One of the most important
activities of the Park is the encouragement and
organization of research work and participation
in it. Following various inventories prepared at
the time of Park’s establishment, the majority
of activity is now oriented towards the establishment
of continuous monitoring, by means of which an
adequate system for monitoring the situation will
be established. It is reasonable to monitor all
the parameters over the long term as it will enable
rapid detection of negative effects on the environment
and adequate responses or the adoption of certain
measures aimed at alleviating these effects.
For
this purpose, different factors are monitored
regularly: quality and quantity of water in the
cave, microclimate in the cave, flora and fauna
on the surface, cave fauna, cracks in the cave
and on collapse doline walls and the influence
of ground-level ozone on the surface.
In order
to achieve these objectives, the Park regularly
participates in invitations to tender
(both internationally and nationally) so
as to obtain the necessary funds for the purchase
of
equipment, arrangement of infrastructure
and
the presentation of results to general public.
In addition,
some projects foresee the hiring of additional
labour needed for project work.
International projects
in which the Škocjan Caves Park Public Service
Agency is the project applicant:
Title:
MANAGEMENT - ŠCRP
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE PROGRAMME INTERREG III A SLOVENIA-HUNGARY-CROATIA 2004–2006
Applicant:
Škocjan Caves
Park Public Service Agency, Slovenia
Partners:
Divača Municipality, Ilirska Bistrica Municipality, Park Učka (Cro)
Duration
of the project:
7.2007 –4. 2008
Project
cost:
85.361 EUR
Objectives:
Sustainable development /nature protection
Results:
Management plan for the Škocjan Caves Park and its wider transition area.
Prepared map of habitat types for part of the protected influence area of the Škocjan Caves Park in total area 9,265km2, inventory of crabs in Reka river basin, proposal of monitoring of flora and fauna in Karst Biosphere Reserve (KBR).
Several educational programmes for employes, pupils and local inhabitants. quality promotion of natural valuable features
Renovation of Škocjan Caves Park web pages.
Raising the public awareness about nature protection, sustanaible development in the whole protected area for all ages and quality promotion of natural valuable features.
Strengthened co-operation with the international Park's Network of Schools, establishment of network of schools in cross-border partner Park Učka (Cro) and establishment of co-operation with network of schools of Park Učka (Cro).
Brochures published in co-operation with cross-border partners on project results, cooperation.
Title:
Strengthening
the protection and development of valuable
natural features in the wider area of
the Škocjan Caves Park
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
PROGRAMME INTERREG III A SLOVENIA – ITALY
2000–2006
Applicant:
Škocjan Caves
Park Public Service Agency, Slovenia
Partners:
San Dorligo
della Valle/Dolina Municipality, Doberdo
del Lago/Doberdob Municipality
Duration
of the project:
1.5.2005
– 31.12.2006
Project
cost:
71.818.219
SIT
Objectives:
To raise
awareness on the importance of protected
areas and the Classical Karst on both sides
of the border and to set up adequate information
and technical infrastructure.
Results:
Renovated and refurbished the
Škocjan Caves Information Centre in Matavun
and furnished Information Point where
visitors can obtain information on the
Škocjan Caves Park, the Classical Karst
on both sides of the border and the area
of influence.
Prepared map of habitat
types for part of the transitional
area of the Škocjan
Caves Park.
Trained voluntary nature
protection supervisors.
Equipped laboratory
classroom as well as the geological
and biological
exhibitions
in the Škocjan 3 Natural Science
Centre.
Strengthened co-operation
with the Park's Network of Schools.
Brochure
published in co-operation with cross-border
partners on
protected areas in the Classical
Karst.
Title:
Establishment
of monitoring of the Reka River's subterranean
course; Acronym: URM (Underground Reka
River Monitoring)
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
PROGRAMME INTERREG III A SLOVENIA – ITALY
2000–2006
Applicant:
Škocjan Caves
Park Public Service Agency, Slovenia
Partners:
University
of Trieste – Department for Environmental,
Geological and Marine Sciences, University
of Nova Gorica – Department of Karstology,
Sežana Speleological Association, Gregor
Žiberna Speleological Association Divača
Duration
of the project:
1.5.2005
–1.7.2007
Project
cost:
71.597 €
Objectives:
The general
objective of the project is to establish
the principles of sustainable protection
of the Karst region, with the emphasis
on the protection of underground waters
and the monitoring of water quantity in
individual periods. This will be achieved
by the establishment of continuous monitoring
of the quality and quantity of water that
flows into the Karst aquifer from the Reka
River. This will be the first uniform system
of monitoring of all known caves along
the underground course of the Reka River
in the area of the Classical Karst.
