​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
National Park Capacity Building Expedition
Shenandoah National Park, Ohio University, Wayne National Forest, Old Man’s Cave
State Park, Crane Hollow Preserve, Hocking Hills State Park, Statue of Liberty & Ellis
Island National Park, Rock Creek National Park, U.S. National Mall and Monuments.
International Peace Park Expeditions
Ohio University
ERA Group (Environmentally Responsible Action Group)
Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park
REPORT Prepared by:
J. Todd Walters. Executive Director, International Peace Park Expeditions.
www.peaceparkexpeditions.org
3535 13th St. #3 NW Washington DC, 20010. USA.
[email protected]
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​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
OVERVIEW
This post-expedition report pertains to the November 11-19, 2015 National Park
Capacity Building Expedition to the USA from Kosovo, to support Bjeshket e Nemuna
National Park and the civil society NGO Environmentally Responsible Action Group
(ERA). This expedition was funded through a generous grant provided by the United
States Embassy to Kosovo based in Pristine, Kosovo.
Specifically, the Training focused on:
1. Understanding the management of the national park in USA, understanding the
culture of resolving and dealing with certain challenges throughout the time of
establishing the national parks. Being able to see the work that is done inside
those national park in person such as guide interpretation, infrastructure
management, democratic decision making, promotion of natural values.
2. Learning first hand from expert practitioners how to develop national park
planning, management and administration plans which balance tourism,
infrastructure development and maintenance, and recreation planning and
management; with biodiversity mapping, monitoring and study; alongside
implementing and enforcing the new national park laws.
3. Increasing the cooperation between the government and civil society by
providing a 24/7 collaborative learning opportunity, and a space to cultivate
multiple informal discussions of ways that Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park can
better collaborate with ERA Group and the communities living within the Park
boundaries.
4. Building partnerships with key academics and park institutions in the United
States to build ongoing collaborations that increase capacity for park and civil
society actors in Kosovo?
GOAL
The goal of this course was to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The
curriculum combined traditional reading materials and facilitated discussions (the
theory) with cross cultural experiences, guest lectures from subject matter experts and
site visits for real world observations of concepts in action (the practice). At the
culmination of the expedition, the participants should have a strong understanding of a
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​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
diverse array of subject matter through this cross disciplinary approach, including park
management, biodiversity preservation, managing the visitor experience, generating
national park revenue streams, coordinating with local communities, recreation
management; as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by professionals in the
field as they deal with implementation of the rule of law. Furthermore it is critical to
have shared learning experiences and unstructured networking time together for the
Director of Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park, who is from another region of Kosovo,
with the Environmental NGO Director who has lived and worked in the area that is now
the National Park for his whole life, and was the civil society representative to the
Kosovar Parliament for the creation of the Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park Law. This
expedition will provide valuable time to bond & help them build a pattern of cooperation.
Finally, this specific program also sought to bring together key public and civil society
leadership around new national parks in Kosovo so their joint learning experience will
form the basis of deeper and more productive collaboration on managing one of
Kosovo's new national parks.
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​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
List of Participants
1
Delegation Leader
2
National
Sustainable
Development
Consultant
3
4
5
6
NAME
Fatmir
Morina
ORGANIZATION
Bjeshket e Nemuna
National Park
Burim Leci
Management &
Development Associates
Environmentally
NGO Leadership
Fatos Lajci Responsible Action (ERA)
group
Environmentally
National Park/Youth
Yllka Bojku Responsible Action (ERA)
Volunteer
group
NGO Staff or
Environmentally
Bardh
National Park
Responsible Action (ERA)
Sanaja
Volunteer
group
NGO Staff or
Environmentally
Parsim
National Park
Responsible Action (ERA)
Sanaja
Volunteer
group
POSITION
Director
Head of Division for
Government Development
Associates
Executive Director
Environmental Education
Volunteer/Youth Coordinator
Program & Research Assistant
Mountain Guide/Logistics
Coordinator
Expedition Leader
Todd Walters​ ​is the founder and Executive Director of International Peace Park Expeditions, a
nonprofit that utilizes experiential learning for environmental peacebuilding through teaching
accredited academic expeditions and fellowships. Trained in international conservation,
peacebuilding, and outdoor education, Walters has adapted a Peace & Conflict Impact
Assessment methodology to transboundary protected areas, and produced short documentary
films in the Transcending Boundaries series which portray multiple stakeholder perspectives
concerning environmental peacebuilding in transboundary protected areas. In collaboration with
universities, he regularly leads students on study tours in the Balkans and Central America with
new programs in North America and East Asia.
Walters is the first Fellow at the Policy Center for Environment and Peace at Conservation
International where he provides strategic guidance and technical input on integrating
environmental peacebuilding into existing Conservation International programs and new
program designs; and fosters relationships through a partnership building strategy. Walters is
also a member of the Transboundary Conservation Specialist Group at the International Union
for the Conservation of Nature where he is developing a practitioner's’ training curriculum on
Transboundary Conservation best practices and is a Fellow at the Institute for Environmental
Diplomacy and Security. Walters is a National Outdoor Leadership School certified adventure
guide with wilderness first responder emergency medical training, has led expeditions in dozens
of countries around the globe, and has published a number of chapters and articles on
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​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
environmental peacebuilding.
