A Sanctuary for Nature and Community is Under Threat
Nestled where the Asi River meets the Mediterranean Sea, the Milleyha Wetland in Samandağ, Hatay, is one of Türkiye’s most precious ecological treasures. Home to 284 bird species, endangered sea turtles, and a newly discovered endemic plant (Arum milleyhanum), Milleyha is not just a biodiversity hotspot — it is a symbol of resilience.
But this natural haven is in danger.
The February 2023 earthquake left the region devastated. In its aftermath, Milleyha has been subjected to debris dumping, habitat destruction, and increasing development pressure.
A Moment of Crisis and Opportunity
Despite the destruction, we now have a rare opportunity to act.
In partnership with the Samandağ Environmental Protection Association — a well-established local NGO with over 20 years of experience — we are launching a community-led ecological restoration project. This initiative aims to:
Establish two centers for education and conservation, serving as community hubs for environmental learning
- Install an observation tower to support biodiversity monitoring
- Promote ecotourism and raise environmental awareness
- Empower local guides through ecological training and job opportunities
- Protect endangered wildlife and rare plant species
Why Milleyha Matters
- It is a critical stopover for migratory birds on one of the world’s major flyways
- It hosts globally threatened species, including the Greater Spotted Eagle, Marbled Teal, and Ferruginous Duck
- It is home to the highest population of Eastern Mediterranean sea turtles
- Its coastlines provide nesting grounds for endangered Green and Loggerhead turtles
- It is the only known site in Türkiye where all three kingfisher species coexist
- It is home to Arum milleyhanum, a plant species found nowhere else on Earth
What We’re Building
- Two hubs that will be used as education and conservation centers:
These will be built using Yuva Project’s environmentally sustainable and healthy timber shelters that have benefited many local communities after the February 6, 2023 Earthquakes in Türkiye. These locally operated hubs will:
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- Serve as centers for environmental education and biodiversity monitoring
- Offer birdwatching facilities, workshops, and student programs
- Protect Milleyha’s ecological integrity while fostering community pride
- Observation tower: A strategic structure to monitor the ecosystem, guide visitors, and offer a bird’s-eye view of conservation in action.
Join Us in Protecting a Living Treasure
As wildfires rage across Türkiye, taking lives, destroying homes, and consuming forests, we’re forced to confront a difficult truth: the country’s ecological richness is disappearing fast. That’s why protecting the Milleyha Wetland matters now more than ever.
In a time of loss, let’s choose protection. Support our campaign, and let’s reclaim this extraordinary ecosystem together.
