In July and August, the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning (MESP) is hosting its next exhibition in the series of exhibitions about LIFE projects in Slovenia. Photos and wooden models, presenting Natura 2000 species targeted by LIFE Kočevsko project, were succeeded by panels, prepared during the two LIFE projects, AQUALUTRA and AQUAVIVA. MESP’s lobby on Dunajska 48 is now hosting freshwater biodiversity, from algea to the otter.
LIFE-Nature project AQUALUTRA : Conservation of otter population in Goričko – Phase 1 (LIFE04NAT/SI/000234) was designed by Lutra, Institute for the Conservation of Natural Heritage, and applied by Gornji Petrovci Municipality. Besides Lutra Institute, the project partners were: a private company for applied ecology Limnos, Department of Animal Science of Biotechnical Faculty (University in Ljubljana), municipalities of Dobrovnik, Kobilje, Puconci, Kuzma, Rogašovci, Moravske Toplice, Cankova and Grand Ltd video production company. Project co-financers were Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Railway Transport and MESP. During a period of four and a half years 43 actions were carried out. The review of the otter distribution in Goričko and the quality of its habitats was among the most important ones.-. “Black spots” for otters on traffic roads were registered and to a large extent eliminated or at least pointed out. Ecoremediation helped improve some watercourse sections, which had been directly or indirectly affected by the construction of the railway line. At the same time awareness-raising activities were also carried out. Final project activity was the construction of the Otter center in Križevci in Goričko. The project ended in April 2009.
A year later, Lutra Institute applied with a new, this time a LIFE+ communication – information project called AQUAVIVA : Living water – from biodiversity to the tap. Its implementation began in September 2011. The partners were HOPA advertising studio and Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia, while the co-financers were MESP and HSE group. The aim of the project was to highlight the problem of freshwater biodiversity loss and to raise awareness of the importance of its preservation. In three years, they conducted numerous awareness-raising activities, from educational workshops, online advertising to the exhibition in the Tivoli Park in Ljubljana. The project was more than successful, as it was one of the finalists of “Best of the Best” LIFE projects selected by the European Commission.
Both projects were co-financed by the European Comission’s LIFE programme and MESP.
