Together for nature: the first group of Junior Rangers has been formed at the Krka National Park

On the European Day of Parks, May 24^th, the first Croatian Junior Ranger group of young nature conservationists began operating in the Krka National Park; an agreement on cooperation in the Junior Ranger and Youth+ programs was signed with the Europarc Federation

Eighteen young people from the Oklaj Regional School have applied to participate in Junior Ranger activities in the Krka National Park, which are being implemented as part of the Erasmus+ project fully funded by the European Union.*

The first meeting was held at the Krka Eco Campus with the aim of creating trust and a stimulating environment for research, learning, and collaboration. Through research and creative mapping activities, the young nature guardians became familiar with the facilities in the Eco Campus area, discovered the richness of the plant world in the Mediterranean garden, compared the number of plant species in a mowed and unmowed meadow, learned about trees as a habitat, and also the threats posed by invasive plant species, and, further, through mutual interaction, got to know one another better.

“We congratulate you on your courage, love for nature, and the trust you have shown us by joining the Junior Ranger group of the Krka National Park, and thank you for dedicating part of your free time to preserving our unique Park”, said Gordana Goreta, professional guide at the Park, to the young nature guards, and emphasized: “Nature inspires and ennobles, and those of you who live near the Park can experience the blessings of nature every day. This makes your task even more important and special, and we are here to bring you closer to the diversity of the living world that surrounds us through play and learning.”

In the coming period, the young nature guardians or Junior Rangers can expect new, creative workshops, designed specifically for them to advance in knowledge and wisdom. While the Junior Rangers began their activities, their parents relaxed as they toured the amazing world of the natural features ​​and the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Krka National Park at the Krka Eco Campus under expert guidance.

The Junior Ranger group was formed on the basis of a cooperation agreement signed between the Krka National Park and the Europarc Federation, the largest European network of protected areas. The slogan of this year’s European Day of Parks is Together for Nature, which Krka’s Junior Rangers also marked by planting two oak seedlings at the Krka Eco Campus as their contribution to future generations.

The week preceding the European Day of Parks was particularly discussed with young people, as it was full of dates significant for nature protection. For example, May 20 marked Bee Day, May 22 marked International Biodiversity Day and Nature Protection Day in the Republic of Croatia, and May 23 marked Turtle Day.

We wish the young nature guards/Junior Rangers of the Krka National Park to persevere in learning about the richness of the living world that surrounds us and in spreading messages about the need to protect nature and the environment! Thank you.

* 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.