is the development and implementation of educational activities and the creation of educational materials for various target groups, the empowerment of volunteers and members of the Association, and cooperation with local conservation groups. We use various communication channels (social networks, media, website and printed publications) to communicate with the public and disseminate messages, and we also inform the public through communication and advocacy campaigns. Through the synergy of education, communication and volunteerism, the program contributes to strengthening the conservation work of the association and the active participation of the general public in nature conservation.
Finance and Administration Department
The goal of the Finance and Administration Department is to provide support in planning and implementing the financial part of the association’s strategic and operational plans. This includes preparing financial plans and projections and monitoring their implementation, ensuring smooth cash flow or liquidity, and accounting and administrative monitoring of operations. The Finance and Administration Department is also responsible for monitoring legislative changes that affect the functioning of the association, and one of the most important tasks is to ensure timely reporting to the state, compliance with legal regulations, and settlement of obligations in accordance with the prescribed deadlines.
Management
The Board of Directors leads Biom in accordance with the Statute and with the aim of ensuring the effective implementation of the organization’s mission and goals. The Board ensures sustainable management of the organization’s human, financial and other material resources, establishes collaborations with strategic partners, stakeholders and sectors, and conducts advocacy activities in accordance with the organization’s values.