CarEx Project at the Kozjansko Apple Festival
15 October 2024
As part of the CarEx project (Interreg Programme Slovenia–Croatia), which focuses on researching the biodiversity of dry grasslands in Kozjanski Park and Žumberak–Samoborsko Gorje Nature Park, we participated in the Kozjansko Apple Festival held on 12 October 2024, organized by Kozjanski Park.
At the fair, together with our partners Kozjanski Park, Žumberak–Samoborsko Gorje Nature Park, the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts – Institute of Ornithology, and the National Institute of Biology, we presented the project and informed visitors about the biodiversity of dry grasslands. Special attention was given to children through workshops on biodiversity and metabarcoding.
The festival provided an opportunity to connect with the local community of Kozjanski Park and highlight the importance of joint efforts in conserving natural values and agricultural cultural landscapes, with a special emphasis on traditional orchard meadows with old apple varieties. The orchards of Kozjanski Park, which are part of the Natura 2000 ecological network, are home to endangered bird species such as the green woodpecker, black redstart, little owl, and red-backed shrike.
Thank you to everyone who visited us! 💚