Dinara back to LIFE aims to protect and restore dry grassland habitats and their characteristic species in Natura 2000 network sites in the Dinara Mountains of Croatia. In addition to professional conservation activities for dry grasslands restoration, such as planned grazing, controlled burning and other tasks, our objective is to revive and protect its nature.
In order to bring back life and pastures to the Dinara area, the “Dinara back to LIFE” project will restore overgrown grasslands and work on creating institutional requirements for their future sustainable management as well as promote livestock farming as a nature preserving traditional activity.
The activities planned for the next three years are not intended as a one-time event with no follow up. Their launch is just the beginning of a long-term idea about sustainable management of Mount Dinara in order to continuously provide us with its natural resources.
Travnjaci
Površina (ha): 4279.86
Stanista: Diverse habitats (62A0; 6170)
Ptice: Emberiza hortulana
Travnjaci
Površina (ha): 2396.53
Staništa: Diverse habitats (62A0; 6170)
Ptice: Emberiza hortulana
Ježevicka Suhopolja
Površina (ha): 442.32
Staništa: Very dry low grasslands overgrowing with juniper (62A0)
Ptice: Calandrella brachydactylla; Burhinus oedicnemus
Kijevsko Suhopolje - Validžici
Površina: 588.35
Staništa: Very dry low grasslands overgrowing with juniper (62A0)
Ptice: Calandrella brachydactylla
Travnjaci Eremophila
Površina (ha): 4134.11
Staništa: Diverse habitats (62A0; 6170)
Travnjaci
Površina (ha): 311.76
Staništa: Diverse habitats (62A0)
This richness of hidden life was finally recognized as Croatia joined the EU. Dinara was proclaimed a Natura 2000 site, both as a Special Protection Area (SPA), and Site of Community Importance (SCI). Such protection status is flattering and important, especially because it brought international recognition of its natural values. The protection under Natura 2000 ecological network set a foundation for us to safeguard and protect Dinara’s natural values, for their importance for global biodiversity, and for all the benefits for human life and the wellbeing of its inhabitants.
This richness of hidden life was finally recognized as Croatia joined the EU. Dinara was proclaimed a Natura 2000 site, both as a Special Protection Area (SPA), and Site of Community Importance (SCI). Such protection status is flattering and important, especially because it brought international recognition of its natural values. The protection under Natura 2000 ecological network set a foundation for us to safeguard and protect Dinara’s natural values, for their importance for global biodiversity, and for all the benefits for human life and the wellbeing of its inhabitants.
Special attention will be given to the bird species dependent on the Dinaric habitat type. They are ortolan bunting, short-toed lark and stone-curlew. Apart from creating important and quality institutional conditions for nature conservation, emphasis is also given on involvement of the local population. Within this project, the idea is to provide strong support for development of agricultural activities and tourism services whose values are based on coexistence with nature.
Special attention will be given to the bird species dependent on the Dinaric habitat type. They are ortolan bunting, short-toed lark and stone-curlew. Apart from creating important and quality institutional conditions for nature conservation, emphasis is also given on involvement of the local population. Within this project, the idea is to provide strong support for development of agricultural activities and tourism services whose values are based on coexistence with nature.
Mount Dinara has a long tradition of livestock farming without even using the word livestock but blago, meaning ‘treasure’ in Croatian language, what clearly defines its value to local population. The highest zone of Mount Dinara does not consist of steep peaks but of rounded hills, in colloquial speech called heads. This quite accessible terrain was ideal for livestock breeding because shepherds could pass through easily.
Mount Dinara has a long tradition of livestock farming without even using the word livestock but blago, meaning ‘treasure’ in Croatian language, what clearly defines its value to local population. The highest zone of Mount Dinara does not consist of steep peaks but of rounded hills, in colloquial speech called heads. This quite accessible terrain was ideal for livestock breeding because shepherds could pass through easily.
Apart from creating important and quality institutional conditions for nature conservation, emphasis is also given on involvement of the local population. Within this project, the idea is to provide strong support for development of agricultural activities and tourism services whose values are based on coexistence with nature.
The activities planned for the next three years are not intended as a one-time event with no follow up. Their launch is just the beginning of a long-term idea about sustainable management of Mount Dinara in order to continuously provide us with its natural resources.
Grasslands restoration by planned grazing, a series of unwanted vegetation removal activities and controlled burning as well as encouraging local population in sustainable extensive livestock farming.
Developing preconditions for sustainable dry grasslands management and recognition of the Dinaric region nature as a key factor in the life quality of the local population.
Nature conservation is possible only if it involves everyone who is connected to it, uses it or simply lives with it. Each of us joined the project for a reason; each of us has a unique perspective and contributes to the project activities.
The traditional method of habitat control has come under test. Last winter, six hectares of grassland with scattered bushes and trees on Vrdovo were burned in a prescribed burn. Five months later, we checked the effects. And – they’re promising!
Wells, ponds, watering places, dry stone walls, goat trails, roads, bee pastures, archeological sites, grasslands, plant habitats – these are just some of the potentials of the area covered by the Dinara back to LIFE project, which were mentioned by the stakeholders. Potential for this and future projects.
In order for our supporters to be even better informed about the Dinara back to LIFE project, we are launching a project newsletter. Through it,
Association BIOM
Čazmanska 2, Zagreb
t. +385 1 5515 324
e. info@biom.hr
Branch office in Sinj
Matićeva 12, Sinj
t. +385 21 274 946
e. ured-sinj@
