© Kenny Goossen – unsplash
Educational lynx trail
- Category: Public Education
- Duration: 2020 - 2021
- Location: Slovenia, Kočevje
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Organisations:
Public Institute for Tourism and Culture Kočevje - Contact person: Nevenka Klun - nevenka.klun@kocevsko.com
- Target species: Eurasian lynx
Introduction
The Eurasian lynx population in Slovenia is endangered, mainly due to genetic deterioration (inbreeding). To save the population from extinction, the LIFE Lynx project was launched in 2017. New animals were translocated to the area, and the genetic diversity of the population was approved. Besides translocating lynx, it is essential that such projects also address other aspects, involving stakeholders and increasing public support for lynx.
Lynx educational trail was prepared by Biotehnical faculty, University of Ljubljana and Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation. Since the beginning, project team actively involved local stakeholders from organizations covering tourism, forest management and local mountaineering club. Content was developed in two languages to cover needs of foreign and domestic visitors, through development of different side products (booklet for children, didactic guidelines for teachers, interactive e-lessons) it was ensured that the trail is interesting for different target groups.
Particular attention was given to finding a local partner to take over the maintenance of the route once the project has been completed.
Key actions
Workshop for locals to present the idea and gather suggestions
Transfer of governance from project to local tourism organization
Preparation of the trail and contents for the info boards
Results
Short, circular educational trail with 8 thematic stops and didactic elements. Content is bilingual, covering facts about the species, its importance in the ecosystem, threats the population is facing. Booklet in form of treasure hunt was created to motivate children to hike the trail, moreover didactic guidelines (in Slovene only) for teachers were prepared to find out what curriculum content is covered by the content of the trail.
Lynx thematic trail was also awarded by Tourist Association of Slovenia as “Best thematic trail in 2023”.
Financing
Activity was financed through LIFE Lynx project, LIFE16 NAT/SI/000634, for the budget of cca. 10.000 EUR. LIFE Lynx was co-financed by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial planning of the Republic of Slovenia.