International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22) reminds us every year just how precious and irreplaceable nature is. Biological diversity means the variety of life—from plants, animals, and fungi to wetlands, forests, grasslands, and underground habitats. One of the most remarkable examples of this natural diversity in Slovenia is Notranjska Park, where water, the karst landscape, and forests create a habitat for numerous rare and endangered species.
The heart of the park is the intermittent Lake Cerknica, and its most distinctive feature is its constant change. In spring and fall, it expands into a vast lake, while in summer or during dry periods, it recedes, revealing meadows and wetlands. It is precisely this exceptional dynamic that enables the development of diverse habitats, which are crucial for the conservation of biodiversity.
The mystical land of Lake Cerknica is home to numerous distinctive and rare plant species. Among them, the common reed (Phragmites australis) stands out, providing important habitats and stabilizing the lake’s shores. In the wet meadows, we find the marsh orchid (Orchis palustris), the Siberian iris (Iris sibirica), various sedges (Carex spp.), and bulrushes (Schoenus spp.), which are characteristic representatives of sensitive wetland ecosystems.
The animal life is also exceptionally rich. More than 300 bird species have been observed in the Lake Cerknica area. Among the most important species associated with the LIFE Tršca project are the Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) and the red-necked grebe (Podiceps grisegena). In addition to these two species, the park is also home to the eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata), the corncrake (Crex crex), herons (Ardea spp.), the bittern (Botaurus stellaris), the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), the otter (Lutra lutra), numerous amphibians (Amphibia), and various species of dragonflies (Odonata) and butterflies (Lepidoptera).
In the broader forests of the Javorniki and Menišija ranges, we also find large carnivores such as the brown bear (Ursus arctos), the wolf (Canis lupus), and the lynx (Lynx lynx), which indicates a high degree of conservation of the natural environment. In underground caves, such as Križna Cave, exceptionally adapted species thrive, dependent on complete darkness and the stable conditions of the karst underground.
In Notranjska Park, we are preserving various habitats with the help of the LIFE program. The LIFE Tršca project aims to improve the conservation status of the intermittent Lake Cerknica, the LIFE FOR SEEDS project is restoring grassland habitats on both wet and dry soils and establishing a seed bank for wild plants, while the LIFE OrnamentalIAS project focuses on limiting the introduction of invasive alien plants into the natural environment and their removal.
This year’s International Day for Biological Diversity (2026) carries the message “Acting locally for global impact.” It emphasizes that nature conservation begins in our immediate surroundings—in schools, communities, and natural areas such as Notranjska Park—but can have effects that reach across the globe. Every action counts: from protecting wetlands and reed beds to raising awareness about rare species. Together, these local actions create global change and contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, on which life on Earth depends.
The implementation of extensive nature conservation projects exceeds the financial capacity of the local community, therefore Notranjska Park regularly applies for projects with the possibility of co-financing by the European Union.
The implementation of large-scale conservation projects exceeds the financial capabilities of the local community, therefore Notranjska Park regularly applies for projects with the possibility of co-financing from the European Union.