The purchase and setting up of eight instruments
has been planned in order to determine the
basic physical and chemical parameters: temperature,
conductivity, dissolved oxygen, groundwater
level, rate of flow as well as biological
analyses that have not yet been carried out
to a great extent. A station measuring the
rate of flow is also to be set up.
Data collection and processing will be the
basis for the preparation of adequate measures
and activities related to the protection
of the sensitive and vulnerable Karst aquifer.
This is in line with the Škocjan Caves Regional
Park Act as well as the implementation of
the provisions established in the Convention
Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural
and Natural Heritage and the Ramsar Convention.
At the end of the project, we will publish
a special brochure that will shed light on
these problematic issues and emphasize the
importance of such water monitoring. The
results of the project and monitoring will
also be published in specialised and non-specialised
publications in both Slovenia and Italy.
Such joint cross-border monitoring could
serve as a model for successful international
co-operation when designing similar projects
in other Karst and Alpine regions that are
faced with similar problems.
Results:
Title:
Historical
renovation of the old path in Hanke's Channel
in the Škocjan Caves
The project
has been realized by means of funds provided
by the Škocjan Caves Park Public Service
Agency and the partner Berchtesgaden National
Park from the Free State of Bavaria, Germany.
Duration
of the project:
2003 - 2005
Estimated
project cost:
20.000 €
Objectives:
To renovate
an over 100-year old fence and small bridges
on the path leading to Hanke's Channel.
Results:
We have renovated
part of the trail in which the fence was
destroyed at some places because of wear
and tear. The reconstruction of the fence
made with identical materials and techniques
as the original required the innovative approaches,
and is thus a true presentation of technical
heritage. It is usable and safe for those
experts who will visit this part of the cave.
In total, there is over 270 metres of renovated
path of all types (path on the flat surface,
stairs, viewpoint) and seven small bridges.
The path leading to Deževna jama (Rain Cave)
has been completely renovated. At places
where the fence is covered with flowstone
deposits or is, due to other reasons, in
a good condition, we have endeavoured to
preserve the original fence to the greatest
possible extent. The renovated path represents
an authentic version of the original.
Wetlands from
the mountains to the sea, co-operation with
schools participating in the Park's Network
of Schools from both sides of the state border.
Duration
of the project:
2003-2004
Project
cost:
3.000 €
Objectives:
To achieve
more responsible management of wetlands
and efforts for their conservation.
Results:
Preparation
of inventories in the Reka River watershed
in the areas of individual primary schools,
presentation and strengthened awareness about
their significance.
Title:
Organization,
presentation and furnishing of the Nature
Science Education Trail in the protected
area of world natural heritage at UNESCO
Škocjan
Caves Park region, co-operation with the
University of Trieste
Duration
of the project:
2002-2003
Project
cost:
27.000 €
Objectives:
To present
the significance of cultural heritage and
valuable natural features in the Park to
the wider public and to educate the wider
public, especially school groups, thereof.
Results:
Organization,
presentation and furnishing of the Nature
Science Education Trail in the protected
area of world natural heritage at UNESCO
– the area of the Škocjan Caves Park.
Title:
Discovery
and exploration of archaeological and paleontological
finds
Škocjan
Caves Park area, Trieste, Koper, Ljubljana,
co-operation with museums
Duration
of the project:
2000-2001
Project
cost:
21.720 €
Objectives:
To establish
and strengthen cross-border contacts with
institutions that exhibit archaeological
artefacts found in the Škocjan Caves Park
area.
Results:
Rediscovery
and cataloguing of certain archaeological
finds in Trieste museums and at the Department
of Archaeology at SAZU in Ljubljana, opening
of an exhibition dedicated to these finds,
photographing of these finds.
Title:
From
Mount Snežnik to the sea
Area
of influence of the Park, co-operation
with six primary schools from the Reka
River watershed from Slovenia and Italy.
Duration
of the project:
1999-2000
Project
cost:
10.000 €
Objectives:
To train
mentors for educating young people in the
field of environmental programmes.
Results:
Determination
of water quality in the Reka River, training
of mentors and educating pupils, publication
of a brochure and opening of an exhibition,
establishing contacts between schools and
other organisations both in Slovenia and
across the border.
Title:
Management
plan
Protected
area of the Park, co-operation with the
Dolomiti-Belunesi Park.
Duration
of the project:
1999-2000
Project
cost:
7.500 €
Objectives:
To achieve
the potential for sustainable management
of protected areas.