Expedition Partner - Ohio University
Geoff Dabelko​ is Professor and Director of the Environmental Studies Program at the
George V. Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University in
Athens, OH. He teaches and conducts research on natural resources, conflict, and
peacebuilding; global environmental politics; climate change and security; and
environmental leadership. He is currently focusing on the conflict and peacebuilding
potential of climate change responses. He co-directs an environmental peacebuilding
study abroad program in the Balkans in collaboration with International Peace Park
Expeditions.
From 1997-2012, he served as director of the Environmental Change and Security
Program (ECSP), a nonpartisan policy forum on environment, population, and security
issues at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C.
He continues to work as a senior advisor to the Wilson Center. Dabelko has directed
grants from a range of international and national organizations such as the UN
Environment Program and the US Agency for International Development. Dabelko is
co-editor of Green Planet Blues: Critical Perspectives on Global Environmental Politics
(5th ed., 2014) and Environmental Peacemaking (2002). He was a lead author for the
5th assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group II
Chapter 12 on Human Security released in 2014.
Founded in 1804, Ohio University is a Research 1 public university based with
approximately 25,000 students on its main campus in Athens, OH. Students come from
114 different countries and around the United State. OU’s Voinovich School of
Leadership and Public Affairs features Master’s degrees in Environmental Studies and
Public Administration and conducts applied research and consulting with over 150
active ongoing projects.
Alexndra Sargent​ - MS in Environmental Studies Student, Ohio University. Balkans
Academic Expedition Alum 2014.​ ​ Balkans Academic Expedition Student Leader 2015 &
upcoming Balkans Academic Expedition Student Leader in 2016. Graduate Assistant
with Professor Geoff Dabelko, Voinovich School.
Grace Keyes​ - Undergraduate Student and Voinovich Scholar, Ohio University.
Balkans Academic Expedition Alum 2015. IPPE Embedded Fellow in Kosovo with ERA
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​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
Group 2015 - Project: Baseline Survey Of Rugove Valley Communities concerning
Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park. Balkans Academic Expedition. Upcoming Student
Leader in 2016
Nicole Morino​ - Undergraduate Student, Ohio University. Balkans Academic Expedition
Alum 2015. IPPE Embedded Fellow in Kosovo with ERA Group 2015 - Project: Baseline
Survey Of Rugove Valley Communities concerning Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park.
GUEST LECTURERS
John Hendrick & Steve Bear​ - Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
Jim Northup ​- Superintendent, Shenandoah National Park
Sally Hurlbert​ - Interpretive Ranger, Shenandoah National Park
Nicole Morino​ - Student, Balkans Expedition Alum, Ohio University Tour
Dr. Geoff Buckley​ - Geography Professor, Ohio University
Dr. Willem Rosenburg​ - Biological Sciences Professor, Ohio University
Danny Twilley ​- Recreation and Sport Pedagogy Associate Lecturer, Ohio University
Allan Craig ​- Nelsonville Bypass Project Chief Engineer, Ohio Department of
Transportation
Rob Wiley​ - Senior Field Ecologist, Ohio University
Scott Miller​ - Director, Consortium on Energy, Economics, and the Environment, Ohio
University
Linda Andrews​ - Wildlife Biologist, Wayne National Forest
Heather Stehle ​- Executive Director, Crane Hollow Preserve
Pat Quackenbusch​ - Naturalist, Ranger, Old Man’s Cave State Park
Jeff Dosik​ - Ranger, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island National Park
Jon Piltzecker ​- Superintendent, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island National Park
Tony ​(last name withheld for security) - Director, Park Police & SWAT Team, Statue of
Liberty and Ellis Island National Park
Jerry Hawn ​- Interpretive Ranger for VIPs - U.S. National Mall and Monuments
Tony Linforth ​- Interpretive Ranger - Rock Creek National Park
Jon Putnam​ - International Park Specialist - U.S. National Park Service - Office of
International Affairs
Rudy D’Allesandro​ - International Cooperation Specialist - U.S. National Park Service Office of International Affairs
Carol Cook​ -Park Planning and Special Studies - U.S. National Park Service
Brooke Linford​ - PASS Program, U.S. National Park Service
John Dennis​ - Deputy Superintendent of Science, U.S. National Park Service
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​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
HOW
International Peace Park Expeditions utilized the best of traditional academic teaching
and learning practices, combined with proven experiential learning methodologies to
create a unique, dynamic expedition which provided participants with a strong
understanding of National Park establishment, planning, management, and
collaborative efforts with communities, organizations, universities and other government
agencies.
