LIFE TRŠCA: Nature Conservation Supervision Report 2024

Notranjska Park was established in 2002 with the aim of preserving, safeguarding, and researching the natural and cultural values of this area.

One of the activities that can contribute to protecting and preserving this very special piece of the world is nature conservation oversight. Notranjska Park began nature conservation oversight as part of the LIFE Stržen project, and now this activity is also continued within the LIFE Tršca project. The project area covers a large part of Lake Cerknica, therefore the nature conservation oversight activities are directed primarily at this area.

During the project period, for the purposes of conducting indirect and direct oversight, we carried out:

• purchase of an electric vehicle,
• visit to Kamenjak National Park (HR) to became familiar with their nature conservation service,
• purchase of technical equipment (binoculars, GSM, hunting cameras, uniform, unmanned aerial vehicle) for easier detection and recording of violations and bad practices,
• installation of five monitoring or hunting cameras (we additionally equipped two cameras with solar power),
• a written report to the Municipal Inspectorate about illegal waste dumping along the road near Karlovec Castle,
• a meeting with the management of Cerknica Police Station on the topic of possibilities for further cooperation,
• introduction of occasional night surveillance,
• preparation and publication of instructions on the website for reporting planned commercial events in nature (e.g., filming commercials, films, music videos),
• participation in two additional trainings for nature conservation supervisors, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning,
• preparation of a report on illegal disposal of material (construction waste, green waste, bulky waste, etc.) in the Vodonos area.

Illegal waste disposal in the cave above the Tresenec spring.

During this period, five employees at Notranjska Park obtained the status of voluntary nature conservation supervisors, three of whom are within the LIFE Tršca project. The theoretical part of the training took place at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning and the practical part at the Vinka Beznika Training Centre in Gotenica, which is managed by the Ministry of the Interior or the Police Academy. Some will continue their training at the Ministry of Public Administration and, after successfully passing the knowledge test for leading and deciding in a misdemeanour procedure, will become nature conservation supervisors. Thus they will be able to directly assist in implementing nature conservation oversight at Lake Cerknica and across the entire Notranjska Park area.

Driving in nature and illegal camping in Rakov Škocjan.

The primary task of nature conservation supervisors is to prevent actions that negatively affect nature. There is also a strong emphasis on raising awareness among visitors. And you can be the ones – visitors, farmers, fishermen, hunters, foresters, hikers, cyclists, mushroom pickers, beekeepers and all other stakeholders who are connected to nature in any way – those who can help in maintaining the favorable state of nature. 

To do this, you can discourage people from harmful behavior or, when you observe harmful actions, report data such as photographs and location to the competent authorities. You can also write to info@notranjski-park.si.