İzmir Bird Paradise Protection Association President and Seyrek Mayor Nurgül Uçar stressed the importance of educating İzmir's residents in order for natural treasures in the area to be promoted and preserved.

She said that locals did not know enough about the Gediz delta, one of the Mediterranean's most important wetlands and home to more than 270 different bird and 300 plant species as well as an extensive variety of fish, invertebrate and mammal species.

Among the projects scheduled in the area for 2007 are the establishment of a new bird-watching hide and incentives for more accommodation in the area.

She said: "İzmir Bird Paradise is one of the world's most significant wetlands. We are therefore investigating how we can use the site more effectively. There are some wetland sites in England and Spain similar to İzmir Bird Paradise. We will make a visit to the wetlands in these countries early this year to determine a future strategy."

Located within the borders of İzmir's Çiğli, Menemen and Foça districts, Bird Paradise is a broad coastal wetland. Some of the most interesting bird species observed here include the dalmation pelican, flamingos, ruddy shelduck, great white egret, black-winged stilt and spur-winged plover.