Conservation Warrior, Ana Petrović makes her contribution to preserving our planet

Ana Petrović volunteers in the framework of Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) for the Interreg ČIGRA project at the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Zagreb. Her goal is to support the project team in improving the conservation and stabilisation of common tern on the Drava and Sava rivers in order to create a joint action for habitat restoration in Slovenia and Croatia.

This threatened species lives on small gravel islands over a restricted area of the Sava and Drava rivers between Slovenia and Croatia. Their successful conservation requires cooperation between organisations from both countries. Scientists and conservationists have gathered in the Interreg V-A Slovenia-Croatia project "ČIGRA" and designed a joint cross-border tern monitoring programme which they are now implementing.
The project partners are also tackling various conservation issues that continental tern populations face in Slovenia and Croatia such as habitat loss, predation and human disturbance.

“By applying appropriate habitat management we will preserve gravel islands which host tern colonies and ensure their long-term suitability for nesting of terns”, says Ana. The team also organises workshops for elementary school students and other local interest groups in both Croatia and Slovenia to educate them about the problems that the species is facing and what we can do to help. “It was great to see young generations being so curious and willing to participate - two such workshops were held and each was packed with positive energy” she continues.

Ana says “For me, this first month of volunteering just flew by. For the next 5 months, there is still a lot of work to do and I look forward to it all. I would recommend volunteering through IVY to anyone looking for a great opportunity to share knowledge and learn something new!”.