HUMANITA - Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE project

HUMANITA SUMMER SCHOOL – LEARN HOW TO MONITOR VISITORS & THEIR IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT Tourism in protected areas is a delicate matter, requiring a careful balance between conservation and visitor access. The HUMANITA summer school introduces students to evidence-based, participatory management tools that enable them to understand how to assess and monitor impacts of tourism on the environment. Are you a university student in environmental sciences or a protected area ranger eager to learn innovative techniques for visitor and environmental monitoring? Join our Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE funded Summer School and gain hands-on experiences in our four day programme in cutting-edge digital tools for conservation. Learn more about the Summer school, who can apply and how, and what you can learn – follow for more here: https://lnkd.in/dRpqf9KF https://lnkd.in/d2QKtXwG Photo: Urosh Grabner #humanita #Interreg #InterregCentralEurope #tourism #researchanddevelopment #sustainability #greenerCentralEurope #commonheritage #environmentalprotection #svfuniza #euracresearch #unipr #Notitia #unescochair #fhkaernten #cooperationiscentral #unesco_mca #visitgeoparkkarawanken #npmalafatra #CEEweb #kamenjak #PNATE #BNPI

https://lnkd.in/emVkKDGe #humanita #Interreg #InterregCentralEurope #tourism #researchanddevelopment #sustainability #greenerCentralEurope #commonheritage #environmentalprotection #svfuniza #euracresearch #unipr #Notitia #unescochair #fhkaernten #cooperationiscentral #unesco_mca #visitgeoparkkarawanken #npmalafatra #CEEweb #kamenjak #PNATE #BNPI

https://lnkd.in/emVkKDGe #humanita #Interreg #InterregCentralEurope #tourism #researchanddevelopment #sustainability #greenerCentralEurope #commonheritage #environmentalprotection #svfuniza #euracresearch #unipr #Notitia #unescochair #fhkaernten #cooperationiscentral #unesco_mca #visitgeoparkkarawanken #npmalafatra #CEEweb #kamenjak #PNATE #BNPI

https://lnkd.in/emVkKDGe #humanita #Interreg #InterregCentralEurope #tourism #researchanddevelopment #sustainability #greenerCentralEurope #commonheritage #environmentalprotection #svfuniza #euracresearch #unipr #Notitia #unescochair #fhkaernten #cooperationiscentral #unesco_mca #visitgeoparkkarawanken #npmalafatra #CEEweb #kamenjak #PNATE #BNPI

TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW ARTICLE ABOUT HUMANITA ON RETICULA JOURNAL OF THE ITALIAN INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND RESEARCH We are thrilled to announce that the article "Outdoor activities in Protected Areas: Fostering attitude and awareness for effective co-responsibility" on ISPRA’s technical journal Reticula is finally out! The article is authored by the team of Institute for Regional Development - Eurac Research and Università di Parma, partners of the HUMANITA project. The article explores how the growing interest in outdoor activities in protected areas is both a remarkable opportunity and a complex challenge. Through the analysis of the activities carried out by the HUMANITA project, the piece highlights the critical need to balance visitors’ enjoyment with the protection of the natural ecosystems, promoting shared responsibility among tourists through education, dialogue, and awareness of the environmental impacts of human behavior. Discover the full article here 👉 Reticula n. 37/2024 Monographic Number — English: https://lnkd.in/dTPmnU85 https://lnkd.in/emVkKDGe #humanita #Interreg #InterregCentralEurope #tourism #researchanddevelopment #sustainability #greenerCentralEurope #commonheritage #environmentalprotection #svfuniza #euracresearch #unipr #Notitia #unescochair #fhkaernten #cooperationiscentral #unesco_mca #visitgeoparkkarawanken #npmalafatra #CEEweb #kamenjak #PNATE #BNPI

https://lnkd.in/emVkKDGe #humanita #Interreg #InterregCentralEurope #tourism #researchanddevelopment #sustainability #greenerCentralEurope #commonheritage #environmentalprotection #svfuniza #euracresearch #unipr #Notitia #unescochair #fhkaernten #cooperationiscentral #unesco_mca #visitgeoparkkarawanken #npmalafatra #CEEweb #kamenjak #PNATE #BNPI

