Project Beneficiaries

Notranjska Regional Park was established in 2002 with the main goal to protect natural and cultural values. The Park is also actively involved in raising awareness of inhabitants and visitors about the protection of natural and cultural heritage. The Park wishes to ensure further development of agriculture, forestry, tourism, recreation and, last but not least, the economy, in accordance with the rich natural heritage and values of this area.

By implementing nature protection and awareness-raising activities, Notranjska Regional Park is aiming to show that preserved nature is an opportunity for all who live and work in the area of the park. As the coordinating beneficiary the Park is involved in the execution of all project actions. It is also in charge of coordinating the activities of all project partners and of monitoring their progress.

Društvo za opazovanje in proučevanje ptic Slovenije (DOPPS) – BirdLife Slovenia is a national nature conservation organization. Its main goal is the protection of birds and their habitats. Its focus is detailed research of habitats, regular monitoring of selected bird species, ecological researches, reserves and quiet zones management, and education and promotion of nature conservation through birds.

In project LIFE STRŽEN, DOPPS is involved in activities aimed at improving the status of priority bird species, the bittern. They are responsible for formulating proposals and guidelines for establishing a quiet zone for bittern, as well as for monitoring the status and effects of the project, which will be demonstrated through monitoring the status of selected Natura 2000 bird species.

Company Hidrotehnik is specialized in hydro building and water management. Most of its work consists of maintenance of watercourses and water infrastructure, interventions in times of increased danger due to harmful water activity and eliminating consequences of storms and floods.

In project LIFE STRŽEN, Hidrotehnik is responsible for the renaturation of watercourse Stržen – redirecting the watercourse into its original double meander and filling up the current straight channel.

Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation is a national professional organization which strives for sustainable coexistence of nature and humankind. Their primary mission is the conservation of Slovenian nature, especially in the most vulnerable areas in the country.

Their main task in the project is monitoring the execution of the works and carrying out nature conservation supervision over the restoration of watercourse Stržen. In addition, they will participate in establishing a quiet zone for bittern and communication with key stakeholders in the project.

The Fisheries Research Institute of Slovenia performs public service activities in the fields of Freshwater and Marine fisheries. In addition, it carries out commercial activities in the field of sport and recreational fishing and fish farming, as well as various research and expert tasks in the field of fisheries biology.

The Fisheries Research Institute of Slovenia is the manager of the fishing district in Ključi, where the renaturation of watercourse Stržen will take place. This area will be excluded from the fishing district. Before the restoration works start, their task will be to remove all the fishes and crustaceans from the riverbed, in order to decrease the negative impact of construction works on these species. By monitoring fish associations before and after the renaturation of watercourse Stržen, the Institute will measure the impact of this project action.