October 16, 2025 – A workshop titled “Assessment of conservation status, implementation of measures and establishment of monitoring to improve the management of target species and habitat types in the Medvednica Nature Park” was held at Medvedgrad within the Park.
The workshop served as preparation for the upcoming project “Improving the Management of Protected Areas and Natura 2000 Sites in the Medvednica Nature Park Threatened by Climate Change”, as well as a presentation of the results of the project “Improving the Management of Special Forest Vegetation Reserves Threatened by Climate Change”. The latter included three key documents: the expert basis, the study documentation, and the project-technical documentation.
The introductory presentation was given by Professor Emeritus Joso Vukelić, who presented the regulatory framework, forest stand structure, flora (strictly protected and endangered forest species), and forest habitat types.
The Oikon expert team then presented the results of specific thematic areas:
Agronomist Lovro Turkalj – Entomofauna with emphasis on target saproxylic species
Ecologist Marta Renje – Bats
Ecologist and nature protection specialist Nela Jantol, PhD – Open habitat types and Adriatic lizard orchid
Agronomist Lovro Turkalj – Aquatic habitats with emphasis on target species and communication plan.
At the end of the workshop, Joso Vukelić presented the establishment of an automated e-monitoring system “Smart Forests”, as well as the overall time frame and financial plan of the project.
The workshop brought together experts from Oikon, Medvednica Nature Park, Croatian Forests, and the Public Institution for the Management of Natural Values of the City of Zagreb to connect knowledge and resources for better management and protection of Medvednica’s ecosystems, with a focus on enhancing nature’s resilience to climate change.
