Today, on December 17, 2024, the 2nd meeting of the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve Collaborative Council in the Virovitica-Podravina County area was held at the Visitor center the Drava Story, as part of the project Preserving and restoring floodplain forest habitats along the Mura-Drava-Danube (Project 101113557 — LIFE22-NAT-AT-LIFE RESTORE for MDD).

The meeting was attended by representatives of local and regional government units, Croatian Waters, the Regional Development Agency of Virovitica-Podravina County – VIDRA, the Public Fire Brigade Orahovica, the Tourist Board of Virovitica-Podravina County, and staff of the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Parts of Nature and the Ecological Network of Virovitica Podravina County.

Following the introductory remarks, the President of the Collaborative Council of the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve for the Virovitica-Podravina County area, Tatjana Arnold Sabo, presented the activities of the Public Institution within the Reserve during 2024, new projects currently being implemented, and project proposals. Vladimir Juhaz, head of the bio-research station, presented the results after the first year of implementation of the LIFE RESTORE for MDD project.

The members of the Collaborative Council discussed ongoing and upcoming projects in the Virovitica-Podravina County area, and their impact on the region’s development and biodiversity conservation. They also discussed ways to improve cooperation among all members of the Collaborative Council, as well as the exchange of knowledge, experience, and ideas with the goal of sustainable development, with a strong focus on nature conservation.

After the meeting, Nature Ranger Karlo Fičko presented to interested participants the holograms acquired through the Pink Villains project.