Pedagogy
Reading Materials​ - provided before the expedition, gathered throughout the
expedition from the places we visited and the people we met, and compiled and
shared as reference materials after the participants returned home.
Guest Lectures​ - Superintendents of U.S. National Parks, Rangers of U.S.
National Parks and National Forests, Heads of Security, Directors of Private
Nature Reserves, Professors at Ohio University with relevant expertise,
Department of Transportation Professionals, and members of Volunteer Based
Organizations that cooperate with National Parks and Communities.
Teachable Moments​ - Instructors identify and leverage these learning
opportunities by providing brief explanations and Q&A. These are place based
learning opportunities that connect with all of the senses, and create powerful
memories and specific examples in the real world.
Experiential Learning​ - Instructors facilitated reflective discussions that elicit
learning from participant experiences and compile shared knowledge into a
collaborative set of notes about the expedition learning experience.
Building Networks -​ The format of the program enabled the participants to build
linkages with a wide variety of experts in a growing network that will provide them
ongoing resources through consultation and exchange. This networking was in part
facilitated by the public talks the Kosovar delegation members gave at Ohio
University.
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​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
ITINERARY:
Day 1:​ Wednesday, November 11.
Participants arrived at Dulles International Airport in Washington DC and were picked
up in a 12 passenger van. Stopped at REI Outdoor Store to shop for gear and
equipment. Drove to Shenandoah National Park (87 miles / 140 km), and backpacked
under headlamp to Corbin Cabin - where Ohio University students from the 2014 and
2015 Balkans Academic Expedition (Alexandra Sargent, Grace Keyes and Nicole
Morino) had prepared a fire to warm up the cabin and make a hot dinner. We ate,
talked, and reviewed the expedition itinerary.
Day 2:​ Thursday, November 12.
After eating breakfast in the cabin, we hiked out, reviewing the trail infrastructure
(signage, markings, posted rules and regulations, and the infrastructure of water runoff
barriers, and erosion reinforcement.) We reviewed the Leave No Trace guidelines, and
packed out all of our garbage. At the Pinnacle Rocks Picnic Area, we met with ​John
Hendrick and Steve Bear from the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club ​(PATC) - who
introduced us to the volunteer trail maintenance organization and its programs and
responsibilities, and explained how it functions financially, and how it cooperates with
Shenandoah National Park and other National Parks, National Forests and State Parks.
Participants were particularly interested in the Ridge Runner program (which assigns a
local community member who is a part of the PATC responsibility for a specific trail,
including its maintenance and use, and gathering data from/on hikers and others who
use the trail); Trail Maintenance Reports and volunteer Trail Work Crews; Certification
training programs for use of chainsaws and traditional trail maintenance tools; and
Membership - cost and benefits, outlining what the money is used for. After lunch at the
Shenandoah National Park Grand Meadow Visitor Center, we met with ​Superintendent
Jim Northup ​to attend a presentation on the history of Shenandoah National Park,
Community relations between the Park and local communities and user groups, and
Concessions and revenue generation; and a discussion on the Visitor’s experience,
roles and responsibilities of different National Park Staff, and seasonal staffing.
Superintendent Northup indicated that “designated wilderness areas” within the National
Park, have stricter use requirements - i.e. no building, no roads, and no use of
mechanical tools or transportation permitted, and strictly access the area by foot, and
overnight stay by tent, without campfire. After the 90 minute discussion. we left the
visitor center for an Interpretive Hike with ​Ranger Sally Hurlbert, ​who took us to three
sites within a 2 mile walk through Grand Meadow. We first explored laminated
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​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
photographs of the ecosystem through time, so that we could see the restoration and
maintenance process impact. We then hiked to an old ruined stone foundation where
Ranger Hurlbert told the story of the elderly couple who had built the cabin that once
stood upon the foundation and lived on the land their whole lives before it became a
National Park. Finally, we hiked to an area where the Civilian Conservation Corps had
built their camp barracks, and saw the innovative way that they revealed the footprint of
the barracks by roping off an area where they did not mow the grass, so that the
building outlines were visible through the different height of the natural grasses. She
had laminated photos, told interesting stories, and utilized an approach that encouraged
questions and conversation, enabling her to share the story of the place. After the 90
minute hike, we got back in the van and drove along Skyline Drive and saw a beautiful
sunset, stopped at the interpretive signs posted in viewpoints throughout the trip, and
discussed what made the signs interesting to read, resilient to weather and vandalism,
and accessible to different park user groups. We drove 2 and ½ hours to McHenry,
Maryland (87 miles / 140 km - a halfway stop between Shenandoah and Ohio
University), and met Dr. Geoff Dabelko for a traditional brick oven pizzeria dinner, in
order to stay in his family lake house for the night. Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake
is an area rich in State Parks and ecotourism infrastructure and provided an opportunity
to brief the delegation on the region.
Day 3:​ Friday, November 13.
