Project: 101113557 — LIFE22-NAT-AT-LIFE RESTORE for MDD — LIFE-2022-SAP-NAT
This afternoon, with the awarding of certificates for successfully completing the Young Rangers Camp program, Virovitica-Podravina County gained 32 young rangers—future nature wardens—within the framework of the Public Institution’s activities as part of the project Preserving and restoring floodplain forest habitats along the Mura-Drava-Danube rivers, LIFE22-NAT-AT-LIFE RESTORE for MDD (acronym: LIFE RESTORE for MDD).
The certificates were awarded by State Secretary of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, Željko Vuković; Chief Nature Ranger of the Public Institution Nature VPŽ, Vladimir Ajhler; Director of the Institution, Tatjana Arnold Sabo; Nature Ranger I, Karlo Fičko; Head of the Bio-Research Station, Vladimir Juhaz; Senior Associate and Interpreter for Protected Areas, Dora Šušak Kereta; and Nature Ranger II, Dejan Tramošljanin.
The program successfully completed by the young rangers included, on the first day: distribution of equipment and the raising of the camp flag, familiarization with the exhibits and features of the Visitor Center The Drava Story, a presentation on the protected areas of VPŽ, the Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube, and the role of nature rangers. The day also included a cycling tour along the Drava River to learn about the area’s biodiversity, a safety-in-nature workshop in collaboration with the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) on how to behave safely in nature, the use of search dogs to locate missing persons, and how to provide first aid. Additional activities included an art workshop with the Creative Association "Unikat," an evening presentation on nocturnal animals, and the installation of camera traps in the park of the Visitor Center.
On the second day, the camp participants visited the Drava River area in Terezino Polje, where they learned about the river’s biodiversity, the importance of its conservation, and the objectives and activities of the LIFE RESTORE for MDD project. They also visited the Križnica Visitor Center. The field portion concluded with a social gathering at a ranch in Kozice, where they learned about the care and breeding of donkeys and horses and participated in a short riding school. The day ended at the Dravska Priča Visitor Center with a children’s workshop featuring face painting and a fairy party in collaboration with Ana’s Playroom.
The third day began with a presentation titled Birdsong of the Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube and continued with a walk along the Drava Life educational trail, birdwatching, and sample collection. These samples were later examined by the young rangers under magnifying glasses and microscopes at the Visitor Center’s bio-research station. At the same time, the rangers presented what the installed camera traps had captured so far. The program concluded with a quiz and fun games in the park of the Dravska Priča Visitor Center, followed by socializing with Croatia’s nature rangers in celebration of World Ranger Day.
The project is co-financed by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.