Table of Contents
1 Designing a sustainable future: a personal experience at Pomorie Lake
2 The Pomorie Lake Conservation Brigade: A Tradition of Eco-Friendly Volunteering
3 Birding in Burgas: Discovering Bulgaria’s Natural Wonders
4 Why Volunteer? The Professional Benefits of Eco-Tourism
5 Join Us: A Sustainable Holiday Awaits
Designing a sustainable future: a personal experience at Pomorie Lake
With this blog post, I continue an environmental series of stories about eco-friendly Bulgarian projects.
As a keen birdwatcher who lives in the area, I’ve been fortunate to participate in the Pomorie Lake Conservation Brigade by Green Balkans three times, always getting memorable and enriching experiences.
That's why I decided to make the brigade part of my project titled Mapping Sustainable Holidays in Bulgaria: Combine Volunteering and Holidays! funded by the Bulgarian Fund for Women, which I initiated to raise awareness of eco-friendly travel.
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Pomorie Lake Conservation Brigade in 2021, I designed a commemorative magnet and organized a communication workshop to strengthen the volunteer network.
During these workshops, volunteers not only gained valuable insights into environmental advocacy but also learned how to leverage their social media presence to amplify the Brigade’s mission.
The result?
Over 500 people reached across Bulgaria, Italy, Hungary, Turkey, and Ukraine through a social media campaign focused on the hashtag #рибарка2021, which was inspired by the symbol of Pomorie Lake—the sandwich tern.
I particularly appreciate the privilege of working with talented volunteers to create commemorative items, like the anniversary magnet for the Brigade.
It represents a man launching a kite, —an idea originally conceived by veteran volunteer Stefan Ivanov.
Stefan’s last year's discovery of a discarded kite during a cleanup activity sparked the idea to adopt it as the Brigade’s unofficial symbol. Read the complete story in my previous blog post about the Pomorie Lake Brigade.
This emblem now serves as a reminder of how small actions can lead to powerful change, a message that’s reflected in the logo of my blog and the branding of this project.
My award-winning book Cultural Insights into Conservation Volunteer Bird Watching Holidays in Bulgaria also embodies this philosophy. Download it at the end of the article and explore authentic travel ideas across Bulgaria!
The collaborative manual, which is the culmination of a two-year ethnographic study across various Bulgarian regions, highlights over ten birding conservation projects that engage volunteers in both environmental education and active conservation.
Providing a comprehensive look at sustainable holidays in Bulgaria, the book offers insights into the volunteer opportunities, birdwatching tours, and conservation efforts that make these vacations truly special.
The Pomorie Lake Conservation Brigade: A Tradition of Eco-Friendly Volunteering
The Pomorie Lake Conservation Brigade (1995), operated by Green Balkans for over 25 years, is one of Bulgaria’s most prestigious environmental initiatives, dedicated to protecting and restoring the habitat of migratory water birds.
Located on the Via Pontica migration route, Pomorie Lake is an important stopover for birds traveling between Europe and Africa.
This year's Pomorie Lake Conservation Brigade-2021 was organised in the framework of the project LIFE19 NAT/BG/000804 protection of the Pomorie Lagoon funded by the EU.
The Brigade’s primary focus is the restoration of the sandwich tern population, a gull-like bird that nests in colonies on the lake.
Volunteers participate in habitat restoration projects, including the construction of artificial islands to provide safe nesting grounds.
It’s a hands-on experience that allows nature lovers to contribute directly to bird conservation while learning from experts in the field.
The beauty of these wildlife holidays in Bulgaria is that they offer much more than just volunteer work.
Volunteers engage in informative lectures, group activities, and birdwatching tours in Bulgaria, where they get the chance to witness some of Europe’s most fascinating bird species in their natural habitats.
This is where birdwatching tours in Bulgaria truly come to life, offering a unique, immersive experience that appeals to birders, conservationists, and nature lovers alike.
Birding in Burgas: Discovering Bulgaria’s Natural Wonders
The Pomorie Lake Conservation Brigade is not only about hands-on conservation but also about celebrating an extraordinary birdlife of the Burgas region.
You can spot there flamingos, swans, different ducks and geese.
The lake belongs to the group of Burgas Lakes and is a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts. You'll always learn something new there.
During a recent working session, we were thrilled to know about a great knot, a species previously unrecorded in Bulgaria.
This discovery, captured by volunteer and Bulgarian nature activist Nikolay Kolev, sparked excitement within the Bulgarian birding community and underscored the importance of ongoing conservation efforts.
For those interested in birding in Burgas, there’s no shortage of opportunities to explore its diverse ecosystems.
From Pomorie Lake’s migratory bird colonies to nearby wetlands and nature reserves, the region offers a wealth of biodiversity.
And when combined with a volunteering experience, it becomes the perfect destination for anyone seeking a more meaningful way to experience nature.
Some regular participants of the Pomorie Lake Conservation Brigade wisely combine their holidays with participating in a similar project by Atanasovsko Lake.
You can learn about that the Atanasovsko Lake Camp from my other article.
Why Volunteer? The Professional Benefits of Eco-Tourism
Participating in eco-friendly volunteering activities like the Pomorie Lake Conservation Brigade offers professional and personal growth.
Volunteers develop valuable skills in communication, project management, and teamwork, all while contributing to meaningful environmental change.
These experiences are not only enriching but also serve as an excellent way to build a resume, especially for those interested in careers in conservation, environmental science, and sustainable tourism.
Join Us: A Sustainable Holiday Awaits
If you’re looking to combine birdwatching, wildlife conservation, and volunteering, I invite you to join the next edition of the Pomorie Lake Conservation Brigade.
Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or a first-time volunteer, there’s a place for you in this dynamic community.
And with the help of my award-winning guide to sustainable activities in Bulgaria, you’ll have all the information you need to plan your ideal eco-friendly vacation.
To get started, download my free award-winning guide to sustainable holidays in Bulgaria below. It includes details on how to sign up for birdwatching tours, volunteer opportunities, and other conservation-focused activities throughout the country.
Explore Bulgaria’s most beautiful and ecologically significant regions while helping to protect the habitats of migratory birds. It’s the perfect way to make a difference, enjoy the great outdoors, and leave a lasting legacy.