We had an early start to the morning with coffee and a light breakfast at the house, then
we got in the van to drive (148 miles / 238 km) (3 hours) to Athens, Ohio, where Ohio
University is based. When we arrived, OU tour guide Nicole Morino gave us a tour of
the campus starting at the Baker Student Center. A faculty briefing over lunch at Alden
Library featured three presentations. ​Dr. Geoff Buckley,​ a professor of Geography and
expert in the evolution of state and national parks in the United States, spoke about
State Parks and State Forests. He focused particularly on reforestation efforts and
multiple use zones in National Parks in Alaska as perhaps a close analogue to some of
the challenges faced in Kosovo. ​Dr. Willem Rosenburg​, professor of Biological
Sciences and a world leader in the study of turtles and snakes, focused on his work
using science and data to inform policy-making and advocacy efforts to protect
endangered species (terrapin turtles and timber rattlesnakes). He shared research from
an ongoing study of the wildlife impact of the Nelsonville Highway Bypass through
Wayne National Forest, a challenge the Kosovar delegation faces with a proposed
highway through Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park to Montenegro.​ Danny Twilley​, an
associate lecturer in Recreation and Sports Pedagogy and an expert in ecotourism,
addressed its role in recreation in National Parks and in support of conservation and
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​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
local livelihood development. These presentations featured active discussion with the
Kosovo delegation. After a break for lunch as guests of the Ohio University
Environmental Studies Program, our participants prepared for their public presentation.
During our presentation we faced a packed room of 50+ people, and were welcomed by
the Vice Provost for Global Affairs at Ohio University, Dr. LJ Edmonds. Fatmir Morina
and Fatos Lajci spoke about Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park, its geography and
ecology and the politics around its creation, and shared a detailed powerpoint
presentation with statistical data and stunning photographs. They emphasized the
challenges as well as the opportunities for a brand new national park with very limited
financial resources. Bardh Sanaja and Parsim Sanaja then presented on the
Transboundary Balkan Lynx Recovery Program and Network between Albania,
Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro. They discussed the biology, the transboundary
cooperation, and the field work in Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park, placing wildlife
camera traps to prove the presence of the endangered species within the park. After
answering questions from the audience and taking a quick coffee break, which enabled
us to explore Athens, we visited Dr. Geoff Dabelko’s house where he and his family
hosted a catered dinner with us as the VIP guests. Among the 60+ attendees,
participants included student alumni from the 2014 and 2015 expeditions, prospective
students for the 2016 expedition, faculty and staff from numerous university
departments, environmental NGOs and land conservancies, and the university’s Center
for Global Affairs. At the conclusion of the evening, the participants departed and
stayed with host families for the night.
Day 4: ​Saturday, November 14.
After having breakfast with our homestay families, we gathered as a group at the
Voinovich School of Leadership at Ohio University for a presentation on the award
winning Nelsonville Highway Bypass constructed through the heart of Wayne National
Forest which included a number of wildlife mitigation architectural design features
constructed for the first time in the Eastern part of the United States. Our Kosovar
delegation was interested specifically in this construction because of the proposed
highway to be built through newly gazetted Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park to
connect Kosovo and Montenegro to the TransBalkan HIghway system which is
connected to the European Union. Through the course of the discussion, it became
clear the Kosovar participants would like to see the highway routed differently so that it
does not bisect the National Park and would like to ensure that similar highway wildlife
mitigation design and construction techniques are built to minimize the impact on the
endangered and endemic species in Bjeshket e Nemuna. Our first presentation on the
Nelsonville Highway Bypass construction was delivered by ​Allan Craig, ​the ​lead
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​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
project engineer for the Ohio Department of Transportation​; and he was followed
by ​Linda Andrews, ​a ​wildlife biologist for Wayne National Forest, ​who coordinates
the Nelsonville Bypass collaboration with the Ohio Department of Transportation. After
exploring the maps and photos and answering questions, our participants from Kosovo
shared maps and photos from Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park and the details of the
route of the proposed highway project, and the anticipated environmental impacts,
particularly concerning habitat fragmentation and negative impacts on migratory
species, and endangered species like the Balkan Lynx. Also joining the conversation
that morning during the presentations, and participating in the site visits afterwards were
Scott Miller from E3 - Energy, Economics and the Environment, and Robert Wiley a
senior field ecologist, both with the Voinovich School of Leadership at Ohio University,
and Garrett Sisson, an Ohio University PhD Student in Biology who conducted much of
the field research concerning the wildlife mitigation structures in Wayne National Forest
for species like the timber rattlesnake and salamanders. The Voinovich School and
Department of Biological Sciences is conducting a four year study on the wildlife
impacts of the bypass funded by the Ohio Department of Transportation. Our big group
put on hardhats, and reflective vests and drove out to the Nelsonville Bypass and
Wayne National Forest for site visits. First, we stopped at the Wayne National Forest
Visitor Center and learned about the resources available at the center, the renewable
energy and other green design features of the center, and the responsibilities of the
rangers. Our second stop was at a Salamander Tunnel that connected a wetlands that
was bisected by an offramp from the Bypass, and Garrett Sission explained its design,
and the data that he had gathered, and how it could be better designed in the future.
