In order to raise public awareness about the need for more effective protection and higher levels of conservation of natural values, International Drava River Day is celebrated every year on September 23.

Yesterday, on September 22, 2024, Drava River Day was marked by the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Parts of Nature and the Ecological Network of Virovitica- Podravina County, as part of the activities of the project Preserving and restoring floodplain forest habitats along the Mura-Drava-Danube rivers, LIFE22-NAT-AT-LIFE RESTORE for MDD (acronym: LIFE RESTORE for MDD).

The director of the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Parts of Nature and the Ecological Network of Virovitica- Podravina County, Tatjana Arnold Sabo, greeted the project partners and all participants of Drava River Day with an introductory speech.

The activities continued on the banks of the Drava River in the municipality of Sopje. The mayor of Sopje, Berislav Androš welcomed all participants, while Tatjana Arnold Sabo, the director of the Public Institution, presented the LIFE RESTORE for MDD project and all the protected areas along the Drava River.

HGSS conducted a demonstration exercise on the banks of the Drava River, using a search dog to simulate the rescue of stranded and lost people. After the demonstration exercise, began an 8-kilometer canoe ride on the Drava River, during which participants had the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Drava River and its biodiversity.

Following the water activities, all participants went to the Visitor Center the Drava Story, where they continued with friendly engagement.