Today, on December 5, 2024, an educational workshop for local stakeholders and employees of the Public Institution was held at the Visitor center the Drava Story as part of the activities of the Pink Villains project.

Following the introductory remarks by Tatjana Arnold Sabo, Director of the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Parts of Nature and the Ecological Network of Virovitica Podravina County, the Nature Ranger and project leader, Karlo Fičko, gave a presentation on Invasive Alien Species. He explained the importance and necessity of controlling the spread of these species. Participants were also presented with the activities implemented during the first year of the project, as well as portable holograms showcasing invasive alien species.

The Pink Villains project began on November 1, 2023, with a total value of €249,313.45. The project will be implemented until September 30, 2027, and is 100% financed by the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund.

Considering that the problem of invasive alien species is increasingly growing, and that these species are one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss, the education of local stakeholders and Public Institution employees will enable the establishment of a systematic monitoring system for invasive alien species populations in the Virovitica-Podravina County area.