Third, we stopped at a bridge underpass and saw the large culvert tunnel, which was
developed to allow for 100 year flood risk management and which had become a de
facto wildlife migration corridor under the highway for deer, bear and bobcat. This stop
continued a lively discussion between Ohio University project staff and the Kosovar
delegates regarding camera trapping strategies. Finally, we stopped at the top of that
same bridge and saw the deer jump out structures and the rattlesnake fence, designed
to allow deer to get out of the highway if they somehow get over, under or through the
deer fence; and to prevent rattle snakes from getting onto the highway. This site visit
also highlighted the multiple uses of National Forest Land, as we saw two ATV (All
Terrain Vehicles) users race down a trail and through a highway underpass designed
for human recreational use. We also saw endangered bat species nesting boxes built
underneath the bridge, and saw that the bridge was not over a water source, but over a
meadow, to allow it to serve as a migratory pathway under the highway for animals. We
said goodbye to our the ODOT and NFS staff (as well as a local reporter who had been
accompanying the group) and headed off to ​Crane Hollow Reserve​ where we were
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​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
welcomed by Executive Director ​Heather Stehle, ​with a hot lunch on a back porch with
a beautiful view of Crane Hollow. After lunch, Heather gave a presentation on the
history of Crane Hollow, and discussed how it became a private nature reserve, how it
is different from a National Park, a State Park, or a National Forest, and how they
manage relationships with their neighbors in the buffer zone of the Private Nature
Reserve’s borders. We visited this particular preserve because of the shared challenges
of park officials living with current and former private landowners in and around newly
designated park areas. When questions on funding and hunting and scientific permits
were exhausted, we were led on a private guided tour of one part of the Nature Reserve
by naturalist Joe Moosbrugger, the Assistant Preserve Manager. We explored the
unique geology of the sandstone cliff formations, the challenge of dealing with the
electric utility to remove a high voltage power line that cut through the preserve, and the
different land management principles in a Nature Reserve, which has much less human
visitation and impact because the limited number of permits that are granted each year
for scientific study, education programs (like ours) and limited hunting, and no tourism.
This status contrasted sharply with our next stop: Old Man’s Cave State Park, the most
visited State Park in Ohio, with around 4 million visitors annually on average. We were
met by ​Pat Quackenbusch​, Head Naturalist and Ranger at Old Man’s Cave State Park,
and he gave us a private tour of the park, its facilities and some of the interpretation that
he does for visitors as the Head Naturalist. He highlighted the need for effective
planning and management of the Park visitor experience, the facilities for recreation,
education, and waste management. He stressed the need to consider risk
management, and the building of barriers or structures to mitigate that risk for all
visitors, young and old. He also talked about emergency rescue and evacuation in the
case of injury, and the coordination with local emergency first responders, ambulances,
helicopters and medical facilities. He concluded our hike at the Naturalist’s Cabin
where they had restored and filled the Cabin with historic artifacts and everyday use
items from 200+ years ago. He had prepared “information bags” for all of our
participants with a number of resources, including copies of the Management Plan for
Old Man’s Cave State Park. After a question and answer session and a group photo,
we loaded up the van and drove to the top of the hill for a beautiful sunset dinner at
Hocking Hills Lodge in Hocking Hills State Park. After dinner on the drive back to
Athens and their homestay families the participants requested time for shopping to
experience the American consumer culture of Walmart.
Day 5:​ Sunday, November 15.
Travel Day - Drive from Athens, OH to New York City, NY (440 miles / 708 km). We
started the day with a typical American diner breakfast with all of our participants and
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​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
our homestay family hosts, and some of the guest lecturers who joined us during our
visit to Athens and the surrounding area. After breakfast, a tearful goodbye filled with
hugs and promises to stay in touch, and hopes to see each other again soon, led to an
emotional departure. Participants commented on how powerful it was to build such
deep friendships in such a short period of time; and how they enjoyed American
hospitality through the homestays and the educational experience of the University and
the diverse natural sites. After a break for lunch, during this 9 hour drive, participants
reflected on the Expedition to date, and through a facilitated discussion began compiling
a shared set of notes outlining what they had learned from each speaker and each
location. As the sun was setting, we drove into New York City, with its city lights
sparkling, and navigated the traffic to find our apartment for the next two days in the
heart of Manhattan. After checking in, and taking a rest after the long day in the van,
we explored our neighborhood of Battery Park on foot, and found a restaurant to enjoy
dinner.
Day 6: ​ Monday, November 16.
