The LIFE WILDisland project partners came together once again in on the 1st and 2nd of July, 2022.
The first day took place in Kopačevo, Croatia, hosted by the Kopački rit Nature Park. The meeting started with an optional excursion to the newly opened Presentation and Education Center Tikveš.
Then the team gathered to discuss the socio-economic monitoring developed within the project. This action is intended as the first-of-its-kind comprehensive Danube-wide survey to measure and quantify the general public’s understanding of nature conservation and protected areas, citizens’ awareness of the value of the Danube’s Natura 2000 sites, and their acceptance of riverine wilderness. Finally, the survey evaluates the local understanding of investments in the river and habitat restoration.
Once the questionnaire is finalized, we will share it and invite everyone to fill it, so stay tuned or subscribe to our newsletter HERE.
In the afternoon the project partner visited the LIFE WILDisland project site in Croatia, where Kopacki rit and Hrvatske šume will carry out forestry actions for transforming hybrid poplar plantations into natural riparian stands.
The second day started with discussing the monitoring concepts for river restoration actions so all project partners can compare, explain and coordinate their monitoring strategies. The participants then moved upstream to Duna-Drava National Park in Hungary, had a wonderful traditional lunch, prepared by the park rangers and took part in a canoe trip from Külső-Béda oxbow to Debrina island to see the place of planned LIFE WILDisland forest restoration actions, carried out together with Aduvizig. Some of the participants also visited the Battle of Mohács Memorial Park, Satorhély.
The event ended at the Dunai Mosás - “Washing the Danube” ("pranje na Dunavu") Festival in Mohacs.
The festival took place for the 13th time and demonstrated the painstaking laundry processes of their ancestors. On the banks of the river, there was a special folklore show and, of course, baking and cooking. Our hosts from the Duna-Drana National Park had prepared a lot of activities for young and old in their information corner and many children and parents passed by. The LIFE WILDisland project was presented with information materials, flags and special posters explaining the actions of each partner at special information stand behind the main stage.
We are very grateful to the organizers and hosts of the meeting and festival and are looking forward to our next LIFE WILDisland meeting!