As we approach the end of this year, we want to thank you for being a part of our HUMANITA community, and invite you to continue with us in the New Year, keeping in our view the importance of protecting the environment, and each other. Follow us for new insights on human-nature interactions and impacts of tourist activities on protected areas. We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! https://lnkd.in/emVkKDGe #humanita #Interreg #InterregCentralEurope #tourism #researchanddevelopment #sustainability #greenerCentralEurope #commonheritage #environmentalprotection #svfuniza #euracresearch #unipr #Notitia #unescochair #fhkaernten #cooperationiscentral #unesco_mca #visitgeoparkkarawanken #npmalafatra #CEEweb #kamenjak #PNATE #BNPI

https://lnkd.in/emVkKDGe #humanita #Interreg #InterregCentralEurope #tourism #researchanddevelopment #sustainability #greenerCentralEurope #commonheritage #environmentalprotection #svfuniza #euracresearch #unipr #Notitia #unescochair #fhkaernten #cooperationiscentral #unesco_mca #visitgeoparkkarawanken #npmalafatra #CEEweb #kamenjak #PNATE #BNPI

In Spring 2024 monitoring of earthworm populations began in Lower Kamenjak, focusing on their role in soil health and their potential as bioindicators of microplastic pollution. The study identified five earthworm species, with a focus on the unique Octodrilus istrianus. The research findings showed that this species is present in specific habitats with deeper soils, indicating its sensitivity to environmental changes and human activities. The greatest threats to earthworms are habitat loss, intensive agriculture, an increased wild boar population, and heightened tourist activity that disrupts habitats and microecosystems. The assessment of microplastic particle concentrations in the Lower Kamenjak area involved the successful extraction of microplastic particles from a total of 150 soil samples, providing crucial insights into the level of microplastic pollution in Kamenjak. The distribution of microplastic particles shows that areas near popular trails, main roads, and tourist zones tended to have higher concentrations. Interestingly, microplastics were also found in relatively isolated locations not directly exposed to human activities, suggesting that these particles can be transported through wind, rain, or waterways. Despite significant variability in particle numbers and pollution levels within expected ranges for such areas, microplastics present a potential threat to this ecosystem, especially in locations with increased human activity. The results showed that earthworms could be important indicators for monitoring the environmental impact of tourism, particularly in sensitive ecosystems like Lower Kamenjak. Recommended measures include introducing low-intensity livestock grazing to prevent habitat succession, controlling the wild boar population, managing tourist activities, and raising public awareness through educational materials and programs. Photo: Branimir Hackenberger Kutuzović https://lnkd.in/emVkKDGe #humanita #Interreg #InterregCentralEurope #tourism #researchanddevelopment #sustainability #greenerCentralEurope #commonheritage #environmentalprotection #svfuniza #euracresearch #unipr #Notitia #unescochair #fhkaernten #cooperationiscentral #unesco_mca #visitgeoparkkarawanken #npmalafatra #CEEweb #kamenjak #PNATE #BNPI

Through the HUMANITA project, a new parking management system has been introduced at Lower Kamenjak to manage visitor flow and reduce environmental impact. The system features solar-powered cameras and LED panels to monitor vehicle entry and parking availability in real-time. The system includes 13 new solar power plants, upgrades to 8 existing panels, and 10 high-tech cameras with laser technology. Large LED panels at the park entrance and smaller ones at each parking zone provide visitors with real-time parking information, helping reduce congestion and direct them to less crowded areas. In addition, data from Strava Metro is being integrated to track visitor movement patterns and improve park management. These upgrades make the system both efficient and eco-friendly, reducing the park’s carbon footprint while enhancing the visitor experience. Thanks to these technological upgrades, the new system helps visitors quickly locate available parking spaces. By using solar energy, the system is both eco-friendly and efficient, reducing the park’s carbon footprint while enhancing the overall visitor experience. Long-term monitoring will track visitor behavior trends, providing valuable insights to support conservation efforts while addressing the needs of park visitors. Ongoing maintenance and updates will ensure the system remains effective and continues to provide accurate data. https://lnkd.in/emVkKDGe #humanita #Interreg #InterregCentralEurope #tourism #researchanddevelopment #sustainability #greenerCentralEurope #commonheritage #environmentalprotection #svfuniza #euracresearch #unipr #Notitia #unescochair #fhkaernten #cooperationiscentral #unesco_mca #visitgeoparkkarawanken #npmalafatra #CEEweb #kamenjak #PNATE #BNPI