Early morning wakeup and breakfast took place across the street at a quick serve cafe
before we walked the several blocks down to Battery Square Park and the Hudson
River near Fort Clinton where we met up with Arian Gjura. Arian is one of my
colleagues in Albania, based in Shkodra who helped to chair the Albanian NGO
(Balkans Peace Park Project) B3P Albania (modeled after and supported by their UK
counterpart B3P UK). Arian joined us for the morning and provided an update on the
Albanian government’s recent declaration of Alpe Shiptare National Park in Northern
Albania, comprising former Thethi National Park and Valbona National Park (which
were paper parks in name only). Alpe Shiptare National Park matches the borders of
Prokletije National Park in Montenegro and Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park in Kosovo
- setting the stage to create three functioning National Parks, one in each country, then
link them across borders into a transboundary park that protects the entire mountain
ecosystem, and eventually to dedicate them as a formal International Peace Park.
Connecting Arian with our participants was a critical learning experience for both sides,
which will help to strengthen the potential cross border collaborative process that now
presents itself. We hope that future US capacity building expeditions can include
National Park staff and Civil Society representatives from all three countries. At 8:30
am we were met by ​Jeff Dosik​, a Ranger at Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island National
Park, and he whisked us through the VIP security line and we rode the Staff Ferry
across the Hudson River to Ellis Island, arriving 30 minutes before the public and
receiving a private tour of Ellis Island, with particular focus and time spent on the
Contemporary Immigration exhibit. Our participants were fascinated to learn the history
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​2015 USA Expedition from Kosovo Report
of immigration in the US in detail and were pleasantly surprised to find a large portrait of
an Albanian women in traditional dress immigrating 100 years ago in the Faces of
Immigrants exhibit. After our private tour, Ranger Dosik brought us to the
Superintendent’s Office where we met with Superintendent ​Jon Piltzecker ​and ​Tony
(last name withheld for security) the Director of the Park Police & SWAT Team for the
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island National Park. Jon discussed the use of audio aids to
allow visitors to have their own private audio interpretation in different locations within
the museum, on Ellis Island and on Liberty Island. This allows visitors to progress at
their own pace, allows for the interpretation to be done in multiple languages allowing
the visitor the opportunity to experience the audio in the language of their choice, and
creates a more powerful and memorable visitor experience for visitors who do not take
a ranger led tour. Tony discussed security measures in the park, and related it to
border security and other law enforcement roles of Park Police and SWAT Team
members. Tony also outlined training for law enforcement officers, which helps officers
to fully understand the values of the National Park and the best ways to ensure the
safety of staff and visitors to the park, while minimizing their impact on the visitor
experience. One area that Jon explained that might have excellent specific value for
Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park is the Superintendent’s Compendium - which is a
unique set of rules and regulations to each National Park, that the Superintendent is
allowed to set, and are enforced by the Rangers and Park Police in each park. These
rules and regulations include entrance fees, hours of operation, seasonal regulations
and staffing periods, and many other locally specific details of the National Park
management. He discussed public private partnership, particularly through park
concessions to provide ferry rides, manage the gift shop, run the restaurant, and
manage the waste. Annually, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island National Park raise
$12-15M through concessions contracts, and the remainder of the operating budget is
provided by the US Federal Government and partnerships with nonprofits to fundraise in
order to invest in different projects. Also of interest was the concept of a deferred
maintenance list (identifying a list of projects that you want to implement, but can not
accomplish until there are funds available). From the Superintendent’s Office (which is
on Ellis Island), we boarded the Ferry with Ranger Dosik and took the short ride to
Liberty Island where we again skipped the public lines and were taken on a private VIP
tour of the Statue of Liberty. We saw the original torch, explored the historical museum,
and ascended up to the base of the pedestal observation deck for outstanding views of
New York City, New Jersey and the Hudson River. Ranger Dosik took us through
concessions for lunch which we ate outside in the sun on the unseasonably warm
November afternoon. We boarded the ferry back to Battery Square Park and said our
goodbyes to Arian. The remaining hours of the afternoon were spent exploring lower
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Manhattan; visiting the 9/11 Memorial, the New York Stock Exchange, enjoying the
architecture, window shopping and people watching. We went out to dinner at an Indian
Restaurant near our apartment, and met up with a number of Kosovar diaspora in the
evening to share our expedition.
Day 7: ​ Tuesday, November 17.
Travel Day - Drive from New York City, NY to Washington DC (204 miles / 328 km). We
checked out of our apartment and again had breakfast at the quick serve cafe and piled
back into the van to head to Washington DC. Again, during the drive, we had facilitated
discussion reviewing what we learned, and debating options and applications of certain
ideas in Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park. This time was also invaluable from a
collaborative working perspective between the National Park Director and the Civil
Society participants to identify how to articulate roles and responsibilities, enabling them
to work together to achieve shared goals. Upon arrival in Washington D.C., we visited
the Pentagon City Mall, where participants shopped, visited cafes, and relaxed after the
drive. After checking into our hostel and getting settled we went to dinner at a Mexican
restaurant and prepared for the following day by going over the schedule for our time in
Washington D.C.
Day 8: ​ Wednesday, November 18.
After breakfast at the hostel, we drove down to the National Mall and parked at the
Ranger Station and met with ​Jerry Hawn ​the Interpretive Ranger for VIPs on the U.S.
National Mall and Monuments. Jerry has provided tours for Heads of State, Generals,
and Celebrities, and we started our day visiting the top of the Washington Monument,
the Lincoln Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Monument. Jerry shared
history, anecdotes, and symbolism of each of the three locations; and endeavored to
relate this symbolism to Kosovo and the history our delegation had lived through - the
conflict, the statebuilding, the social movements, and the peacebuilding process. We
thanked Jerry and left the MLK Monument and drove through Rock Creek National Park
to meet with ​Tony Linforth ​an Interpretive Ranger based at the Rock Creek Nature
Center. Tony provided us with time to explore the Nature Center exhibits, particularly
the taxidermy of the fauna found in Rock Creek Park, like the white tailed deer, raccoon,
woodchuck, even the bald eagle. Tony then brought us into the only Planetarium in the
U.S. National Park system, and gave us a brief presentation on the night sky, including
the educational programming which he holds for urban school students who often do
not get to ever see the night sky due to the urban light pollution. We then headed
outside and into Rock Creek National Park on one of the trails. We passed the Horse
Stables, which were established by an Act of Congress, and are concessions within the
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park. We wound down the hill towards Rock Creek discussing the health of the forest
and the use of the park by different user groups (for example, the cycling community
successfully advocated to ensure that the roads are closed to vehicles on the weekend
to allow for safe cycling.) We reached an area where Tony stopped us and indicated
that this was one of the few locations in Washington D.C. that had actually seen battle
action during the Civil War; and he described the history and the scene using the lay of
the land to help us imagine the battle that was uncovered by archeologists who found
musket balls and other evidence in that location. We continued along the trail by rock
creek and discussed the creek flooding and its impact on the visitor experience, by
sometimes uprooting trees, carrying trash downstream and picking up and moving
infrastructure like picnic tables and benches. We then wound back up the hill towards
the Nature Center and discussed the wildlife and the recent controversial decision to
hunt the two herds of white tail deer with sharpshooters to control the population.
Finally, we passed piles of carefully stacked marble stones and learned that they were
pieces which were not used for the post Civil War reconstruction of the U.S. Capitol
Building, and they were placed here to be used if there was ever any damage or need
for replacement parts. We broke for a late lunch and then had a few different options
for the afternoon. Some participants took a nap back at the hostel, some walked to visit
the White House, and some were dropped off at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural
History. We reconvened as a group for our last night celebration dinner at a Laotian
Restaurant, where we enjoyed food none of the participants had ever tried before; and
strategized for our meeting in the morning with the U.S. National Park Service’s Office
of International Affairs; and the logistical details to make sure we were packed and
prepared to check-out and travel to the airport.
Day 9: ​ Thursday, November 19.
After breakfast at the hostel and a coffee meeting, we headed into the U.S. National
Park Service’s Office of International Affairs, where we met with ​Jon Putnam,​ the
International Park Specialist who helped us to secure the VIP treatment and meetings
with the National Park Superintendents and Rangers for the expedition; ​Rudy
D’Allesandro​, an International Cooperation Specialist who helps to coordinate Sister
Park relationships with National Parks in other countries; ​Carol Cook​, a Park Planning
Expert with the U.S. National Park Service; ​Brooke Linford​, who helped design and
manages the PASS Program for National Park entrance fees for the U.S. National Park
Service and ​John Dennis,​ the Deputy Superintendent of Science for the U.S. National
Park Service. The wide ranging conversation dove into depth on topics like park
entrance fees and permits, public participation in the fee setting process, and a public
communications strategy; to the Wilderness Act of 1964 and some areas of National
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Parks which can be designated as Wilderness Areas where man can not build roads, or
structures, or use motors; to the permitting process for scientific study, citizen science
initiatives like “Bio Blitz” which is a species count in a certain area over a certain period
of time - usually 24-48 hours; to the National Park Planning Process and foundational
documents that highlight the role and purpose of the park, its significance, the key
resources and values it represents, the interpretive themes it can teach through story
telling, and discuss how the national park relates to the community and other
stakeholders, and an assessment of park management needs. We also learned about
the International Visitor Leadership Program through the State Department and the
Sister Parks relationships that can be established between US National Parks and
National Parks of other countries, which include technical capacity building around
addressed needs. Participants answered extensive questions about Bjeshket e
Nemuna, its establishment, its challenges, its successes, and its vision for the future.
Participants asked questions after each of the mini presentations regarding details that
were particularly relevant to Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park. We then took a couple
of group photos and said our goodbyes with a hope to maintain connections for future
collaborative opportunities, including an expedition to Kosovo for U.S. National Park
Service staff to collaboratively conduct an assessment for future capacity building
trainings and exchanges; and consideration of Sister Park potential. We then returned
to the van for the final time and headed to lunch and then Dulles International Airport,
where we shared hugs, expressed our gratitude, and said goodbye. Rruge te Mbare!
