About the project

Species and habitats know no boundaries. Long-term insurance of their favourable condition can be achieved only by the cooperation of all stakeholders and the local community in particular. The Vezi narave/Veze prirode project presents the challenge of preserving and restoring biodiversity for future generations and raising awareness of the role that nature has for the benefit of people.

The project is carried out within the framework of the Interreg V-A Slovenia-Croatia 2014-2020 program, supported by the European Union, and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Duration: 1st September 2018 – 28th February 2021

Value: 2.553.908,00 €

Goals

Project objectives are the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, the protection and the restoration of biological diversity as well as the introduction of modern natural resources management methods.

Conservation of target species

To ensure the sustainability of conservation and restoration of target species on the protected Natura 2000 area.

Biological diversity

To establish sustainable long-term biological diversity conservation structures.

Cross-border cooperation

To establish Vezi narave network of points as well as the harmonized cross-border measures aimed at the improvement of the species condition.

Activities

The activities which goal is to respond to the lack of the cross-border cooperation in the field of the implementation of measures for the improvement of target species condition and the introduction of modern, sustainable natural resources management methods will be conducted. Said activities will also be focused on increasing the awareness of the importance of nature preservation and the prevention of natural risks on the Natura 2000 area.

Research and development of guidelines

Research conduct and the development of target species management guidelines.

Restoration and conservation of habitats

Implementation of specific measures for the restoration and the planning of target species habitats.

Education and information

To establish the Vezi narave network of points: opening of nature centres and the establishment of information points.

Partners

MUNICIPALITY OF GROSUPLJE (SLO)
leading partner

Taborska cesta 2

1290 Grosuplje

Slovenia

(+386) 01 7888 792 info@grosuplje.si www.grosuplje.si

The municipality is primarily known for its rich cultural and historical heritage as well as a well-developed crafts and industrial area. Since 2007, in cooperation with the MOP of the Republic of Slovenia, the municipality of Grosuplje has actively been involved in the protection of the Radensko Field area and the establishment of the Radensko Field Nature Park which was achieved in 2012. The Vezi narave project aims at the establishment of sustainable structures for the conservation of butterflies, amphibians and their habitats in the Radensko Field Park. During the project, the Šica Nature Center will be set up as one of the points of knowledge centers on ecosystem services both for local and global public.

HYLA ASSOCIATION

Lipovac I br. 7

10000 Zagreb

Croatia

(+385) 1 234 8279 info@hhdhyla.hr hwww.hhdhyla.hr

Hyla AssociationH provides professional competences and the capacity for the implementation of nature conservation measures on the Interreg Slovenia – Croatia Vezi narave Project. As part of their activities, the Association will contribute to the sustainability of conservation and the restoration of target species in selected protected border areas within the Natura 2000 ecological network. Nature-related field research and concrete demonstration activities will be implemented through five programs for the improvement of the conservation status of the otter, the beetle – the stag beetle and the great capricorn beetle, butterflies – the marsh fritillary and the large copper as well as of the amphibians. Charismatic species are a platform based on which the Association, in cooperation with other partners, will coordinate the communication of nature’s values and ecosystem services to the wider public.

PUBLIC INSTITUTION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PROTECTED AREAS IN KRAPINA-ZAGORJE COUNTY

Radoboj 8

49232 Radoboj

Croatia

(+385) 49 315 060 info@zagorje-priroda.hr www.zagorje-priroda.hr

An educational path emphasizing the interpretation of target species on the Sutla River will be established along the Zelenjak – Risvička and Cesarska gora significant landscape area. The established path will be part of the Vezi narave network points.

The monitoring of Natura 2000 fish and shellfish species will be conducted on the Sutla River as well as the research of the otter outspread. Concrete measures will be taken to restore the otter habitat: opening of the canals by creating oxbow lakes, establishment of crossings and improvement of the nutritional otter habitats. The amphibian passage will also be established on the Sutla river. The concrete field activities, lawn mowing and mulching of contaminated surfaces will be carried out to improve the degree of preservation of the marsh fritillary and the large copper daily butterflies.

