KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER FOR AMPHIBIAN CONSERVATION: TEACHER TRAINING SEMINAR HELD IN LJUBLJANSKO BARJE

As part of the LIFE AMPHICON project, a successful training seminar for school teachers took place in Ljubljansko barje, focusing on the role of outdoor education and knowledge transfer in amphibian conservation.

The seminar, titled “Ljubljansko barje as a classroom: experience, explore, protect!”, aimed to strengthen the connection between schools and nature conservation efforts by showcasing how natural habitats can be used as effective learning environments. Participants were introduced to the Pot na Mah educational trail, established in 2024 in Goričica pod Krimom as part of the project. The trail offers numerous opportunities for hands-on learning in a unique landscape.

The training was field-based and hands-on, giving participants the opportunity to explore good practices in amphibian conservation. They visited one of 50 newly created ponds designed to support amphibian breeding, and meadows actively maintained to provide suitable terrestrial habitat. The group also learned about road mitigation measures implemented to reduce amphibian mortality and improve connectivity between different habitats – an essential measure to provide amphibian population conservation in Ljubljansko barje.

While the LIFE AMPHICON project focuses on implementing concrete conservation measures for threatened amphibian species and their habitats, raising awareness and knowledge transfer are equally important. The long-term success of conservation efforts depends on the understanding, support, and active engagement of key stakeholders, especially at the local level.

Teachers play a vital role as knowledge carriers, shaping environmental values among the next generation. To support this, the seminar concluded with the distribution of custom research kits designed to help teachers integrate nature conservation topics into their classroom activities in a practical and engaging way.

This training event demonstrates how the LIFE AMPHICON project is bridging the gap between fieldwork and education, fostering a broader understanding of amphibian conservation through active knowledge transfer.

Photo: A. Brancelj, M. Bratina, J. Tarman, A. Tratnik