CONCLUSION
The USA Expedition from Kosovo focused on National Park Capacity Building and
Cultural Educational Exchange. It went smoothly without any logistical challenges once
participants arrived in the United States. All participants were actively engaged in the
expedition and the learning opportunities that were created for them. Meaningful
experiential learning opportunities were created in collaboration with the experts who
manage National Parks, National Forests, State Parks, Private Nature Reserves,
National Monuments and Memorials and Nature Centers. Meaningful interaction was
cultivated with professionals from all of the government agencies; alongside expertise
provided by Ohio University across various disciplines from parks and recreation
planning, to biology for policymaking to ecotourism development. Participants also had
the opportunity to experience a homestay with an American family, to stay in a private
primitive cabin, to stay in an apartment, and a hostel. Participants also tasted a range
of types of American cuisine and tried different types of food from around the world in
metropolitan centers in New York and Washington DC.
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Returning to our three objectives for the expedition: 1. The objective Increasing the
knowledge base concerning National Park Management Plans, and the capabilities
needed to effectively implement the Plans was achieved and now solely needs to be
applied. 2. The objective Learning first hand from expert practitioners was also
achieved - see the Guest Lecturer list and the Itinerary. 3. Experience a 24/7
collaborative learning opportunity, and a space to allow multiple informal discussions of
ways that Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park can better collaborate with ERA Group and
the communities living within the Park boundaries: this objective was achieved
throughout the expedition often in unstructured time during travel, hikes, over meals,
and at cafes.
The Post Expedition Survey highlights the depth of knowledge gained by participants in
this extensive 10 day expedition.
Select quotes include:
● “Every part of the expedition was useful and needed for us. We learned
something new in every place where we went and from every person we talked
to.”
● “Our group is ready and really excited to apply all the things that we learned
during the expedition.”
● “I gained a greater understanding of the management of the national parks in
USA, understanding the culture of resolving and dealing with certain challenges
throughout the time of establishing the national parks. Being able to see the work
that is done inside those national park in person such as guide interpretation,
infrastructure management, democratic decision making, and the promotion of
natural values.”
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
1. Processing of the visas by the U.S. Consulate in Skopje, Macedonia created an
initial delay which forced us to postpone our initial start date.
2. International Flights to the United States were originally purchased which routed
participants through Berlin, Germany, and none of our participants had a
Shengen Visa, just a U.S. Visa, and they were not allowed to board the flights.
Fortunately we were able to cancel the flights before it took off, securing the
project a full refund. However, this also caused the initial start date to be
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postponed a second time.
3. The U.S. is a big place and it is a lot to ask for the guests to do cover such long
distances, spending so much time in the van. Not all guests would be willing to
do that, but based on strong personal relationships Todd has built with
participants over the past 7 years, it was manageable. This would be more
difficult if that prior relationship was not in place. Future programs should
consider additional in-country travel budgets for flights to cover drives more then
4 hours.
4. Participants requested longer time in each location. There was a sentiment that
an additional day in each location (3 days instead of 2) would allow more depth
for learning, relationship building, a less packed agenda, and more space for free
time. Additionally, it was requested to have a break day in the middle that
participants could do what they wanted to.
NEXT STEPS AND EVOLUTION OF THE PROJECT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE
1. Possible collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo to partner with
International Peace Park Expeditions to facilitate any or all opportunities 2-6
outlined below in pursuit of #7, establishing a formal Sister Park relationship with
the United States National Park Service - Office of International Affairs,
Shenandoah National Park and Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park.
2. Expedition to Kosovo to Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park by experts from the
US National Park Service and other agencies, Universities and Organizations to
conduct an assessment to collaboratively identify and prioritize technical training
needs.
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3. Placement of Scientists from Ohio University and other Universities in Bjeshket e
Nemuna National Park and with ERA Group to conduct field research in the fields
of biology, forestry, hydrology, ecotourism, and parks and recreation
management.
4. 2016 USA Expedition with participants from Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park,
Kosovo, Prokletije National Park, Montenegro and Alpe Shiptare National Park in
Albania to visit Waterton Glacier International Peace Park and learn about
transboundary park collaboration.
5. Participation of a delegation for Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park, Prokletije
National Park and Alpe Shiptare National Park in the 2016 Hands Across
Borders event for Transboundary Conservation Practitioners based on the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Transboundary
Conservation Best Practice Guidelines.
6. Systematic exploration of Fulbright and other funding opportunities to meet
expressed interest of participants in undergraduate, graduate, and training
opportunities at Ohio University
7. Pursuit of an official Sister Park relationship between Shenandoah National Park
in the USA and Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park in Kosovo
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APPENDICES
1.
2.
3.
4.
POST EXPEDITION PARTICIPANT SURVEY RESULTS
ITINERARY
ACCOUNTING
PHOTO ALBUM
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