The Regional Development Agency of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County – DUNEA, within the framework of the COASTRUST project, organized an educational workshop aimed at raising the level of knowledge and awareness about the biodiversity of the Neretva Valley. The workshop was held on December 4 in Opuzen, and its goal was to present the richness of local species and the interaction of ecosystems, human impact and climate change. Among the participants of the workshop were students from the Secondary Agricultural and Technical School of Opuzen, as well as interested individuals from the local community. The workshop was led by Iva Rajković Alendar, an expert in the field of ecology and environmental protection, who presented the key ecological processes and specificities of the Neretva Valley to the participants. During the workshop, topics such as the connection of all components of the local ecosystems, bird species diversity, the relationship between natural processes and human activities and climate change, and the importance of preserving natural habitats and sustainable management of the area. Participants actively participated in the discussion, asked questions and shared their experiences, and were most interested in how human activities intertwine with natural processes and the diversity of birds in the Neretva Valley. The educational workshop demonstrated the importance of raising awareness about the preservation of biodiversity and natural resources and represented a significant step in strengthening the knowledge of the local community about the sustainable management of the Neretva Valley ecosystem. DUNEA will continue with educational and participatory activities within the COASTRUST project, contributing to the development of capacities and knowledge in the field of environmental protection.
