During 28-30 May 2019, CNVP Macedonia organised training in Pehcevo to determine the sustainable quantities to be harvested/collected of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) and wild berries. Participants came from all protected areas in Macedonia, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, and Public Enterprise National Forests.

The purpose of the field level training was to demonstrate a methodology for estimating the quantities collected of Juniperus (Juniperus communis). Training covered data collection and processing, as well as increasing stakeholder knowledge for mapping/assessing MAP/wild berry resources.

Training participants were introduced to:

1. the importance of the sustainable use of MAPs and wild berries;
2. the Bulgarian experience of sustainable management of MAPs; and
3. the principles and rules of sustainable use of MAPs (including their collection), and a methodology for estimating and monitoring MAP resources.

The training was organized as part of the project Achieving Biodiversity Conservation through Creation and Effective Management of Protected Areas and Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Land Use Planning (Component 3: Land Use Planning and Biodiversity Mainstreaming). The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and implemented by the UN Environmental Programme and the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning.