Community Action for Wetland Protection in Hatay: Celebrating the Gölbaşı Lake

In Kırıkhan, Hatay district, Gölbaşı Lake is a rare freshwater wetland — a place where rich biodiversity meets centuries-old cultural traditions. Once remembered as a site of childhood joy and coexistence with nature, the lake now faces growing threats from pollution, illegal fishing activities and habitat degradation. 

Our local grantee, Hatay Nature Conservation Association is leading the project Inclusive Approach for the Sustainability of Gölbaşı Lake. The initiative aims to restore the lake’s ecological health, raise public awareness, and advocate for long-term conservation — a mission made even more urgent in the aftermath of the devastating February 2023 earthquakes. 

To mark a milestone in this effort, we joined the Gölbaşı Lake Festival — a vibrant, community-driven celebration reconnecting residents with their wetland. The festival brought together students, families, conservationists, and local officials for a day of shoreline clean-ups, birdwatching tours, educational nature walks, and creative contests in painting and photography. 

What unfolded was more than a festival — it became a collective expression of care and responsibility. Community members shared memories, hopes, and concerns for the lake’s future. Locals civil society organisations emphasized the need for stronger environmental regulation, collaborative planning, and the importance of citizen monitoring. The discussions reflected a shared recognition of Gölbaşı Lake not only as an ecological site but also as a cultural and recreational space central to Kırıkhan’s community identity and well-being. 

Throughout our visit, we witnessed the transformative power of grassroots leadership, public participation, and local knowledge in shaping a more resilient future — even in regions still recovering from the effects of the recent earthquakes.

We are proud to support the ongoing efforts of  Hatay Nature Conservation Association and all those working to ensure Gölbaşı Lake remains a living landscape of biodiversity, beauty, and memory. 

This project is supported through the Environmental Support for Earthquake-Affected Regions Grant Programme — a joint initiative by the Turquoise Coast Environment Fund (TCEF) of Conservation Collective, Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF), Turkey Mozaik Foundation (TMF), and the Support Foundation for Civil Society (STDV). This collaborative fund aims to restore and protect nature, with a special focus on regions impacted by the February 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye.