PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Slovenia's biodiversity is exceptionally well conserved and is included in several protected areas, such as the Natura 2000 Network and national, regional and landscape parks. Of all the EU Member States, Slovenia boasts the biggest share of Natura 2000 sites, with 37% of its territory included the network. In spite of this fact, biodiversity awareness is low among the target groups (policy officers, decision makers and civil society in general). Public opinion is not always positive towards the Natura 2000 network and biodiversity in general. Many opportunities thus abound to improve the knowledge and attitudes of all target groups throughout Slovenia.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the LIFE NATURAVIVA project is to highlight the danger of biodiversity loss by informing and raising awareness among the different target groups. More specifically, the project aims to:
Highlight the rich biodiversity of species, habitats and ecosystems in the country; Emphasise the role of human influence on biodiversity loss; Increase positive attitudes towards nature, protected areas and the Natura 2000 network; Increase awareness of biodiversity as ecosystem services, its socio-economic benefits as well as its benefit on health and well-being; Connect nature conservation with culture and art; Contribute to the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020; Raise the level of acceptance of conservation programmes; and Provide information to tourist authority operators on sustainable tourism and nature travel destinations. To reach the different target groups the project aims to:
Create three different educational trails in the Ljubljana botanic gardens, the GRM school in Novo Mesto and Podsreda in RP Kozjansko; Organise a biodiversity day at dry meadow in Ljubljana; Produce a brochure on biodiversity along with a film and a luxury book on biodiversity in Slovenia; Hold lectures and an outdoor exhibition in Ljubljana; Prepare two sets of panels for indoor exhibitions; Inform citizens on the problems linked to biodiversity conservation through a series of posters; Distribute promotional T-shirts and caps to target audiences interested in cultural events (as opposed to nature conservation) and hold shock events (with a biodiversity content) at traditional cultural and art events in appropriate venues such as protected areas (parks) and their neighbourhoods; Distribute games, coloured books and leaflets to children in kindergartens; Provide pupils in primary schools with a toolbox, books and worksheets and give PowerPoint presentation; Run a photo and video competition for kids as well as a research project competition; Pupils in secondary education will be approached via summer schools and workshops for teachers with a special focus on agricultural schools and colleges; Hold an agricultural advisory service workshop for farmers, as well as train selected agricultural advisors to lecture farmers; Carry out educational campaigns geared towards local authorities and prepare seedlings of native plants, as well as packages of hay gravel; and Run a Biodiversity Friendly Garden competition. Expected results: The main outcomes include:
Around 60 000 people reached by publicity campaign; 150 000 visitors taking the biodiversity educational trails and around 500 000 visiting the outdoor exhibition; More than 20 000 people throughout Slovenia reached by travelling exhibition; 10 % of Slovenia pupils participating in the Nature Education Days; Training provided to managers, teachers, agricultural advisors, farmers and gardeners; Production of a film, 20 video clips, a book, more than 100 printed articles, 200 internet posts, 50 radio broadcasts and ten television broadcasts; and Three press conferences. The project activities together are expected to reach half the Slovenian population.
