The final SavaTIES project conference, held online at 10 AM on 12 May 2021, served as an opportunity to present the outcomes of a three-year international cooperation established with the aim to achieve effective management of invasive alien species in the Sava river basin. The conference was organized by Lonjsko Polje Nature Park Public Institution, Zeleni Prsten Public Institution, and the EuroNatur Foundation from Germany with their SavaParks Network partners. 

Keynote speakers were Gabriel Schwaderer, the executive director of the EuroNatur Foundation, and Marija Kušmiš, the director of Lonjsko Polje Nature Park Public Institution. “In addition to climate change, loss of habitat and direct exploitation of plant species, invasive alien species pose one of the biggest threats to biodiversity”, Kušmiš said. When it comes to preservation of biodiversity in the Sava river area, the most dangerous invasive alien species are the false indigo, native to North America, the Himalayan balsam, effectively eliminated by mulching, and the Japanese knotweed, a species imported from East Asia.  

Aljoša Duplić, the head of the Institute for Environment and Nature, spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, and stressed the significance of joint effort in tackling these challenges on the part of all those who forged their cultural identities on the banks of the Sava river. He also expressed hope that they would continue to work together to further eliminate any negative impacts on the environment and develop a healthy co-existence with this river. 

The first panel discussion featured partners and associated partners from Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They all contributed to the success of the cross-border cooperation which was in fact essential in handling the IAS issue promptly and successfully. Furthermore, the conference included the presentation of the overall concept of the project, the theoretical and the applied knowledge, the research conducted and the communication-oriented activities. “People are still unaware of the gravity of the situation, and how devastating the impact of invasive alien species can be. This is why when we address this issue publicly, we always try to come up with the most intriguing examples and facts so as to bring it to the public eye and familiarize people with the problem" said Luka Basrek from Zeleni prsten Public Institution of Zagreb County.

Also discussed were the results of the project, future cooperation and the role NGOs could play in policy development. “In several countries there are certain shortcomings in terms of how prompt the response is to the early warning signs of invasiveness”, said Jana Kus of the Slovenian Symbiosis Institute, pointing out that “early warning is critical as it may enable timely eradication of an invasive alien species and in this way prevent it from spreading further.” 

Research scientists Ana-Christina Cardoso and Gustzav Csomor, who took part in this project as outside associates, stressed how essential transnational cooperation is, and how important it is to share the know-how when it comes to successful eradication of invasive alien species in the Sava river basin. 

The conference also included the screening of Goran Šafarek’s documentary Plavozeleni svijet rijeke Save (The Blue and Green World of the Sava River). The film addresses the problem of invasive alien species, and focuses on several among them, namely, the false indigo and the spiny cocklebur, as well as on the methods that might help in removing or completely eradicating them. 

The SavaTIES project has been in progress for the past three years with the objective to develop an effective solution for permanent elimination of invasive alien species, and any organism whatsoever which is not native to a specific ecosystem but imported as a result of human activity. Invasive alien species are hard to manage, difficult to remove, and have a negative impact on natural European habitats. The losses that ensue from their presence are substantial as they affect not only the environment, but also the economy and public health. This project also included courses on the removal and eradication methods of invasive alien species which truly proved to be to the benefit of all the project partners, providing them with a valuable opportunity to share their specific experience and the know-how in dealing with invasive species. Intersectoral and international collaboration certainly contributed to building a stronger and closer connection within the whole transnational corridor, as well as a thriving future of the ecosystems which can be found there. The value of this three-year project is 1.604.137 EUR. 

News in national languages:

Croatia - Zeleni prsten Public Institution of Zagreb County 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 PE Vojvodinasume or Nature Conservation Movement Sremska Mitrovica

Germany - EuroNatur