In a volunteer program, more than a thousand plants of tree-of-heaven were removed in the area of Skradinski buk

On June 12, 2026, the volunteer program "Guardians of Native Species Habitats" was held in the Krka National Park, in which eighty employees of the KING ICT firm participated.

Through education about the natural features of the Park and field work on the removal of the invasive alien plant species tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), the participants have made a valuable contribution to preserving the biodiversity of one of the most valuable protected areas in Croatia.

The program began with an educational walk through the Skradinski buk area, during which volunteers were introduced to the natural and cultural heritage of the Krka National Park, and the activities carried out to protect its sensitive habitats. Special attention was paid to the problem of invasive alien plant species and the results of the LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus project, which has been systematically suppressing the spread of tree-of-heaven in the Park area in recent years.

The introductory part was followed by field work in the Skradinski buk area. Under the expert guidance of Krka National Park staff, the volunteers mechanically removed young plants of the tree-of-heaven, one of the most invasive plant species in Europe. During the program, more than a thousand shoots were removed, making a concrete contribution to the preservation of indigenous plant communities and Natura 2000 habitats. All the collected plant material was properly disposed of so as to prevent its further spread.

Due to its exceptional ability to spread, the tree-of-heaven is a serious threat to natural ecosystems, as it suppresses native plant species and disrupts the balance of habitats. This is why its removal is one of the important activities in the implementation of nature conservation measures in the Krka National Park, where biodiversity protection is based on long-term monitoring of the state of natural features and active management of valuable habitats.

The volunteer program "Guardians of Native Species Habitats" once again confirmed that cooperation between public institutions and the business sector can yield concrete results in the protection of nature. In addition to contributing to the preservation of valuable habitats in the Krka National Park with their work, the participants gained new knowledge about the challenges of managing invasive species and the importance of joint action in preserving the natural heritage for future generations.