At its meeting on 6 November 2008 the ECNC Board approved the applications of three new Network partners. This brings the total number of Network partners to 49 in 25 European countries, and increases the coverage of the Network to Denmark and Turkey. (See http://www.ecnc.org/EcncNetwork/Index_27.html for a complete list.). ECNC Network partners receive priority treatment in project development, partnership building and information exchange from the ECNC Secretariat.

The new partners are:
• National Environmental Research Institute (NERI), University of Aarhus, Denmark (www.neri.dk) 
• Moscow City Pedagogical University, Department of Biology, Russian Federation
• Turkish Environmental and Woodlands Protection Society (TÜRÇEK), Turkey (www.turcek.org.tr).

The National Environmental Research Institute (NERI) is part of the University of Aarhus. NERI undertakes scientific consultancy work, monitoring of nature and the environment as well as applied and strategic research. NERI’s task is to establish a scientific foundation for environmental policy decisions.
For more information on NERI, visit www.neri.dk.
Contact person: Dr Bo Normander

Moscow City Pedagogical University provides teacher training and conducts scientific research in various aspects of science. In addition to conducting its own research the University participates in collaborative projects in the Russian Federation and abroad. The main areas of focus of the Department of Biology are environmental education and sustainable development, biodiversity and current methods of nature protection.
Contact person: Dr Denis Bogomolov

The Turkish Environmental and Woodlands Protection Society (TÜRÇEK) is a non-profit NGO, established in 1972, which works to preserve nature and the environment in Turkey. TÜRÇEK is working towards the establishment of the National Confederation of Nature Conservation, strengthening non-governmental organizations in Turkey working in the field of the environment and nature conservation, and supports the foundation of new local initiatives. It manages environmental education and visitors centres, and collaborates with various organizations.
For more information on TÜRÇEK, visit www.turcek.org.tr.
Contact person: Ms Ceren Üzel Gürbüz