Totora reeds grow in South America, particularly around Lake Titicaca, which lies on the border between Peru and Bolivia at an altitude of 3,810 meters above sea level. These reeds have been used for centuries by various pre-Columbian civilizations to construct reed boats, known as balsa. These boats range in size from small fishing canoes to vessels up to 30 meters long, and they are still in use today on Lake Titicaca.
The Uros people, who continue to live on man-made floating islands scattered across the lake, also rely on totora reeds. These islands, built entirely from the reeds, typically support three to ten houses, which are also constructed from the same material. The Uros use totora reed boats for fishing and hunting waterbirds, maintaining a traditional way of life that has endured for generations.
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.
