JeloviZA

Alpine Politics — Nov 21, 2024

Project title: 'JeloviZA - To improve the status of ecosystems and conservation of qualifying species in the Jelovica Natura 2000 site and to develop a management model that takes ecosystem services into account in decision-making processes'

Project acronym: JeloviZA

Financial support for the operation:

The JeloviZAproject is co-financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Financial Mechanism in the amount of EUR 1,143,298.04.

Programme.

Project duration: from 1.5.2022 to 30.4.2024

 

Starting point:

The Jelovica area represents an important concentrated nature conservation area in Slovenia. It is characterised by its Natura 2000 status and a variety of valuable bird habitats, nature reserves and natural features. The area has already suffered the consequences of climate change: natural disasters have created conditions for the proliferation of lichens, thus increasing the vulnerability of the area.

 

The main objective of the project:

The main objective of the project is to facilitate the participatory preparation of the Management Model through forest rehabilitation, empowerment and education, thus contributing to the increased climate resilience of Jelovica. By achieving the key results of the project, we will significantly contribute to the outcome of the programme "Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation" and pursue the direct impact of better capacity of stakeholders for ecosystem management.

Main project activities:

  • Restoration of damaged and burnt forest by planting adapted tree species and protection of habitat trees.
  • participatory preparation of the Jelovica Management Model
  • activities for stakeholders, such as transfer of good practices, trainings, talks and workshops to achieve better capacity and expertise for ecosystem management
  • inventory of the species wild cock, wood partridge and three-toed clover
  • installation of counters to obtain data on the pressure on the area (number of visitors, traffic, recreational activities, etc.) and preparation of an assessment of the pressure on the area
  • Inventory and valuation of ecosystem services throughout the site
  • restoration of nesting boxes for ibex
  • awareness raising and communication activities for the conservation of the site

Key project results:

  • Ecosystem restoration
  • analysis of the status of habitats and qualifying species in Jelovica
  • participatory preparation of the Management Model
  • Review of good practices
  • valuation of ecosystem services
  • zoning of the area
  • awareness raising and professional training
  • implementation of communication campaigns

The target groups of the project are:

  • representatives of the local communities of the municipalities
  • hunters
  • foresters
  • nature conservationists
  • tourism professionals
  • employees of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage
  • managers of economic and public infrastructure
  • forest owners
  • local population
  • public health service providers
  • employees of cultural institutions

Lead partner: CIPRA Slovenia

Project partners:

Nature Conservation Institute (OE Kranj)

Forest Institute (OE Bled)

Development Agency SORA d.o.o.

Municipality of Železniki

CIPRA International

 

See the JeloviZA leaflet HERE.

The latest developments in the project can be found HERE.

 

Contact person:

Katarina Žakelj, katarina.zakelj@cipra.org