FINAL LIFE AMPHICON INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

From 11 to 13 February 2026, the Final LIFE AMPHICON International Conference, Amphibian Conservation and Habitat Restoration took place in Grosuplje.

The conference was organised by the Grosuplje Tourism Institute – Radensko Polje Landscape Park and the Municipality of Grosuplje, together with project partners from Slovenia, Germany and Denmark. The event marked the conclusion of seven years of international cooperation in the field of amphibian conservation and habitat restoration.

Participants were welcomed at the opening by Uroš Perme, Director of the Grosuplje Tourism Institute, Tina Mikuš, representative of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, and Suzana Levstek, Project Manager. On the second day, participants were also addressed by Simon Mlekuž from the Slovenian Infrastructure Agency and Dr Damijan Denac from the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation.

The conference brought together more than 150 experts, researchers, conservationists and representatives of various institutions from several European countries. The programme was structured into three thematic sessions – Conservation of Amphibians and Habitats, Amphibians and Roads, and Citizen Science and Education. Participants attended numerous expert presentations by national and international speakers, while project results and research findings were also presented during the poster session.

Discussions highlighted the importance of international cooperation, knowledge exchange and a comprehensive approach to amphibian conservation, combining habitat restoration, adaptation of transport infrastructure and public engagement.

The programme also included a field visit to the Ljubljansko Barje project area, where participants reviewed the implemented measures aimed at improving living conditions for amphibians.

The conference provided an opportunity to reflect on the project’s achievements and to strengthen partnerships for continued cooperation and long-term amphibian conservation beyond the LIFE AMPHICON project.

Photo: T. Martini