Ahead of the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity and Nature Protection Day in the Republic of Croatia, a ceremonial contract award for the project “Improved Management of Target Habitats and Species in Šibenik-Knin County,” worth more than €2 million, was held at the St. Anthony’s Channel Visitor Centre. The project is led by the Public Institution Nature of Šibenik-Knin County, while Šibenik-Knin County is the project partner.
The contract for the project approved under the Call “Improved Management of Protected Areas and Natura 2000 Ecological Network Areas” was presented to the Director of the Public Institution Nature of Šibenik-Knin County, MSc Anita Babačić Ajduk, by the Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, Marija Vučković.
The total value of the project amounts to EUR 2,024,220.26, with 85% provided through non-refundable grants and 15% co-financed by the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund. The project will be implemented from January 2026 to June 2029 and includes the implementation of conservation and restoration measures for target habitats and species across 29 Natura 2000 ecological network sites in Šibenik-Knin County, covering a total area of 746 hectares, of which 96 hectares are marine areas and 650 hectares are terrestrial areas.
Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition Marija Vučković emphasized that projects such as this are important for the long-term preservation of nature, strengthening the capacities of public institutions, and the sustainable management of protected areas.
“Nature protection and biodiversity conservation remain among the key priorities of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition. Projects such as this demonstrate the importance of cooperation between local and regional levels, as well as continuous investment in professional capacities and concrete nature protection measures. Our nature, which represents one of Croatia’s most valuable assets, must be protected responsibly and systematically for the benefit of present and future generations. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all employees of public institutions, experts, volunteers, and citizens on Nature Protection Day of the Republic of Croatia and the International Day for Biological Diversity, and to thank everyone whose work contributes to preserving our valuable natural heritage,” Minister Vučković stated.
The project includes activities aimed at conserving marine and terrestrial habitats, strengthening capacities and raising awareness of the importance of nature protection, preparing professional studies and management plans, and implementing concrete conservation measures in the field. Planned activities include the installation of environmentally friendly mooring buoys, the removal of lost fishing gear and marine litter, the conservation of bottlenose dolphin habitats, and the improvement of habitat conditions for bats within Natura 2000 ecological network areas.
Šibenik-Knin County Prefect Paško Rakić highlighted the importance of investing in the protection of natural heritage:
“This project further strengthens the management system for protected areas and confirms how important nature conservation, ecology, and sustainable spatial management are for the future of our county. We are proud of the work carried out by the Public Institution Nature and our competent administrative department, and we believe that the project will bring long-term benefits for nature and the local community.”
The Director of the Public Institution Nature of Šibenik-Knin County, MSc Anita Babačić Ajduk, emphasized that the project represents an important step forward towards more systematic and professional management of the county’s protected areas:
“This is the first project of this kind and scope fully focused on concrete nature protection activities and the management of Natura 2000 ecological network areas. It is particularly important to us that through this project we will further strengthen activities aimed at protecting marine habitats, Posidonia seagrass meadows, bottlenose dolphins, and other target species, while also improving the institution’s professional capacities and the monitoring system throughout the county. We are grateful to the Ministry, the Fund, and Šibenik-Knin County for their support in implementing such a demanding and important project.”
In addition to the Minister, the event was attended by State Secretary Tanja Radić Lakoš, Director of the Institute for Environment and Nature Protection Aljoša Duplić, Director of the Directorate for Water Management and Marine Protection Elizabeta Kos, Šibenik-Knin County Prefect Paško Rakić, Head of the Competent Administrative Department Dr. Sanja Slavica Matešić, as well as other representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, Šibenik-Knin County, and the Public Institution Nature of Šibenik-Knin County.
