Biodiversity in the focus of the Junior Rangers

Interesting programmes are held in the Krka National Park during the summer holidays that bring together children and young people eager for knowledge about the natural heritage and the preservation of habitats and species

 The first Croatian Junior Ranger group of young nature guards gathered in the Krka National Park for the third workshop as part of the Erasmus+ project, fully financed by the European Union*. The meeting was held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Krka Eco Campus in Puljane, under the leadership of members of the Biology Student Association BIUS from Zagreb.

A love for nature, flora and fauna, aquatic ecosystems, and the mysterious underground world of the karst brought together students from the Faculty of Science at the University of Zagreb, with young people from the Oklaj Regional School. Joining forces to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, they have shown that the Krka Eco Campus is an ideal place for nature lovers to gather, for learning, investigation, and exchanging knowledge, as well as for socializing and creating lasting friendships for the noble goal of understanding nature and its perfect processes.

After listening to a brief theoretical overview of invertebrates, the biology students and young conservationists equipped themselves with nets to catch insects, curiously awaiting for them to get entangled in their nets – a seemingly simple task, but not at all easy. They observed, recorded, and photographed the captured insects with special care. After the field work, they worked in the laboratory and were introduced to basic research methods in biology. With expert guidance, the curious rangers observed the magical world of insects and the abundance of life in the drops of the river. They were intrigued by the live specimens, and were particularly delighted by the bats that had recently taken up residence on a nearby terrace.

“The Krka National Park is a true treasure trove of biodiversity and a perfect outdoor classroom. As part of the ‘Biodiversity Explorer’ program conducted in the Krka National Park, we observed more than twenty-five new species over a period of one week. These are species that have been described in the literature, but have been observed and recorded in the Park for the first time. We are extremely pleased that these species have become entangled in our nets,” was confirmed by members of the Biology Student Association BIUS, who added: “We look forward to the new volunteer programme planned for September, when we will gather again in large numbers.”

The synergy of knowledge that the elder students have passed on to the younger ones raises the hope that future biologists will emerge among the junior rangers of the Krka National Park. New creative workshops await the young junior rangers to the end of the summer, and in September, they will be joined by their colleagues, junior rangers from Latvia and Finland, in the Krka National Park.

We thank our junior rangers and volunteers, biology students, and members of the Biology Student Association BIUS for their enthusiasm and dedicated commitment to the preservation of nature!

* Activities within the project “Raising Environmental Awareness among Young People from Protected Areas” (2023-3-LV02-KA210-YOU-000170610) will be carried out from 1 February 2024 to 31 January 2026. The total value of the project is 60,000.00 euros, which is fully financed by the European Union. The project leader is the Ķemeru nacionālā parka fonds from Latvia, and the project partners are the Gaujas nacionālā parka fonds from Latvia, Kehittämisyhdistys Sepra ry from Finland, and the Krka National Park. The objectives of the project are to inform young people about climate change, strengthen their awareness of the need to preserve nature and the environment, have them participate in activities within the project, and exchange their experiences through joint platforms of protected areas in the countries that are partners in the project, and to develop a system of motivating young people to participate in environmental protection, their networking, and exchange of ideas.

The project is co-financed by the European Union. The content of this material is the sole responsibility of the Krka National Park.