From 16 to 19 May 2025, an intensive field weekend took place in the Beka Landscape Park, aimed at collecting biodiversity data and educating young naturalists. The event was organised by the Škocjan Caves Park and carried out by the Biology Students’ Association.
Students were divided into six working groups under the guidance of experienced mentors, focusing on amphibians, reptiles, birds, botany, aquatic invertebrates, and bats. The event had a twofold purpose: to gather important conservation data for Beka Landscape Park and to pass on knowledge and skills to younger generations.
The weather was mostly favourable, allowing the fieldwork to run smoothly and without major interruptions. On Sunday, students presented their research findings, which confirmed the area’s remarkable biodiversity. Among the highlights of the weekend was the sighting of a female cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), a rarely observed species – a stroke of luck for the bird group. The reptile group recorded a horned viper (Vipera ammodytes), while the botany group highlighted the exceptional plant diversity of the dry karst grasslands.
“I was surprised by how many creatures actually live in those little puddles,” said one participant from the aquatic invertebrates group, emphasising the importance of exploring even the smallest habitats.
Participants were impressed by the area's natural beauty and expressed interest in continuing their research in the Škocjan Caves Biosphere Reserve in the future.
The event took place as part of the E-NAT2CARE project and is co-financed under the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia cross-border cooperation programme.
