The results of the ConnectGREN project aroused great media interest in Slovakia following an online press conference organized by Slovak and Czech project partners on April 30th 2021. A few days late, the project partners therefore organised a press trip to the Protected Landscape Area (PLA) Cerova vrchovina on 13.5.2021. Journalists from the Slovak National Radio, TV Markiza and the daily newspaper DennikN joined the ConnectGREEN project experts on their field visit.

In the area visited during the press trip, a highway is currently being built. Members of the ConnectGREEN therefore explained to the press why viaducts and green bridges are important in such construction projects, and showed them the places where they will stand.

The concept of ecological connectivity and its crucial importance for animal migration was explained, and the media were informed about the results and goals of the Connectgreen project. The differences between the two pilot areas in Slovakia (Cerova vrchovina and Kysuce) were also highlighted, and possible solutions and next steps laid out for both.

Although the group specifically visited the places where the future highway is being built, the ConnectGREEN experts explained to the journalists that highways are not the only obstacles that threaten ecological connectivity – continued expansion of human settlements, noise and light pollution caused by human activity and fences also play a role and must be addressed.

Image 1.: Zoologist Csaba Balazs from PLA Cerova vrchovina explains to TV Markiza how the roads threaten the animal migration from PLA Poľana to Javorie and PLA Cerova vrchovina and further on to Hungary. A viaduct is to be built in this location © Andrea Hajduchova

Image 2.: The project manager from State Nature conservancy SK, Lukáš Záhorec, explains the problems posed by fences and what the long-term consequences of stopping animal migration are © Andrea Hajduchova

Image 3.: Showing a best practice example – a viaduct under which the natural landscape is preserved © Andrea Hajduchova

During the press trip, the ConnectGREEN experts gave a live interview for the Slovak National Radio, and after DennikN published their article, the Slovak Minister of Environment announced that migration corridors in Slovakia would be protected by law: