PRODUCTS and SERVICES WITH A CAUSE

An old salt workers cabin was renovated in 2017 to become a space for Atanasovsko Lake, which gathers everything most interesting about the coastal lagoon, salt mining and its inhabitants. It houses the interactive exhibition "symBiotic", which can be seen, touched, heard and tasted, the exhibition "Salt" by Mariana Sarbova, dedicated to the three lakes of Burgas and the Black Sea, a corner with the history of salt mining in the lake, a marine library; educational games for children and a corner with souvenirs. A digital archive has also been organized with documents and articles from the saltworks, as well as old maps of the Black Sea. It works only during the summer season - from June to the end of August. Venue for numerous summer events, festivals, fairs, concerts and exhibitions.

Unfortunately, in November 2023, a major flood from the sea caused serious damage to the shack that housed Symbiotic and the event courtyard. This led us to close the space and look for a new location for both the exhibition and the center for Atanasovsko Lake.

For firms and companies, the BBF has developed two workshops with a cause such as proposals for Team Building activities, a thematic event or on a specific occasion/holiday. The creative workshops are a different and valuable experience, through which the environmental protection activities of the organization are directly supported. Leading storytellers in these experiences are the people from the Biodiversity Foundation, who are involved in the conservation of the salty Atanasovsko lake and present their little-known and exciting world. Within 60-90 minutes, the participants make a specific product and at the end of the event, everyone holds in their hands their handmade product with a cause.
By participating in the workshops, each participant supports the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation in the protection of one of the rarest habitats - the coastal lagoon of Atanasovsko Lake - the richest place for birds in the country, and the salt pans - as an intangible cultural heritage.

Salty workshop

During the workshop, each participant learns about the types of salt collected in Atanasovsko Lake and creates his own combination of flavors by mixing 100 grams of the best sea salt with fresh green spices (rosemary, sage, mint, thyme, etc. ), according to his preferences - for salads, fish, meat and lean dishes.
Seasoned salt is sealed for storage in a glass jar. The activity ends with a stylish packaging and decoration of the jar in a cardboard box, and each participant leaves enriched with new knowledge about Atanasovsko Lake, its biodiversity and salt, and with an interesting product that they can use at home or give as a gift to a loved one.

Workshop for candies with salt (only in Sofia)

In the Salted Chocolates workshop, participants will learn to make delicious chocolates using only healthy products – natural cocoa mass, cocoa butter and agave juice, so they can enjoy real chocolate without worry.
Each participant goes through the entire process of turning cocoa mass into tempting, chocolate candies and learns about the history of salt and its precious crystals.
At the end, everyone leaves with their own candies - absolutely unique in form and content and enriched with new knowledge about Atanasovsko Lake, its biodiversity and salt. For more information about the workshops and pre-registration, write to us at saltoflife@biodiversity.bg.

The Avocet trail is located in the southern part of Atanasovsko Lake, Burgas and includes entertaining information boards about the raindrops, an outdoor classroom, a bird observatory and a shelter, which can be used freely outside of the activities organized by the BBF.

For individual visitors and small groups

BBF offers a one-hour walk along the trail with interpretation for a group of no less than 5 people, and the program includes a lecture about Atanasovsko Lake, in which we will reveal some of its secrets and inhabitants, and bird watching with binoculars and binoculars.
It is necessary to declare your desire to visit saltoflife@biodiversity.bg at least 3 days in advance. The price for a visit per person is BGN 10.

For educational institutions

The educational program includes a lecture on Atanasovsko Lake, an interpretive walk along the circular trail route, and bird watching with binoculars and a spotting scope.
It is necessary for the groups to be no less than 10 people and to declare your desire to visit saltoflife@biodiversity.bg at least 3 days in advance. The price for the visit is BGN 5 per student.

BBF offers an educational program for students on the Avocet Trail, where children have the opportunity to observe the amazing bird wealth of Atanasovsko Lake with binoculars, learn through games or organize an outdoor picnic.
Depending on the interest, different modules of the educational program can be chosen.

• Getting to know Atanasovsko lake and its bird inhabitants. Why is Atanasovsko Lake one of the most important wetlands in Europe? Who is Athanas the Avocet and why are his Waders family so special? Which other families of birds inhabit Atanasovsko Lake and how do they get along with each other? What is the Via Pontica? And other topics covered by the "learning by experience" method. Working with binoculars and a spotting scope, observing birds in the field. Educational games and discussions to reinforce the knowledge of the participants.
• Adaptation in birds. Why do birds have different beaks? Can they all swim and who has the longest legs? To what human tools and implements can their beaks be compared, and why? And other topics covered by the "learning by experience" method. Observing birds and discovering the learned characteristics. Educational games and discussions to reinforce the knowledge of the participants.
• The migration of birds. Why do birds migrate? How do they find the right direction? Why is Atanasovsko Lake one of the most important places in Europe for migratory birds? And other topics covered by the "learning by experience" method. Working with binoculars, spotting scope and scope. Birdwatching and familiarization with techniques for counting migrating flocks. Educational games and discussions to reinforce the knowledge of the participants.
• Amphibians and reptiles. What are reptiles? Why "amphibious"? Which of their representatives meet at Atanasovsko Lake? How 'scary' are snakes and who is the frog that smells like garlic? These and other topics covered in the "learning by experience" method. Theoretical introduction to the main types of amphibians and reptiles that are found at Atanasovsko Lake and their characteristics. Educational games and discussions to reinforce the knowledge of the participants.
• The mammals of Atanasovsko Lake. Are there roe deer, jackals, foxes and badgers at Atanasovsko Lake? Who is hiding where? What is the role of predators in the lake and why are bats useful? Is the smallest walking mammal on the planet also found here? These and other topics covered in the "learning by experience" method. Getting to know the main types of mammals that are found on Atanasovsko Lake and their characteristics. Educational games and discussions to consolidate knowledge.
• Who lives in the waters of Atanasovsko Lake? And in the channel? What challenges do aquatic organisms face and how are they adapted to the different conditions they inhabit? Who breathes underwater? What is their role in ecosystems? These and other topics covered in the "learning by experience" method. Examination with a digital microscope of pre-collected biological material from two types of habitats - fresh and salt water. Lecture-discussion and educational games.

Visits are carried out after a prior request to saltoflife@biodiversity.bg, at least 5 days in advance and are held with a minimum of 10 children upon prior discussion of the program, according to the age group of the students. Each of the modules lasts an hour and a half, and the price per student is BGN 10.