More than a hundred participants from protected areas in Croatia and Europe gathered at the Krka Eco Campus in Puljane

The Public Institute of Krka National Park is the proud host of the XXIII Annual Seminar of Nature Rangers

Organized by the Institute for Environmental and Nature Protection of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and the Krka National Park, on the 20^th and 21^st of April 2023, more than a hundred participants gathered at the Krka Eco Campus in Puljane, a modern interpretational-educational and volunteer center, where they were warmly welcomed by the director of the Krka National Park, Nella Slavica: “Nature rangers represent our first contact with all events in the field and the people who visit protected areas, but they are also the best spokespersons for communication with the local population. The role of nature rangers in monitoring and cooperation with the scientific community is of exceptional importance for the preservation of the ecosystem”, stated the director, and added “You truly have the most beautiful offices in the world – I believe that’s why you guard it with such care. I hope that this meeting and the exchange of experiences will give rise to new ideas for the preservation of protected areas.”

 Every year, nature rangers gather at a seminar where they attend professional lectures and workshops and exchange knowledge and experiences within the field. Aljoša Duplić, director of the Institute for Environmental and Nature Protection, addressed the gathering on behalf of the organizers: “It is a great honor that this meeting of nature conservationists is being held in the heart of one of our richest national parks, in the Krka National Park, where nature rangers will have the opportunity to exchange experiences in the removal and control of invasive species, such as tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), because pioneering work in the preservation of travertine and control of this species is being carried out specifically by the Krka National Park. In Croatia, more than 38% of the total territory is under some form of protection, and the strength of the nature protection sector can be perceived in the implementation of control and monitoring activities, as well as education and the sensitization of all people active in this area.”

During the two-day working meeting, topics related to the work of these services, important in the protection of nature, will be discussed, such as examples of good practice in the behavior of nature rangers and cooperation with inspections, while the approaches of nature rangers to Article 144 of the Nature Protection Act will also be analyzed. Josip Klarić, Chief Nature Ranger in the Krka National Park, spoke about the challenges of direct monitoring over the time and space of the Krka National Park. The meeting also has an international character: João Manuel Santos Correia is taking part in it, as a representative of the Portuguese and European associations of rangers.

Friday is set aside for a field trip to the Krka National Park. Nature rangers will visit the Roški slap waterfall and tour the test meadow area with Ailanthus established as part of the “LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus” project, financed through the LIFE Program, in which the Krka National Park is a partner. Then they will go on a boat trip to the island of Visovac.

Nature rangers participate in the preservation and undisturbed development of complex processes in the protected area. In addition to the protection of natural values, they alo protect various ecosystems and the rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage, while they also keep a close eye on the safety of visitors and employees.