The Public Institute of Krka National Park participates in the LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus project, funded through the LIFE Programme, as a project partner.
The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and the European Commission have signed an agreement for the LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus project, aimed at establishing effective measures for the control of the invasive tree species Ailanthus altissima. The total value of the project is HRK 19,4 million and it is co-funded by the European Union at a rate of 60%.
The project is funded through the LIFE Programme, the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental, nature conservation, and climate action. It is implemented by the Institute for Environmental and Nature protection of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development in cooperation with project partners: Public Institute of Krka National Park, Public Institute for the Management of Protected Natural Areas of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and Vrtlar d.o.o. The anticipated time frame for the project activities is four and a half years.
Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) is a species native to East Asia that has spread across the world starting from the 18th century due to its use as an ornamental plant, while today it is considered one of the most invasive plant species in Europe. This invasive species displaces native vegetation and reduces biodiversity, it is detrimental to crops, it causes allergic reactions in people, and destroys cultural monuments and other buildings due to its extremely strong root system. Due to its negative effect on biodiversity, the economy and human health, it is included in the list of invasive alien species of concern in the European Union. Widespread in Croatia, tree of heaven poses a major threat to protected habitats and species in the Mediterranean region.
The project aims to introduce measures for the control of the invasive tree of heaven species in the Mediterranean region in Croatia: in two Croatian ecological network areas (HR2000918 Wider area of the Krka National Park, and HR2001364 SEE part of the Pelješac Peninsula) and in cities with a historic urban core (Ston, Mali Ston, and Dubrovnik).
Improvement of the conservation status of Natura 2000 habitat types, preservation of cultural heritage, prevention of the further spread of the invasive alien species, and development of a national protocol are the main expected outcomes of the LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus project. In addition, the project also aims to enhance alien species management capacity and raise public awareness of the negative impact of invasive species at the national level.
A volunteer program at Krka NP: the successful removal of invasive species through education and actions
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 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
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.
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.
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.
A new workshop held in the project to control the spread of the Tree of Heaven
Rangers from protected areas in Croatia made a field visit to Krka National Park, to exchange experiences in the removal and control of the invasive species Tree of Heaven
Stakeholder's workshop at the Laškovica Visitor Centre
A stakeholder’s workshop, organised by the Public Institute of Krka National Park and the Department of Environmental and Nature Protection, Ministry of the Economy and Sustainable Development was held at the Laškovica Visitor Centre. The focus of the workshop was to present invasive species as part of the project “LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus”
The removal of ailanthus (tree of heaven) has begun in the Krka NP
As a part of the project “LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus – Establishment of control over the invasive foreign species Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven) in Croatia” in the project region HR2000918, i.e. the broader area of the Krka National Park,…