Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina: #SavaTIES project partners have gathered from 16 until 19 October 2019 in Bihać to discuss ongoing project activities and the SavaParks Network future. Participants have presented pilot implementation actions they have performed at the field and brainstormed the best ways to manage IAS as well as how to present the results to the decision-makers. Training on Project Impact Planning was organized to develop a strategic plan that can save the time and ensure reaching and proving the impacts of the Sava TIES project. The training is part of the SavaParks Network capacity building program.

                                  Training                                                                                   Pilot site visit

At the same time, the 2nd Regional workshop on invasive alien plants was held in the local municipality center in the village Kulen Vakuf on 17 October 2019. More than 30 stakeholders and representatives of project partners had a chance to exchange experiences on fight against aggressive introduced plants they are dealing with in the Sava River Basin. Sharing practical knowledge between the local stakeholders and the project consortium is crucial for the successful eradication of invasive alien species. The workshop is part of the drafting the SavaParks Network after-project Roadmap. Mirjana Bartula, workshop coordinator said: “The workshop is providing inputs on future cooperation among SavaParks Network for harmonized management of the protected areas in the Sava River basin.”.

                                                   2nd Regional Workshop participants

Una National Park, the host of the 2nd Regional Workshop and 4th Steering Committee meeting, organized field excursion to the pilot site where testing of methods for the removal of invasive alien plant Japanese knotweed has been performed. The Una National Park director, Amarildo Mulić, emphasized the fruitful cooperation they have achieved so far with the locals and relevant sectors. The involvement and education of the local community and cross sectoral cooperation is a step closer in achieving positive results in the fight against non-native species. Besides the pilot site, natural beauties of the Una River were explored.

                                 Una River                                                                         Štrbački buk waterfall                  

            Japanese knotweed                                                          Pilot site

News in national languages:

Croatia - Green Ring or Lonjsko Polje Nature Park Public Institution 

Slovenia - Public Institution Ljubljansko barje Nature Park 

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Center for Environment or Public Company National Park "Una"

Serbia - Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province or Nature Conservation Movement Sremska Mitrovica or Public Enterprise „Vojvodinašume“

Germany - EuroNatur