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
Large and small guardians together for nature
The first Croatian Junior Ranger group of young nature conservationists gathered in the Krka National Park for their second workshop, where they learned about pollinator species, among which bees are particularly important, as they play a key role in preserving biodiversity.
Together for nature: the first group of Junior Rangers has been formed at the Krka National Park
On the European Day of Parks, May 24th, the first Croatian Junior Ranger group of young nature conservationists began operating in the Krka National Park; an agreement on cooperation in the Junior Ranger and Youth+ programs was signed with the Europarc Federation
The visual aspect of the project "Raising environmental awareness among young people from protected areas" has successfully been designed
The Erasmus+ project, fully funded by the European Union, has acquired a visual identity uniting the natural features of protected areas in three European countries
Representatives of Krka National Park visit Latvian national parks
As part of an Erasmus+ project, fully financed by the European Union, Latvian national parks presented their rich biodiversity and well preserved ecosystems
Representatives of the Krka National Park in a return visit to colleagues from Finland
Young people between the ages of thirteen and thirty are being more actively involved in the protection of nature and the environment through the Erasmus+ project “Raising environmental awareness among young people from protected areas”, which is fully financed by the European Union.
The Krka National Park hosted partners from Latvia and Finland
The goal of the Erasmus+ project “Raising environmental awareness among young people in protected areas” is to involve young people between the ages of thirteen and thirty in activities relating to the protection of nature and the environment
Erasmus+ in the Service of Education of Young People from Protected Areas
The Public Institute of Krka National Park is a partner on the project Environmental Awareness-Rising of Young People from Protected Areas (2023-3-LV02-KA210-YOU-000170610) funded under the Erasmus+ programme