From February 28 to March 2, 2025, as part of the implementation of project activities by the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Parts of Nature and the Ecological Network of Virovitica Podravina County, and within the framework of the project Development of the Tourist and Recreational Center Jezero–Hercegovac–Ružica grad, KK.06.1.2.03.0002, acronym TRC, a three-day pilot education program was held for members of the Darko Tivanovac Scout Troop from Valpovo, focusing on the topic Natural and Cultural Heritage of Virovitica-Podravina County.
On the first day of the program, participants were introduced to the park and content of the Visitor center the Drava Story, followed by a presentation about the TRC project and the activities of the Public Institution, as well as a lecture on the Cultural Heritage of Virovitica-Podravina County. The program continued with a cycling tour along the Drava River to explore the area's biodiversity, a visit to the multimedia exhibition and bio-research station at the Visitor center the Drava Story, and a presentation of the Pink Villains project – on the control of invasive alien species. In the evening, a themed event was held in memory of Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting movement. On the second day, the participants visited the project area near Orahovica Lake, explored Ružica grad and Lake Hercegovac, the Church of the Discovery of the Holy Cross, and Mihalović Manor in Orahovica. The field trip concluded with visits to the EPIcenter Sequoia, the Church of St. Joseph, and the Homeland Museum in Slatina. The day ended at the Visitor center the Drava Story with a cultural and entertainment evening. The third day began with a presentation on the Natural Heritage of Virovitica-Podravina County and a reading of the illustrated story The Princess Who Became a Legend. This was followed by a guided walk along the Drava LIFE Educational Trail, using birdwatching equipment provided by the staff of the Public Institution. The program concluded with a knowledge check through the completion of worksheets on the Natural and Cultural Heritage of Virovitica-Podravina County and an art workshop.
The project Development of the Tourist and Recreational Center Jezero–Hercegovac–Ružica grad is co-funded by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014–2020, through the Call for Proposals Promotion of Sustainable Development of Natural Heritage in the Area of Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem, based on the Grant Agreement KK.06.1.2.03.0002. The City of Orahovica is the lead project beneficiary, and project partners include: the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Parts of Nature and the Ecological Network of Virovitica Podravina County, the Virovitica-Podravina County Tourist Board, and the Tourist Board of the City of Orahovica. The objective of the project is to increase the attractiveness, educational capacity, and sustainable management of destinations of natural and cultural heritage.
(Photo: Public Institution VPC, Darko Tivanovac Scout Troop Valpovo)