THE FOURTH ISSUE OF THE NEWSLETTER REGLJAČ HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

As part of the LIFE AMPHICON project, in cooperation with numerous organizations, associations, volunteers, and individuals, we have—albeit with some delay—prepared the fourth review of activities in amphibian conservation and habitat protection in the Regljač newsletter for 2023.

Among the major achievements, we highlight the creation of 130 new ponds across four Natura 2000 sites, primarily aimed at supporting the target species—the Yellow-bellied Toad (Bombina variegata) and the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus). An extensive article by the co-authors, featured right after the editorial, covers the entire process—from implementation to effectiveness monitoring—as well as the specific challenges and features of each project site.

Organizers of Toad patrols submitted data and reports collected in 2023 from 22 locations across Slovenia, presented in individual contributions. In that year, at least 790 volunteers took part in these actions, recording a total of 78,114 live and road-killed amphibians. In Regljač, you can also read about interesting stories from these actions, as well as about the efforts of individuals raising awareness in the broader community. We also report on the first nationwide Frog Summit, which took place in Štore—were you among us? The next opportunity to meet will be on September 20, 2025, in Trebče in the Kozjansko Park. We hope to see you there!

The Slovenian Infrastructure Agency also presented the results of amphibian and road studies conducted in 2023 on six sections of state roads. According to the data, these surveys covered 16.75 kilometers of road sections within impact areas for amphibians.

Other conservation activities carried out in 2023 included amphibian studies in southwestern Slovenia, the creation and restoration of ponds in the Škocjan Caves Biosphere Reserve and the Pivka region, the removal of invasive alien fish species from some ponds in the Ljubljana Marshes, and the excavation of ponds on selected farms in agricultural landscapes. Additional measures focused on the Yellow-bellied Toad and the Great Crested Newt along the Drava River, as well as the restoration of a pond in Izlake, rounding off a productive year for amphibian conservation in 2023. Each article has been carefully prepared and documents the current state of amphibian conservation—an area where many individuals and organizations continue to dedicate their efforts for the protection and survival of these species.

As in previous years, we warmly invite you to join us in the LIFE AMPHICON project activities and contribute to improving knowledge about the distribution of amphibians and their habitats in Slovenia. You are welcome to share your amphibian sightings and photos with us —we are also happy to assist with species identification at the Coordination Centre for Amphibians (CCA). A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to this citizen science initiative—in 2025 alone, we have already collected 1,622 records and 1,886 photographs from 567 locations across Slovenia. The results are presented in the final pages of the Regljač newsletter and on the BioPortal website.

You are kindly invited to read the Regljač newsletter —perfect for some light summer reading on these hot days!

Photo: P. Golob, G. Šepec