International exchange of professional experience
Colleagues from the Slovenian Natura LIFE Integrated Project were hosted by the Hungarian Grassland-HU project team. During the three-day meeting, the experts got to know each other's conservation activities, good practices, and the management and funding possibilities of the Natura 2000 network.
The aim of Integrated Projects is to support Member States in implementing regional or national plans and strategies for nature conservation, environment and climate change to achieve EU objectives. They help to promote broad synergies, better cooperation between competent authorities and stakeholders, and more coordinated use of other EU and national funding sources, thereby helping to provide replicable models for other regions and Member States.
The experts working on the Slovenian Natura Project learned about the opportunities and challenges of local grassland management in the territory of the Őrség National Park Directorate: they were introduced to grassland management methods aimed at the protection of protected butterflies and the current state of the fight against the giant goldenrod (Solidago giagantea, an invasive species). In addition, the national park staff presented the Contract 2.0 project, which deals with results-based payments.
At the Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd., coordinator of the Grassland-HU LIFE integrated project, the participants focused on technical and legal issues of the Natura 2000 network, as well as on grassland management and the possibilities of support under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). At the meeting, differences between countries and possible solutions were discussed.
The delegation visited the Borsodi-Mezőség (HUBN20034) Natura 2000 area managed by Bükk National Park Directorate, where the Grassland Conservation Management Advisory Service presented different management and landscape management approaches. In the evening, there was an opportunity to watch cranes (Grus grus) flying to their roosting place. On the final day of the professional tour, the Slovenian project staff got acquainted with an other habitat type: they visited Kunpeszér, where the staff of the Kiskunság National Park Directorate presented possible ways of cooperation with local farmers in the National Park and Natura 2000 grassland areas. They also visited the Centre for the Conservation of the Hungarian meadow viper (Vipera ursinii rakosiensis), where in the artificial breeding and researchof the highly protected species of viper take place with the help of another LIFE project.
The meeting between the Grassland-HU LIFE Integrated Project and the Slovenian Natura LIFE Integrated Project has created an opportunity to exchange experiences and good practices and to strengthen the professional cooperation between the two projects. Further similar events are planned in the future, which will contribute to more efficient conservation efforts in both Hungary and Slovenia.
Although the geography of the two countries is different, there are many similarities in the management of Natura 2000 sites and the possibilities for using CAP resources for nature conservation.
Source: Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd.
