Workshops in Ston, Slano and Konavle

In April, the Public Institution for Management of Protected Natural Areas of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County hosted the project partners and stakeholders from Dubrovnik-Neretva County for the workshops on planning the project activities in freshwater habitats and agriculture areas in Ston, Slano and in Grudi in Konavle.

Workshops were attended by representatives from local government, hunting associations, farmers' associations and family farms, as well as owners of the land on which the Balkan Terrapin can be found. Their goal was to present the project in more detail, as well as to present the biology of the species, threats to its survival same and further steps for its preservation. Workshops were very interactive and resulted in new useful information for improving the habitat quality of this strictly protected species. Key stakeholders who contribute to the preservation of the Balkan terrapin and its habitats through their work were identified, and it is planned to include them in the Co-opetarive Board.

On a joint field visit of the habitats in Ston, Majkovi and in Grudi in Konavle, threats to the survival of the Balkan Terrapin were explored, and partners talked with stakeholders about the best locations for implementing project activities and discussed topics such as how to install repellents for wild boars and the restoration of ponds and canals.