The volunteer program called “Guardians of native species habitats”, launched last year, took place from September 2 to 11, 2024. This year, it brought together enthusiasts, volunteers, and experts, with the aim of combating pajasen or tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), an invasive non-native plant species, and raising awareness about the importance of preserving the natural heritage.

The program generated great interest among volunteers. Fourteen volunteers and twenty employees of the Krka National Park participated in it. The invitation to participate was published on the official website of the Krka National Park, and on platforms dedicated to volunteering within the Parks of Croatia.

During their stay in the Krka National Park, the volunteers actively participated in the fight against ailanthus, a plant that seriously threatens the local ecosystems. Their activities included educational workshops, a demonstration of methods of removing ailanthus in the field, and the practical removal of shoots at different locations in the Park, under the leadership of program manager Katarina Bilušić.

Volunteers worked in the area of the ​​Skradinski buk waterfall, the Skradin road, Skradin, Remetić, the Roški slap waterfall, and Oćestovo, where they removed thousands of ailanthus shoots, making a significant contribution to the “Life Contra Ailanthus” project, and thus to the preservation of the natural heritage of the Krka National Park.

Thanks to their engagement and recently acquired knowledge about invasive species, the project significantly helped to achieve the final goal: preventing the further spread of ailanthus and increasing the awareness of the harmful impact of invasive plants.

The volunteers had the opportunity to visit eleswhere in the Krka National Park in order to further educate themselves about invasive species and the way the Park functions. They also visited the Dubravice Voluntary Fire-Fighting Company, learning about fire protection measures and how the fire services work.

The program was implemented with the full support of the Krka National Park, which provided the volunteers with accommodation and food in the volunteer center at the Krka Eco Campus in Puljane along with local transportation. The coordinators of volunteer activities, Doris Banić and Ivana Marin, made sure that all activities were in accordance with the Law on Volunteering. Volunteers went through a selection and training process, and were insured in case of an accident.

Looking forward to future initiatives aimed at preserving nature and protecting native species in its area, the Krka National Park would like to express its gratitude to the volunteers who participated in the program “Guardians of native species habitats”.

 

LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus

JOŠ NOVOSTI IZ KATEGORIJE

  18/06/2024
The Habitat Protector volunteer programme is open for applications

Apply to volunteer at Krka National Park from 2 to 11 September 2024, and become a Krka Habitat Protector

  22/02/2024
In February, the Krka Eco Campus was the centre of education on practices to combat the invasive Tree of Heaven

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.

  04/10/2023
This year's first volunteers at Krka National Park – indigenous species and habitat protectors

The first volunteer programme in 2023 at Krka National Park, called Indigenous Species and Habitat Protectors, was held from 1 to 10 September. The programme brought together volunteers and experts, and the aim was to combat the spread of Tree of Heaven, an invasive alien species, and to raise awareness of the need to preserve the natural heritage.

  04/05/2023
Volunteer programme “Indigenous species habitat protector”

The first volunteer programme to be held in 2023 at Krka National Park is the Krka’s Habitat Protector, as part of the project LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus, in which Krka National Park is a partner. The project is financed through the LIFE programme.

109

km2

07

waterfalls

388

km bike route

47

km of hiking trails

10

entrances