2011 PROCLAIMED INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS BY THE UN

Activities planned to mark the International Year of Forests 2011

With its Resolution no. 61/193 of 20 December 2006, the
General Assembly of the United Nation proclaimed 2011 the International
Year of Forests. In 2011, all member-countries are invited to participate
in and organise events and activities at international and national levels
to mark the International Year of Forests with the purpose of educating
the public on the importance that forests and forest ecosystems have for
the entire planet and all segments of human life.

In late 2010, PI “Priroda” published an educational brochure
entitled “The Wonderful World of Forests: Primary Forest Communities
of the County of Primorje and Gorski Kotar”, as a prelude to the
International Year of Forests. In collaboration with the “Nova Akropola”
Cultural Association, it also organised the exhibition “The Wonderful
World of Forests” at the History and Maritime Museum of Rijeka. In
continuation of these activities throughout the International Year of
Forests 2011, PI “Priroda” plans to participate in or organise
the following events in the County of Primorje and Gorski Kotar:

• An exhibition on the biological diversity of Eu-Mediterranean forests
  at Punta Križa on Cres Island, in collaboration with the Lošinj Museum
  and the State Institute for Nature Protection (the opening of the exhibition
  is scheduled for the second half of June 2001; plans also involve the
  publication of an exhibition catalogue),
• Setting up the exhibition “The Wonderful World of Forests”
  at the Cres Museum, and publishing a booklet concerning the forests
  of Punta Križa and Tramuntana on Cres Island, in collaboration with
  the Eco Centre Caput Insulae Beli and the Town of Cres,
• Publishing and promoting the book “Biological and Landscape Diversity
  in the Works of Dragutin Hirc”,
• Research on old trees as elements of the biodiversity of the County
  of Primorje and Gorski Kotar (research results to be published in a
  brief report on the Web pages of PI “Priroda” and in the daily
  paper “Novi List”, Photo 1),
• The established research of biodiversity on Lošinj Island in collaboration
  with the “Our Children” Association of Mali Lošinj (research
  will focus on forest ecosystems),
• The established activities in ensuring protection for the brown forest
  frog in Lokve,
• The Open Doors Weekend – a hike along the trail connecting Forest
  Park Golubinjak, Lokvarka Cave and Forest Park Japlenški Vrh,
• The printing and promotion of a book about the old oak trees of Opatija,
• The opening of an instructive trail from Biserujka Cave to Slivanjska
  Cove in celebration of Planet Earth Day,
• Established activities (focusing on forests) in collaboration with
  the Young Guardians of the Environment of the “Our Children”
  Association of Rijeka,
• The design of an instructive trail through Forest Park Golubinjak
  and the development of a tourist brochure/trail guide, in collaboration
  with the Croatian Forest Enterprise, the Delnice Forest Administration
  and the Lokve Forest Area Office.

On our Web pages, we will keep you posted on the development
all these activities and events marking the International Year of Forests
in the County of Primorje and Gorski Kotar.

Photo 1. The Dlito forest region at Klana – the “Forest Queen”,
an old beech tree (Photo by M. Randić)