ENGREEN event – Focus group to develop guidelines for the restoration and maintenance of drywalls and Karst ponds

As part of the ENGREEN project, the Škocjan Caves Park, Slovenia (PŠJ) organized the second focus group. Key stakeholders in the conservation and restoration of drywall and ponds were invited, including some associated partners. After an introductory presentation of the project, experts on flora and fauna related to ponds and dry stone walls presented the ecological requirements of key species. With us were: dr. Martina Lužnik - UP FAMNIT, who presented amphibians, dr. Anamarija Žagar - NIB, who presented reptiles, Tomaž Mihelič - DOPPS expert for birds and dr. Peter Glasnović - UP FAMNIT, who presented plants tied to ponds and dry stone walls.

The participants then divided into groups and addressed two key questions: “How to effectively and sustainably restore and maintain ponds that are habitat of (protected) species?” And “How to efficiently and sustainably restore and maintain dry walls that are habitat (protected) species?”

A joint discussion and conclusion followed. Through the exchange of experiences and participatory involvement of stakeholders, the participants jointly developed concrete and useful guidelines that will help those who, like PŠJ, will be actively involved in the restoration and protection of these vulnerable habitats.