MUNICIPALITY OF ROGAŠKA SLATINA

Izletniška ulica 2

3250 Rogaška Slatina

Slovenia

(+386) 03 8181 733 obcina@rogaska-slatina.si www.rogaska-slatina.si

By means of the Vezi narave project, the Municipality of Rogaška Slatina wants to improve the availability of knowledge on ecosystem services in order to make local population aware of the importance of nature conservation for the quality of life of the inhabitants, to get local population actively involved in nature conservation, to improve the habitat situation in the Sutla with tributaries protected area, and to establish the infrastructure that will act as a promotional and connecting space between the nature and inhabitants as well as direct tourists towards a selected, appropriately regulated site. As part of the Project, the Municipality will open the Sutla basins by creating oxbow lakes, developing its banks by planting vegetation, which will facilitate the improvement of otter habitats. The most important measure for achieving set goals is the construction of the Sutla Nature Protection Center in which the visitors, aided by interactive equipment, will learn about the wider area of the Sutla as well as the otters.

PUBLIC INSTITUTION NATIONAL PARK RISNJAK

Bijela vodica 48

51317 Crni Lug

Croatia

np-risjak@ri.t-com.hr np-risnjak.hr

The activities in the Risnjak National Park during the project duration shall include: the cleaning of the Kupa River wellspring and its tributaries from ice break effects, the wattle manufacturing around the Kupa wellspring, maintenance of lawns by mowing and mulching, preparation of an expert basis for lawn and the marsh fritillary butterfly – Euphydryas aurinia management, development of project publications, posters, promotional packages and public awareness raising activities by means of workshops.

TOWN OF VRBOVSKO

Ulica hrvatskih branitelja 1

51329 Vrbovsko

Croatia

(+385) 95 573 6209 info@vrbovsko.hr www.vrbovsko.hr

The project envisages the implementation of various measures in nature aimed at the restoration and promotion of the Kamačnik wellspring. The town of Vrbovsko is planning to conduct the landscaping activities of the Kamačnik Canyon wellspring, as well as the establishment of a multimedia path along the Canyon with the aim of enhancing the natural heritage of the significant landscape. The project also envisages the organization of numerous promotional and educational events intended for visitors of the Kamačnik significant landscape and for the local population as well.

INSTITUTE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA FOR NATURE CONSERVATION

Vodnikova ulica 3

3000 Celje

Slovenia

(+386) 03 4260 332 zrsvn.oe@zrsvn.si www.zrsvn.si

The Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation will perform the following activities: in agreement with landowners, on the appropriate sites along the Sutla River, 50 dead oak tree piles will be placed; 25 existing oak trees will be bought to ensure the long-term preservation of the great capricorn beetle habitat; 100 oak seedlings will be planted that will become the habitat of the great capricorn beetle; the list of the great capricorn beetle, the stag beetle and the hermit beetle will be made in cooperation with the employer; workshops for teachers, landowners and local population will be organized; in cooperation with the Municipality of Rogaška Slatina we will facilitate the improvement of the otter habitats condition by creating oxbow lakes, establishing habitats by means of sustainable measure implementation along the banks, regulating the coast and otter passage; with our partners we will participate in the development of the interpretative content of the Sutla Center for Nature Protection and in the implementation of measures on the Radensko polje.

MUNICIPALITY OF GROSUPLJE (SLO)
leading partner

Taborska cesta 2

1290 Grosuplje

Slovenia

(+386) 01 7888 792 info@grosuplje.si www.grosuplje.si

The municipality is primarily known for its rich cultural and historical heritage as well as a well-developed crafts and industrial area. Since 2007, in cooperation with the MOP of the Republic of Slovenia, the municipality of Grosuplje has actively been involved in the protection of the Radensko Field area and the establishment of the Radensko Field Nature Park which was achieved in 2012. The Vezi narave project aims at the establishment of sustainable structures for the conservation of butterflies, amphibians and their habitats in the Radensko Field Park. During the project, the Šica Nature Center will be set up as one of the points of knowledge centers on ecosystem services both for local and global public.

HYLA ASSOCIATION

Lipovac I br. 7

10000 Zagreb

Croatia

(+385) 1 234 8279 info@hhdhyla.hr hwww.hhdhyla.hr

Hyla AssociationH provides professional competences and the capacity for the implementation of nature conservation measures on the Interreg Slovenia – Croatia Vezi narave Project. As part of their activities, the Association will contribute to the sustainability of conservation and the restoration of target species in selected protected border areas within the Natura 2000 ecological network. Nature-related field research and concrete demonstration activities will be implemented through five programs for the improvement of the conservation status of the otter, the beetle – the stag beetle and the great capricorn beetle, butterflies – the marsh fritillary and the large copper as well as of the amphibians. Charismatic species are a platform based on which the Association, in cooperation with other partners, will coordinate the communication of nature’s values and ecosystem services to the wider public.

PUBLIC INSTITUTION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PROTECTED AREAS IN KRAPINA-ZAGORJE COUNTY

Radoboj 8

49232 Radoboj

Croatia

(+385) 49 315 060 info@zagorje-priroda.hr www.zagorje-priroda.hr

An educational path emphasizing the interpretation of target species on the Sutla River will be established along the Zelenjak – Risvička and Cesarska gora significant landscape area. The established path will be part of the Vezi narave network points.

The monitoring of Natura 2000 fish and shellfish species will be conducted on the Sutla River as well as the research of the otter outspread. Concrete measures will be taken to restore the otter habitat: opening of the canals by creating oxbow lakes, establishment of crossings and improvement of the nutritional otter habitats. The amphibian passage will also be established on the Sutla river. The concrete field activities, lawn mowing and mulching of contaminated surfaces will be carried out to improve the degree of preservation of the marsh fritillary and the large copper daily butterflies.

MUNICIPALITY OF ROGAŠKA SLATINA

Izletniška ulica 2

3250 Rogaška Slatina

Slovenia

(+386) 03 8181 733 obcina@rogaska-slatina.si www.rogaska-slatina.si

By means of the Vezi narave project, the Municipality of Rogaška Slatina wants to improve the availability of knowledge on ecosystem services in order to make local population aware of the importance of nature conservation for the quality of life of the inhabitants, to get local population actively involved in nature conservation, to improve the habitat situation in the Sutla with tributaries protected area, and to establish the infrastructure that will act as a promotional and connecting space between the nature and inhabitants as well as direct tourists towards a selected, appropriately regulated site. As part of the Project, the Municipality will open the Sutla basins by creating oxbow lakes, developing its banks by planting vegetation, which will facilitate the improvement of otter habitats. The most important measure for achieving set goals is the construction of the Sutla Nature Protection Center in which the visitors, aided by interactive equipment, will learn about the wider area of the Sutla as well as the otters.

PUBLIC INSTITUTION NATIONAL PARK RISNJAK

Bijela vodica 48

51317 Crni Lug

Croatia

np-risjak@ri.t-com.hr np-risnjak.hr

The activities in the Risnjak National Park during the project duration shall include: the cleaning of the Kupa River wellspring and its tributaries from ice break effects, the wattle manufacturing around the Kupa wellspring, maintenance of lawns by mowing and mulching, preparation of an expert basis for lawn and the marsh fritillary butterfly – Euphydryas aurinia management, development of project publications, posters, promotional packages and public awareness raising activities by means of workshops.

TOWN OF VRBOVSKO

Ulica hrvatskih branitelja 1

51329 Vrbovsko

Croatia

(+385) 95 573 6209 info@vrbovsko.hr www.vrbovsko.hr

The project envisages the implementation of various measures in nature aimed at the restoration and promotion of the Kamačnik wellspring. The town of Vrbovsko is planning to conduct the landscaping activities of the Kamačnik Canyon wellspring, as well as the establishment of a multimedia path along the Canyon with the aim of enhancing the natural heritage of the significant landscape. The project also envisages the organization of numerous promotional and educational events intended for visitors of the Kamačnik significant landscape and for the local population as well.

INSTITUTE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA FOR NATURE CONSERVATION

Vodnikova ulica 3

3000 Celje

Slovenia

(+386) 03 4260 332 zrsvn.oe@zrsvn.si www.zrsvn.si

The Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation will perform the following activities: in agreement with landowners, on the appropriate sites along the Sutla River, 50 dead oak tree piles will be placed; 25 existing oak trees will be bought to ensure the long-term preservation of the great capricorn beetle habitat; 100 oak seedlings will be planted that will become the habitat of the great capricorn beetle; the list of the great capricorn beetle, the stag beetle and the hermit beetle will be made in cooperation with the employer; workshops for teachers, landowners and local population will be organized; in cooperation with the Municipality of Rogaška Slatina we will facilitate the improvement of the otter habitats condition by creating oxbow lakes, establishing habitats by means of sustainable measure implementation along the banks, regulating the coast and otter passage; with our partners we will participate in the development of the interpretative content of the Sutla Center for Nature Protection and in the implementation of measures on the Radensko polje.