On the European Parks Day, 24 May 2025, the first Croatian Junior Ranger group of young nature conservationists began work in the Krka National Park based on an agreement on cooperation between the Junior Ranger and Youth+ programs signed between the Krka National Park and the Europarc Federation, the largest European network of protected areas.
The Junior Ranger group of the Krka National Park consists of about twenty young nature guards, who regularly meet in the Park to learn about its natural and cultural-historical features. The workshop program is designed specifically for them to advance in knowledge and wisdom, acquire skills for navigating in nature, and learn about diverse ecosystems, and thus develop awareness of the need for nature protection and environmental conservation.
Founded in 1973, the Europarc Federation organization strongly supports the involvement of young people in nature protection. It does this through two initiatives: the Junior Ranger program, for children from twelve to eighteen years old, and the Youth+ program, for young people from eighteen to thirty years old. Junior Ranger program, za djecu od dvanaest do osamnaest godina, i Youth+ program, za mlade od osamnaest do trideset godina.
Activities within the Junior Ranger and Youth+ programs are promoted through the EUROPARC network of protected areas. Direct cooperation between Junior Rangers and and guardians of nature in the protected areas is encouraged to transfer knowledge and skills to younger generations, as well as to encourage international cooperation and networking between mentors and young rangers from varied countries.
Through the Cooperation Agreement, the partners commit to facilitating international cooperation among children and young people, nature guardians and mentors. Together, the partners promote the implementation of the Youth Manifesto, supporting the stronger involvement of young people in the active overseeing of protected area and encouraging them to explore, learn, and preserve protected areas, especially those located in their nearby vicinity.
In accordance with EUROPARC standards, the Croatian Junior Ranger logo was created and the Republic of Croatia is now officially part of the EUROPARC community of young nature rangers.
The Junior Ranger group of the Krka National Park was formed as one of the activities of the project "Raising environmental awareness among young people from protected areas".
EUROPARC Protected Areas In-Sight 2025 (pages 30 - 31)
junior ranger program
JOŠ NOVOSTI IZ KATEGORIJE
Istraživanje i kreativno mapiranje
Junior Rangeri Nacionalnog parka Krka istražili su prostorni raspored sadržaja u Eko kampusu „Krka“, koji će im ubuduće služiti kao polazišna točka za učenje o prirodnim i kulturnopovijesnim vrijednostima Parka
The view through a nature guard's binoculars
U edukativnoj šetnji, čuvari prirode Nacionalnog parka Krka upoznali su mlade Junior Rangere s posebnostima njihovih radnih zadataka
A new generation of Junior Rangers has gathered in Krka National Park
Interest has been growing for the Junior Rangers activities: the youngest guardians of nature investigated the protected natural features in the vicinity of their homes last weekend.
The Junior Rangers of the Krka National Park introduced young children from kindergartens to pollinators
The Krka National Park, in cooperation with the Drača Beekeepers' Association of Knin, has joined the national reading challenge "15 by 15: All of Croatia reads to children".
The Krka National Park celebrated its birthday with young people dedicated to the protection of nature
The 41st birthday of the Krka National park was celebrated in nature: appropriate activities were designed to encourage young people to undertake a more active role in its protection.
Forty young nature conservationists dedicatedly explored the exceptional features of the Krka National Park
Junior Rangers from Croatia and Latvia, and scouts from Finland, gathered in the Krka National Park to get to know each other and to exchange knowledge and experiences in the mission of preserving nature and the environment.
The Educational Workshop on What's that crawling around the Krka?
Due to its biodiversity, the Roški slap waterfall proved to be an ideal place to hold a school in nature: the junior rangers of the Krka National Park improved their knowledge of spiders, reptiles, and amphibians.
Biodiversity in the focus of the Junior Rangers
Interesting programmes are held in the Krka National Park during the summer holidays that bring together children and young people eager for knowledge about the natural heritage and the preservation of habitats and species