The Association for the Jizerské hory Mountains, commonly beneficial corporation (o.p.s.)

The Association for the Jizerské hory Mts. was founded in January and it was registered in March 1999 by an entry in the register of commonly beneficial corporations. The only founder is The Foundation for the Rescue and restoration of the Jizerské hory Mts, the long-term projects of which the Association adopted. As early as in the first year of its existence there has been an extension of activities in the following fields:

• Forestry activities

• Communal projects

• Enlightening and educational activities

The long-term goal and the mission of the Association for the Jizerské hory Mts. is an all-round assistance in recovering the harmonious countryside of the Jizerské hory Mts. and recovering a harmonious relationship between the people and this landscape.

Forestry activities

While carrying out activities in forests we try to introduce harmony between the need for protection of nature and the interests of visitors. For instance, in June 2000 we arranged for the building of a viewing tower in the Na Čihadle peat bog. Visitors to this badly endangered and very sensitive area can view the whole area without entering the peat bog. 
The Jedlový důl nature trail introduces a contrasting region to the visitors. The trail leads through an extremely well preserved mixed forest in the valley of the river Jedlová and emerges on a plateau of the Jizerské hory Mountains, which is badly damaged by pollution.

Communal projects

The aims of the communal projects are linked to the protection of nature on a looser basis. The point is to make the people living in the mountains and the foothills realise that so-called conservationists are not enemies of economic development but that we all share a common concern - to live in a harmonious environment. Thus we all have to look for the ways and possibilities of unifying often-contradictory interests. 
Such a goal is being pursued for instance by a long-term project "Smědá - naše řeka" (The Smědá - our river) in the region of the Frýdlant extremity: it includes a series of concerts, marking of a cycling route and various other events, the aim of which is a model implementation of Local Agenda 21 in the area of the Jizerské hory Mts. and their foothills (more information at www.osf.cz/pohoda).
The keystone to successfully finding shared solutions is communication; that is why the main projects of the Society are aimed at the support for establishing and functioning of informal relations between the civil services, local autonomies, entrepreneurs, non-governmental, non-profit organisations and the public. In the year 2000 we, together with The Quebec/Labrador Foundation and Environmental Partnership organised an international education cycle with its topic being development of communities and raising social capital in communities.

Educational activities

We organise regular cleaning trips into the Jizerské hory Mts; hundreds of adults and children from schools, tourist and scout clubs as well as families take part in the spring and autumn events.
For diverse groups we prepare lectures and seminars about the Jizerské hory Mts as well as educational events in other fields: sustainable development of communities, Local Agenda 21, partnership in communities and community - visioning.
In co-operation with specialists from The Administration of the Protected Landscape Area of the Jizerské hory Mountains (Správa CHKO Jizerské hory) we prepare and publish information materials for walks and trips into the Jizerské hory Mts for the ecological educational needs in schools.
As a base for our ecological education programmes in the future we will be using the oldest building in Jizerka, the highest situated village of the Jizerské hory Mts - house No. 2 in this village. However, for the time being it is not usable due to its poor technical condition. We are currently collecting finances for its reconstruction.
For all our activities we, as a non-profit organisation, must always gather sufficient finances first.

Apart from the income from our own enterprise and from grants of foundations, another source of help can also be sponsor contributions or donations from corporations as well as individuals. Should you decide to fuel one of our programmes, we would be extremely pleased. 
If you let us know about your donation, we will inform you about which concrete activities your support has helped us to implement.

Bank Account: 5802723/0300, ČSOB Liberec

We will be happy to provide detailed information about our activities by post or via telephone - please, feel free to contact us using any of the following ways:

Address: U Jezu 10, 460 01 Liberec, Czech Republic, Europe
Phone: 00420 - 48 - 6131091, 00420 - 48 - 5109292, 00420 - 48 - 6131567
e-mail: jizerky@iol.cz