Results:
Comparison of
the environmental legislation of the Republic
of Slovenia and the Republic of Italy, preparation
of a plan for the protection and development
programme, management plans.
International projects
in which the Škocjan Caves Park Public Service
Agency participates as a partner organisation:
Title:
A
Global Information and Communication
Exchange System for sustainable management
of natural resources and public relation
for the Alpine Network of Protected Areas;
Acronym: ALPENCOM
INTERREG
IIIB ALPINE SPACE
Applicant:
Parc National
des Ecrins – Réseau Alpin des Espaces Protégés
(Alpine network)
Duration
of the project:
1.1.2005
– 31.12.2007
Project
cost:
1.400.000
€
Objectives:
To strengthen public understanding
of Alpine ecosystems and their vulnerability.
To
increase and optimize the efficiency
of protected area management by means
of knowledge and technology exchange.
Mutual
promotion.
To contribute to the development
of local and regional economy by
promoting environmentally-friendly
tourist activities
and, in general, to contribute
to the concept of integrated sustainable
development.
To strengthen the existing
Alpine Network of Protected Areas.
To
co-operate with the new European Union
Member States (Carpathian
Network of Protected Areas).
Results:
The project
is still ongoing.
The SCP's costs amount
to € 100,000.
NATURA
2000 FOR BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE; Short
name: NATURA OF THE PRIMORSKA REGION
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
PROGRAMME INTERREG III A SLOVENIA – ITALY
2000–2006
Applicant:
Society for
Observation and Study of Birds of Slovenia,
DOPPS
Duration
of the project:
1.1.2006-31.12.2007
Project
cost:
76.969.590
SIT (ca. 321.470,12 €).
Objectives:
The project's
objective is to contribute to the successful
long-term protection of Natura 2000 areas
and other areas of valuable natural features
in beneficiary regions, thus also contributing
to the comprehensive sustainable development
of the cross-border area. The project is
aimed at creating good practice examples
in the integration of nature conservation
by targeting the sustainable development
of rural areas and searching for new development
opportunities by means of market strategy
development. From the professional point
of view, we will contribute to the protection
of Natura 2000 by preparing management guidlines
for protected bird species, supported by
some necessary research of species and habitats,
and by setting-up a network of area managers.
Promotional and educational activities and
the related interpretation activities will
enable us to familiarize target groups with
the valuable natural features and biodiversity
of Natura 2000 areas, contribute to awareness-raising
and a more responsible relationship to nature.
This two-year project will take place from
1.1.2006 to 31.12.2007 in all Natura 2000
(SPA) areas in the beneficiary region in
Slovenia and surrounding locations.
Results:
The project
is still ongoing.
The ŠCP's costs amount
to SIT 2,175,000.00 or € 9,073.84.
Organisation
of an exhibition in Nature Science Centre
Beehive
Renovation of the Cerkvenik Bridge
Research:
KRANJC, Darja: DANE NEAR DIVAČA
(Pared, Kačiče), Škocjan 2005. 93 pages of text,
417 units of documentary photographs, 8 units of
cartographic material.
Ethnological research of part of
the area of influence of the Škocjan Caves Regional
Park envisaged for the enlargement of the ŠCP protected
area, supplemented with proposals for the inclusion
of certain themes in the tourist offer and protection
work. It consists of six sets:
1) Space and time
2) Population structure through time
3) Cultural activities in the past and present
4) Beliefs and folk medicine in the first half
of the 20th century
5) Culinary art in the half of the 20th century
6) Economic activities in the past and preservation
of some of these activities until the present day
KRANJC, Darja: ŠKOCJAN CAVES REGIONAL
PARK 1996–2006, Changes (in the way of life) of
inhabitants in the narrow protected area 10 years
later, Anonymous questionnaire for households and
its analysis, Škocjan, 2006. 33 pages of text,
18 pages of questionnaire.
This supervisory research that
is to be carried out every ten years is especially
aimed at covering the maximum spectrum of themes
that are of interest to the Park's Managing Authority
and about which local inhabitants can provide their
feedback, propose what actions could (also) be
adopted, and what should be amended in order to
achieve the set protection and development goals
of the Park. The research could also be considered
as a means for exchanging opinions with every household
in the protected area wishing to do so. The analysis
includes the following chapters:
1) Filling in the questionnaire
2) Changes at the level of management and the network
of mutual relations
3) ŠCP economic product
4) Living in the Park ten years later
5) Protection and development ten years later
6) Co-operation of the ŠCP Public Service Agency
with local inhabitants, its financial and professional
support
Prepared by:
Borut Peric, Samo Šturm, Darja. Kranjc, Rosana
Cerkvenik
