On May 16, 2024, DANUBEPARKS proudly hosted the online kick-off conference for our new project: DANUBEdragonCONSERVATION - Danube-wide conservation of the Great Crested Newt (Triturus dobrogicus), known as the "Danube Dragon". This charismatic and endemic species is a key indicator of habitat changes, making it an ideal flagship species for habitat restoration along the Danube River.
The kick-off conference began with Vlatko Rožac, President of DANUBEPARKS, presenting the project's context, activities, and future perspectives. This was followed by an overview of the project sites and their current status provided by the project beneficiaries.
Elena Kmetova-Biro then detailed the project's budget, timeline, and cash flow, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned on the financial and temporal aspects of the initiative. Matej Marušić addressed the crucial elements of reporting and communication to maintain transparency and effective dissemination of project progress and results.
One of the key focuses of the DANUBEdragonCONSERVATION project is the development and implementation of an Action Plan for Danube Dragon Conservation. Representatives of The Societas Europaea Herpetologica (SEH) also joined the conference and agreed to work on the development of this Action Plan together with DANUBEPARKS.
Also, within this project, Danube-wide eDNA monitoring will be coordinated by DANUBEPARKS. These methods will help in accurately tracking and analyzing the presence and status of the Great Crested Newt populations along the Danube.
The conference concluded with an open discussion session, allowing participants to engage in a Q&A, fostering collaboration and shared understanding among all stakeholders involved in this significant conservation effort.
We are excited about the future of the DANUBEdragonCONSERVATION project and are committed to making a substantial impact on the conservation of the "Danube Dragon" and its habitats in the Danube River Basin!
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For more information:
Matej Marušić, DANUBEdragonCONSERVATION project manager, email: [email protected]