The Public Institute of Krka National Park hosted the pupils of six primary schools from Šibenik-Knin County who learned about the natural values of Krka National Park, and attended an educational workshop on the topic of combatting the spread of the invasive species Tree of Heaven.
As part of the project of the Regional Scientific Centre RaSTEM, and organised by the City of Šibenik, pupils of the primary schools in Vrpolje, Brodarica, Juraj Šižgorić, Juraj Dalmatinac and Meterize and the district schools Skradin and Murterski škoji paid a visit to the Krka Eco Campus in Puljane. There they took part in a field class to learn more about the biodiversity of Krka National Park and the exceptional wealth of plant and animal species in the park.
The pupils learned about climate change, focusing on the example of the invasive plant species, Tree of Heaven. They enjoyed a guided tour of the natural history collection at the Temple of Nature museum and the Nature Laboratory, and were familiarised with the impacts that the Tree of Heaven has on the native plant species, and learned methods on how its spread is prevented in Krka National Park. The goals of the project “LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus” were presented, and the project activities in the park outlined, with demonstrations of various methods of removing Tree of Heaven.
On 20 February, a work meeting of monitor project and project partners within the project “LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus” was held at the Krka Eco Campus, co-organised by the Public Institute of Krka National Park and the Department for Environmental and Nature Protection of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. The aim of the meeting was to review the activities implemented to date and discuss future activities, with an emphasis on monitoring the target habitat types, and removal of new shoots of Tree of Heaven in the project area. Participants in the meeting also received a guided tour of the natural history collection at the Temple of Nature museum, Nature Laboratory, and the Burnum Archaeological Collection.
The expected main results of the project “LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus” is the development of a national protocol, improvement of the conservation status of Natura 2000 habitat types, preserving the cultural heritage, and preventing the further spread of this invasive species. Due to its negative impacts on biodiversity, the economy, and human health, the Tree of Heaven is included on the list of invasive alien species of concern in the European Union.
LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus
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