Following in the footsteps of the ‘People for the Marsh’ project

This year’s traditional expert excursion made by the Republic of Slovenia Institute for Nature Conservation was organised under the auspices of the Ljubljana Regional Unit. The first day was dedicated to the ‘People for the Marsh’ project, so we took the nature conservationists to some areas of the Ljubljana Marsh where project activities were being undertaken. Participants in the “Following in the Footsteps of the People for the Marsh” excursion were guided by representatives of all the project partners.

We began the excursion at Notranje Gorice, at the headquarters of the Ljubljana Marsh Nature Park, where we presented the Ljubljana Marsh, as well as the work and mission of the public institute. We then headed towards the Strajanov Breg valley. This is a very important valley in terms of nature conservation, as there used to be meadows here with purple moor-grass in the past, which were also home to the False Ringlet. Over the last few decades, the valley had become completely overgrown with Common Alder, since mowing had been abandoned. Remains of grassland and lowland bog habitat type are consequently present only as separate patches of land. Here, we presented our activities to encourage the revitalisation of meadow land in the valley.

Afterwards, we stopped near Ig, where we saw the last remaining habitat of the False Ringlet, one of the most endangered species of butterflies in Europe. We highlighted the problems of nature-friendly use of meadow land in the Ljubljana Marsh, in order to allow the survival of numerous plant and animal species, and our experiences in collaborating with farmers, who play an important role in preserving the biodiversity of this area. We also talked about the problems regarding invasive non-native plant species and the effectiveness of some measures to prevent them spreading which we tested in the ‘People for the Marsh’ project. The great amount of information on all the things seen and heard laid the foundation for our discussion during our lunch in the Iška Gorge.

Marsh spring, Photo: ZRSVN

Strajanov Breg valley, Photo: ZRSVN

The last remaining habitat of the False Ringlet, Photo: ZRSVN